Festival of Fools

Festival of Fools (Every Man is King and Every King a Fool!)
Medieval Mirth and Merriment
Coming in 2008!
Hagan Community Park, Rancho Cordova CA

The Festival of Fools, or Feast of Fools, was a medieval festival carried out from the 5th-16th century. The central idea was a brief social revolution, in which power, dignity and impunity is briefly conferred on those in a subordinate position. During this day the young people of the village would elect a King of Fools or Lord of Misrule to represent the nobility and lord over the event. On this day rules were tossed aside and people were able to play. Simple people were kings and clergy. Higher up classes such as knights, lords, ladies, etc. did the tasks of villagers and the villagers were able to order them around. Villagers donned masks, danced, sang, and held contests –such as the ugliest face contest depicted in Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Casting Call We are currently seeking actors/actresses for:

Wandering merchants (this includes apple girl, flower girl, man with bread all in baskets. stock provided)

Revelers/Wandering villagers with and without festival costumes.

Fictional merchants for standing props (aka fruit stand/bread stand)

Drunkards, beggars, thieves, cripples (willing to play with crowd)

Constables (to interact with drunkards, beggars, thieves, and gypsies. not responsible for faire security.)

Clergy/Fake clergy (real clergy offering blessings and attempting to get people to go home and fake clergy offering foolish blessings and indulgences.)

Gypsies (roaming, dancing, singing,)

Town Crier (announce events, shout time on the hour)

Jesters/Street Performers (both good and BAD. It is completely acceptable to be a buffoon, remember today the butcher can decide to be a juggler.)

Hunchback (we are not re-enacting Notre Dame but we need a hunchback roaming about for flavor.)

Please contact Lorna for more information.