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Make the Renaissance Come Alive

This year, make the renaissance come alive for both your performers and audience with Madrigal Dinner Scripts from Paul Brandvik and Knight Shtick Press.

Build the confidence of your singers as they develop their solo and acting talents and begin a treasured tradition for your community while raising funds and building your program with what you know how to do best – music!

Each Madrigal Dinner script contains everything you need for a complete evening’s entertainment. Each script includes all dialogue, a renaissance “masque” for 6 -12 performers and a repertoire list with suggestions for all ceremonies and the closing concert.

“May peace be in thy soul, Laughter in thine eyes, Joy in thy voice, And love in thy heart . . . “

Create Your Own Madrigal Dinner

A Madrigal Dinner is a 21st Century re-creation of the Renaissance feasts held in the great baronial halls throughout England during the twelve days of Christmas. If you lived in England during the Sixteenth century and were lucky enough to be one of the favored guests, you would be dazzled with the stunning pageantry, bawdy humor, endless amounts of succulent food, and extraordinary music. The line between sacred and secular would be thinly drawn. One moment you might be regaled with the most risque humor and the next you might listen to, or sing, the most exquisite and ethereal sacred music.

In our 21st Century recreation of these feasts, the entertainment, though not as risque, is nevertheless every bit as dazzling. The royal court, with the King and Queen, and a possible profusion of cast members including a court jester, wandering minstrels, itinerant actors, recorders, brass ensembles, puppeteers, wizards, jugglers, mimes, and all sorts of characters, combine in their early English dialogue, laughter, and songs to bring to the audience a wonderful immersion into Renaissance England. The ambiance of the evening is one of warmth, laughter, love and joy.

Most Madrigal Dinners use a Renaissance “masque,” or play during the evening as the focus of the entertainment. The masque generally ties together the main theme of the event, beginning with a welcome by the Jester and continuing through short entertainments during the meal, culminating in the presentation of the masque itself. Usually a short concert by the Royal Court, or members of the choir follows the play.

Most scripts were written to be used during the Christmas season. However, they may be used at any time of the year with some slight modifications made to the choice of music. With some of the scripts a secular concert of madrigals is suggested. Many of the major characters may be played by either male or female actors, with the exception of the king and queen.

Our Scripts Provide All Dialogue

Our scripts provide all dialogue for the entire evening’s entertainment, including the Welcome, The Wassail and the Boar’s Head festivities, possible running gags during the meal, the play following the dessert, introductions to the various pieces of music and the farewell. The scripts also give suggestions for appropriate music.

With these scripts, while there there is no need to write additional text, there is opportunity to personalize the humor and relate to local people and events. Many of the scripts involve audience participation, much to the delight of the audience and the performers.

We are confident that you will find a script that is unique to your situation and needs and be well on your way to a successful performance!