Travel back in time to a Renaissance village
By Maryland Renaissance Festival
August 13, 2024
Every year, hundreds of actors and performers transform into authentic Renaissance village characters to entertain at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. For some, the tradition has become a bit like a quirky family reunion.
“[The festival] is like a great equalizer; everybody is a peasant with the opportunity to be anything they want,” said Michael Hilby, who has performed as the Skinny German Juggle Boy for the past 28 years. “It’s a great fusion of all the different idiosyncrasies we have in this country – I love it!”
In addition to juggling and other stage acts, these performers entertain patrons who visit the Festival’s 27-acre permanent replica Tudor village, called Revel Grove, by acting out Shakespearean plays, playing music, jousting and even displaying period weaponry.
The village features over 100 live acts continuously across ten stages, including their own replica of London’s Globe Theatre, the home associated with William Shakespeare’s plays. Liz Demery performs there several times a day in the character of Daisy O’Danny, delivering cheeky versions of popular songs and comedic translations of Shakespearean tragedies.
“You’ll see Shakespeare plays, both silly versions and more traditional versions, as well as death scenes and sword fighting,” said Demery. “You can’t see it all in one day!”
Patrons to the Festival can also explore the works of over 140 juried craftspeople, who sell homemade treasures from jewelry, sculpture and glasswork to intricate wooden puzzles. There’s no better way to blend in with the locals of Revel Grove than purchasing your own traditional Renaissance-era clothing.
“If you want to really be in the event, get an outfit,” said James Frank, who performs as Nymblewyke, the leader of Revel Grove’s militia tent. “In an outfit, you enjoy a totally different show than coming as a normal patron.”
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