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A Midwinter Tale: In the Court of the Holly King

Synopsis: “What is a myth? The dictionary definition of a myth would be stories about gods.... What is a god? A god is a personification of a motivating power or value system that functions in human life and in the universe -- the powers of your own body and of nature. The myths are metaphorical of spiritual potentiality in the human being, and the same powers that animate our life animate the life of the world...” Joseph Campbell, The Power of Myth

“We ... need to reawaken something very old ... our understanding of Earth wisdom. We need to accept the invitation to the dance -- the dance of unity of humans, plants, the Earth.” Bill Devall and George Sessions, Deep Ecology

A Midwinter Tale: In the Court of the Holly King is the oldest tale. The story you’ve known before you were born. When the darkest night of winter is upon us, the Kings of Holly and Oak meet in a place not of this place, a time not of this time when the doors that let magic in are open.

Cast: Lucy, The Child of Light brings her lantern into a dark wood, where a Deer Maiden opens the doors of magic. A Hunter is lost, finding his way to the Court of the Holly King, it’s known by his token (a Magic Ring) that the yearly duel between the waxing and waning year will be fought – A mystery play, a romp, a night of frivolity and feasting – ritual theatre at it’s best. We will use dance, music, and – of course – drama to tell this tale at Midwinter. These are all singing roles. (Subject to change.) Lucy, The Child of Light- a child under 10. She is the harbinger of the waxing light. Father Christmas – the Welcomed and beloved visitor of the Season. Deer Maiden –, she is the Leanannan Sidhi, a skogsfru, Bonga Maiden – a graceful a faery - a Moon Maiden of the deep forest: she opens the doors to let magic in. Sometimes youthfully innocent, sometimes a dark seductress. The inspiration of poets in Europe and America alike, you can seek her forever and never catch her. But – if you are still … and … silent, in a deep place of the forest, she is there, she has always been there. Holly: - The King of the Waning Year – stately, a bit pompous, a little white in his hair, but as merry as the next cup of ale. Oak: - The King of the Waxing Year – youthful and energetic. A bit of Robyn i’ the Hode¹, a little bit of Jack – he arrives from the Age of Romance and Chivalry bearing his sword and Heroic Profile. Some fight experience is helpful for these roles. (Please note: be prepared to work with the fight director outside of rehearsal time.) Thorn: Winter's Queen. The beauty of icy branches against a pale sky promising snow, the welcoming cup, the hearthfire. The hush of a snowy path, the violence of a winter’s storm: These are her mysteries Rose: Summer's Queen-in-the-Underworld (pomegranates, faded roses, and black lace) The Fool: a wise fool, a trickster, a nonesuch, a nonpareil - but, a fool none-the-less (Not a clown or joker) Betty: A real woman who likes to swing! (Played by a man.) Erasmus Brown, Q.D. (Quack Doctor): The best Quack in this here town! Dance team (right now, Spot on Sword from Marin has shown interest). Musicians: Please contact Lauren Hotchkiss, music director at: laurhot@gmail.com. Needed: percussion, penny whistle, strings, acoustic folk instruments of all kinds are welcome and some electric are OK.