#bacchanalians

[creature-wizard]

Finding information that confirms another suspicion of mine: the global satanic conspiracy narrative can be traced back to allegations made against the Cult of Dionysus/Bacchus.

The following was written by Livy in 186 BCE (long before Rome was Christianized!):

Hispala then gave a full account of the origin of the mysteries. At first," she said, "those rites were performed by women. No man used to be admitted. They had three stated days in the year on which persons were initiated among the Bacchanalians, in the daytime. The matrons used to be appointed priestesses, in rotation. Paculla Minia, a Campanian, when priestess, made an alteration in every particular, as if by the direction of the gods. For she first introduced men, who were her own sons, Minucius and Herrenius, both surnamed Cerrinius; changed the time of celebration, from day to night; and, instead of three days in the year, appointed five days of initiation, in each month. From the time that the rites were thus made common, and men were intermixed with women, and the licentious freedom of the night was added, there was nothing wicked, nothing flagitious, that had not been practiced among them. There were more frequent pollution of men with each other than with women. If any were less patient in submitting to dishonor, or more averse to the commission of vice, they were sacrificed as victims. To think nothing unlawful was the grand maxim of their religion. The men, as if bereft of reason, uttered predictions, with frantic contortions of their bodies; the women, in the habit of Bacchantes, with their hair disheveled, and carrying blazing torches, ran down to the Tiber; where, dipping their torches in the water, they drew them up again with the flame unextinguished, being composed of native sulphur and charcoal. They said that those men were carried off by the gods, whom the machines laid hold of and dragged from their view into secret caves. These were such as refused to take the oath of the society, or to associate in their crimes, or to submit to defilement. This number was exceedingly great now, almost a second state in themselves, and among them were many men and women of noble families. During the last two years it had been a rule, that no person above the age of twenty should be initiated; for they sought for people of such age as made them more liable to suffer deception and personal abuse.

Gay sex! Human sacrifice! Child abuse! Subverting all things good and lawful as religious praxis! Infiltrating every level of society! It's all right here in this pre-Christian Roman conspiracy theory.

[parf-fan]

Hello, I am alive, PARF-fan content is not necessarily resuming at this point because capitalism exists and abelism exists and I don’t get enough sleep these days even without spending time actively updating this blog.

BUT!

As anyone who subscribes to Mount Hope’s newsletter or follows them on the magical Book of Faces undoubtedly already knows, the Faire is a go for September and October, albeit under very strict perimeters.  There will be no streetwork, and thus no Blackfryars, and but a skeleton crew of Bacchanalians.  Out-of-house acts are likewise reduced.  I’m frankly too tired to rephrase everything right about now, so I’m going to just drop the image from the Faire’s facebook page here.  I’ve pasted the text from the email below it, if that’s more your speed. (I think the contents are the same, but I haven’t done a side-by-side comparison.)

Greetings!

I am excited beyond words that we are soon able open to celebrate the 40th season of the glorious Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire.  It certainly isn't how we had hoped to commemorate this momentous milestone, but, in a way, this year's Faire experience will harken back to "the olden days" when crowds were smaller and intimacy was the order of the day.

We will operate this Fall significantly different than what we have become accustomed to as we adapt to the new landscape created by COVID-19.

Our maximum daily attendance will be set at 25% of capacity as we swing wide the castle gates. Smaller audiences will ensure safe and socially distanced seating at stages and eating areas as well as shorter queuing lines at Faire gates, kitchens and merchant booths.

Advance, date specific tickets will be required in keeping with the strict attendance limitations as directed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

In addition to the reduction of audience size, we will be taking extraordinary efforts to ensure a safe and comfortable Faire day, including CDC approved sanitizer stations at every food booth, merchant booth, and stage area, as well as requirements of face coverings for staff, performers (not performing), vendors and guests throughout their stay, and reminders of social distancing throughout the Faire grounds.

As we are only open weekends, increased sanitation and cleaning using CDC approved cleaning equipment and sanitizers will take place after each Faire day as well as during the week. Every member of our staff will be screened before they begin each Faire day and we will encourage guests to self-monitor their health before joining us at the Faire.

All health and safety information will be published to our website and updated as new policies or procedures are mandated. We will follow the lead of our other great PA amusement and theme parks (including HersheyPark, Dorney Park, Sesame Place and many others) as we carefully monitor Dept of Health policies to assure a safe experience.     As we continue working towards welcoming Her Majesty, our overriding concern is providing a safe Shire for all staff, performers and patrons to put aside life's everyday concerns, even if for but a few short hours.

Since the beginning of this crisis, our choices have been rooted in the health, safety and well-being of hundreds of actors, performers, merchants and staff, as well as the many thousands of patrons who visit to experience the fantasy of the Faire.

With new policies and precautions in place and, with the cooperation of all, we can look forward to sharing a very special 40th Anniversary season together.

