arts & culture | girls with glasses

All the faire’s a stage

By NICOLE WHITE and GINA DVORAK

WITH a lusty huzzah, a mighty chorus of “God save the queen,” and a new cast of zany historically- inspired characters, the Renaissance Pleasure Faire has opened for the 2008 season."

By now, thousands have streamed through the gates to enjoy the many pleasures of the faire, like beer, buxom beauties and — we’re not afraid to say it — brains."

That’s right, brains. While the event gets plenty of attention for the fine brews at its ale stands, as well as its witty wenches, we think it’s time to set the record straight on its brains."

There’s history to be had in every corner. This year, the faire is set in Port Deptford, based on a real city in England."

The port setting is allowing the faire to explore more cultures of the period, and there’s a careful balance struck between entertainment and education."

“We’re doing theater,” said Terri Casey, who hails from San Bernardino. She’s been playing Elizabeth Hardwick, Countess of Shrewsberry, for about eight years and has performed at the faire for decades. “No different than being at The Pantages doing ‘Wicked’ — except they have a script."

Elizabeth Hardwick is a real historical figure, and an unorthodox woman for her time. She was born the daughter of a yeoman, and by the time she died she was the richest woman in all of England."

Of course, it’s rare for a customer to want to sit down and hear the countess’ entire history, so Casey finds ways to draw the curious in and involve them in a conversation."

“Don’t be shy,” she advises Renaissance Faire-goers."

“Walk up to someone who piques your interest — either in what they’re doing or what they’re wearing — and ask them questions."

Many groups at the faire are very dedicated to history. The military groups are eager to share their knowledge of the weapons of the period. Groups like Saint Ives and Saint Cuthburts can showcase the crafts of the period, often with hands-on demonstrations."

The faire is flexing its intellect in more unorthodox ways, as well."

With a wink and a nod at this year’s presidential election, one of the storylines involves a mayoral race — a four-way dance between a woman who owns the local tavern, an Italian who runs the dock workers, the richest man in town and two pig-farming brothers."

But if the history and political satire don’t take you away, the language might."

“Hail and well met! What be thy tide? And how stands the hour? Grammercy and good morrow."

Huh?

If you need to brush up on your, well, English, harken back to your college days when the test was tomorrow but you’d only made it to Chapter 4 of the novel: Watch the movie. “Shakespeare in Love” chased by “Elizabeth” and its sequel would probably just about do it for faire novices, or so says the faire Web site. (Of course, we would never advocate such short cuts ourselves — read the books, kids!)

If you’re looking for a weekend escape and prefer hassling with taffeta than traffic, allow the good sirs and good mistresses of the Renaissance Pleasure Faire to pull you back to a simpler time... as long as you can understand what they’re saying."

Renaissance Pleasure Faire
15501 E. Arrow Highway, Irwindale 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through May 18 (626) 969-4750, www.renfair.com/socal