Do the entire thing in Rhyme like a madrigal….
The jester is given a test…he must come up with a rhyme for “winery” or “Christmas” or “Oakford” or he dies.
Get their songs ahead of time and make them a part of the show.
How many acts?
We are at the Lodge...what about a skit featuring Henry VIII on The Dating Game? We can play the theme on a harpsichord. Jester would be Emcee? (or Jester in drag?)
A few ideas: • Henry (might be played by me) as the bachelor • Jester has agreed to be the emcee • Have several women, including one dressed in drag as the contestants/suitors, including: Catherine (who he divorced), Ann (who he hooked-up-with, married, started the new church for, then had beheaded), then some of the others he later married, etc. Here is the list from wiki... • Spouse • Catherine of Aragon (annulled) • Anne Boleyn (widower) • Jane Seymour (widower) • Anne of Cleves (annulled) • Catherine Howard (widower) • Catherine Parr (widow) • Henry's likes & dislikes? Likes women, Dislikes Pope, loves parties & dancing, loves marriages & annulling them • Henry's hobbies? Trying to sire a male heir, invading France, creating a new church, being excommunicated, dating, sending people to the Tower of London, beheading those who disagree with him, watching sunsets, long walks on the beach... Opening: Torches (John Joubert)
Processional: Personent Hodie (Piae Cantiones, arr. by John Rutter)
Pre-dinner: Esto Les Digo Somersent Wassail Boar's Head Carol We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Dinner: My Bonnie Lass She Smelleth (PDQ Bach) Dances (period dances) Skit would go here, part 1
Concert: Carol (Linda Williams...When Jesus Christ was four years old, the angels brought him toys of gold...) Jabula Jesu Magnificat Mary's Lullaby Music's Echo O Sacrum Convivium What Is This Lovely Fragrance Skit would go somewhere in here, part 2
Closer: A Choral Flourish