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Concert Series | The Joust | The Stages | Theme Characters | Guilds | Musicians &More |
Queen Elizabeth I
Perhaps the most revered monarch of all time, Queen Elizabeth I brought a renewed sense of glory to England and all of Europe. She reigned as Queen of England, Ireland, Wales and France. Born in 1533, the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn made history by maintaining a newly unified Church of England. Her armies battled against the ever powerful Spanish Armada that was dominantly Catholic. Well educated, incredibly clever, bold and stubborn, Elizabeth I set a precedent for all time as she refused to wed in order to sanction an alliance with another country. Most villagers living in a small country town would rarely get the chance to see the queen in their lifetime. A visit from her was certainly worthy of a massive celebration, perhaps, even a faire.
Portrayed by Deirdre Sargent
Sir Francis Drake
Drake was one of the great English folk heroes who emerged from obscurity by virtue of his own endeavors to become a person of substance in Elizabethan society and history. Drake was a supreme seaman and had great instinct at sea. His love of country, queen, and protestant faith would help keep him in good favor with the Queen. Drake would go on to command ships such as the Revenge that led the attack on the Spanish Armada, and earlier the famous Golden Hind. The Queen in 1580 would knight him for his good service to his queen and country. Drake's voyage around the world remains one of the greatest journeys ever undertaken.
Portrayed by Will Wood
William Shakespeare
Who would have thought that a Glover's son, with less than a high school education from a town 130 miles away would become one of London's and the worlds most beloved and respected playwrights for all the ages. During the Elizabethan reign, this poet and playwright would write, produce, direct, and play in dozens of plays and write 154 sonnets chronicling his life, loves, tragedies, and joys. He and fellow poets such as Kit Marlow, Richard Burbage, Ben Johnson and Thomas Kyd performed in the new and sometimes dangerous form of entertainment called theater. History would later reveal him to be the most famous poet and playwright in recorded history.
Portrayed by name Jessie Dunn
Mayor Sherwood Scratchit
A native son of Willingtown, Sherwood has always aspired to be a great poet and playwright but lacks one key element - talent. In fact his prose has been known to clear a room faster than the threat of the plaque. The villagers bonded together in a united plan to save Sherwood from himself by presenting him with the perfect diversion, the all important role of Mayor of Willingtown. Mayor Scratchit can usually be found in the vicinity of the Coughing Sheep Tavern.
Portrayed by Martin Matthewson
Mistress Winifred Scratchit
Winifred was born in the neighboring village of Netherwallop. She found herself widowed at an early age as the result of a tragic bear baiting accident. Some years later while shopping in Willingtown, she bumped into Sherwood (literally) and couldn't resist his clumsy charms. They were married soon after and now Winifred oversees the local mercantile guilds.
Portrayed by Valerie Fredericks
Phoebe Willing Tipswell Pullit Scratchit Manwich
Also known as the Merry Widow of Willingtown, Phoebe stands as the village matriarch. She descended from first generation Willings and has been married to several of Willingtown's mayors. Current Mayor Sherwood Scratchit is the nephew of one of Phoebe's late husbands. Phoebe fancy's herself as a bit of a philanthropist and as a patron of the arts. (Rumor has it told that all of Phoebe's late husbands are buried throughout the village under the various stages she has donated.
Portrayed by Suzanne Honor
Mistress Gywneth Taylor
Daughter of the founding Willings Family, sister to Dame Phoebe and aunt to Mayor Sherwood Scratchit, Gywneth is married to the Master Taylor of Willington. She enjoys an extravagant lifestyle, is always armed with the latest gossip and is a frequent "partner in crime" to Dame Phoebe.
Portrayed by Terry Crabb
Sir Walter Raleigh
Sir Walter Raleigh, born the youngest of five sons lived an extraordinary and often controversial life. He was a soldier, an explorer, an officer of various titles and the subject of myths and legends. He came into favor with Queen Elizabeth and was knighted in 1585. He was skilled in the ways of wooing being an accomplished poet. Sir Walter accompanies Her Grace on her countryside progress to Willingtown Faire at the request of Her Majesty. Faire revelers may discover that good Sir Walter's verse is powerful but his sword is mightier.
Portrayed by John Tripp
Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester
Sir Robert Dudley, the dashing Earl of Leicester, has been the Queen's closest companion since childhood, is currently her Master of the Horse and is never far from her side. Born under a shadow of treason, his father and grandfather were executed traitors, however, Leicester is fiercely loyal to the Queen. What does it matter if the Court dislikes him for their closeness? The Queen needs to marry and he can think of no one better for the job than himself. Will the Queen decide to marry the charismatic Earl or will matters of State supersede matters of the heart?
Portrayed by David Wine
Benjamin Kite
The Master of the Revels
For the benefit of Master Kite there will be a show tonight. Benjamin Kite fills the all important role as grand ringmaster of all the entertainment and revelry presented before her Majesty, Elizabeth Gloriana. Master Kite is paying a special visit to Willingtown to insure that the little village is prepared with the finest shows and most spirited entertainers in all of England.
Portrayed by Dennis Michael
Henrietta Haypenny
The Mistress of Misrule
From the noble court of Elizabeth Tudor, one mischievous and beautiful fool shines supreme amongst her own court of Misrule. Haypenny as she is known in London, was summoned to appear by Willingtown's resident noblewoman, Lady Darby for the entertainment and pleasure of Her Royal Majesty.
Portrayed by Lindsay Ferguson
Boink
The King of Fools
Boink, the self-proclaimed "King of Fools" is Her Majesty's personal Court Jester. Born in a manger to a humble family of cheesemakers, Boink hit the road at the age of three, to seek his fame and fortune. He set out to make his mark in London but went the wrong way and ended up in Scotland instead. After many years of traveling the World, honing his wit, perfecting his miniature sheep juggling and indulging his love of cheese, Boink finally returned to London. He was received in Court after he threw himself in front of the Queen's horse and refused to move until she listened to his newest jest involving a Puritan, a Constable and a duck. In the middle of the jest, Boink single-handedly foiled a plot to harm the Queen, sailing into a group of "conspirators" which turned out to be a few Maids of Honor and a monger selling buckets of scrumpy cider. The ensuing debacle so amused the Queen, she had him brought to the palace and he has been with her ever since, lifting her spirits when she is troubled and mocking the Nobles for her amusement.
Portrayed by Eric Sims
Sheriff Craven Bates
A troublesome menace to the good people of Willingtown. He is constantly cooking up new and devious ways to separate the hard working citizens and their money.
Portrayed by Andrew Elkins