Until our paths shall cross again, stay thee safe and fare most well!

Scott Bowser, Proprietor

As far as I understand it, the Faire is taking just about every single precaution short of actually not running this year.  It’ll come down to whether or not they actually enforce the whole hey-patrons-wear-a-mask-and-wear-it-right thing.

But my chief purpose here is to share what, as is their wont, the Faire hath not posted upon their Facebook: the cast list!

At this point, characters have not been announced anywhere; and though a visit to the Faire’s website will yield costumed headshots, those are definitely not going to be the characters – at least not all of them, not unless the plot involves all of time having collapsed even more than usual.

-----------------------------------------------

Bacchanalian Cast 2020

Leigh Ann Hamelin

Jonathan Handley

Mary Huff

Dana Micciché

Joe Penn

Jules Schrader

Adam Shepley

Katelyn Shreiner

Alex Stompoly

Jeff Wolfthal

-----------------------------------------------

My observations:

A small enough cast that the living quarters might actually be spread out enough to be safe for them, THANK GOD.

Looking like there’s likely no in-house combat (only two actors have been on the combat track that I know of), which makes sense.  Also probably no in-house music groups (only two have been on music track that I know of), which also makes sense.  So pretty much improv only, then.  Wise decision, all things considered.

My Lady Dana Micciché hath been robbed of her accent mark on the Faire’s site, but is a Bacchanalian this year?  Hell yes?

I was about to say that the only casting I feel remotely confident will be the same is Mary Huff as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, but then it occurred to me that with so small a cast, the story might well call for not having a royal progress happening this time.  That’s what I would do if I were writing it in this situation.  Then it also occurred to me that having Mary Huff as Queen Elizabeth again would enable the writers to bring back a couple of insanely popular characters that likely would not logistically be able to return otherwise. (I’m referring, of course, to Jonathan Handley and Alex Stompoly as Sirs William Pickering and Henry Carey, respectively, because I stg some patrons of last year only recognize or acknowledge or care about those two.) So now I’m sure of nothing.

I had words I wanted to make about how I would arrange things in this situation, because I am theoretically a writer and like to play what-if sometimes, but no matter how I phrased things, it sounded like I was either trying to predict things or (worse) trying to unsubtlely drop hints directed at the writers and directors about what they should totally do.  Which, nope.

[parf-fan]

CHARACTER NAMES CHARACTER NAMES CHARACTER NAAAAMESSSS!

HI HELLO YES I AM VERY EXCITED RIGHT NOW

Courtesy of a certain actor’s weekly livestream, I knew that some of the characters would be reprisals and some would be new.  As it happens, three are new characters and seven are reprisals.  No character descriptions at this point, but four of the reprisals are from last year, and I shall begin with them, using last year’s descriptions.

Reprised characters with (old) descriptions

Mary Huff :  Queen Elizabeth I – Queen of England

Young and full of hope for the future of her country, Queen Elizabeth I is eager to take part in the day’s festivities and to learn more about the people she is meant to rule. Though she is youthful in appearance, she should not be underestimated. Queen Elizabeth I is intelligent, quick-witted and does not suffer fools lightly.

[This is slightly outdated, as Her Majesty is no longer a brand-new monarch. I also wish to note that the character name as currently listed on the Faire’s website is missing the suffix “I”.]

Jonathan Handley :  Sir William Pickering – Nobleman

Well educated, well bred, well connected. William Pickering has studied at the best schools, spent time among the French court, and is a good friend of Queen Elizabeth; but surely he would never let those things go to his head. He is still a man of the people, with his finger on the gilded pulse of the court.

[The character name as currently listed on the Faire’s website is missing the “Sir” prefix.]

Dana Micciché :  Katherine Champernowne, Lady Kat Ashley – Lady in Waiting

Appointed governess, tutor, friend, and confidante, Lady Kat Ashley ensured that her Queen had all the necessary tools to rule England. Well versed in astronomy, geography, history, Latin, Spanish, Italian, and Flemish, this unassuming woman is also trained in the art of swordsmanship, axe-throwing, archery, and caber tossing! Think you know a little about a lot? Lady Kat knew it first!

[Give 👏 Dana 👏 her 👏 accent-mark 👏 2k20!]

Joe Penn :  Jacob Perry – Sheriff of Mount Hope

He loves putting away bad guys and solving mysteries. The only mystery he cant solve: how to grow up.

[I would like to note that one, as mentioned, that character description is from last season; and two, the character name as currently listed on the Faire’s website does not actually say “Sherrif”. While it is probable that Jacob Perry is, at this point in universe, still a member of law enforcement, that is not currently guaranteed. We shall see.]

And now, let us jump to the new characters, who have neither descriptions nor even occupations listed.

Leigh Ann Hamlin :  Penelope Devereux, Lady Rich

Katelyn Shreiner :  Carmen Southwark

Jeff Wolfthal :  Bruce Muir

[Now this is interesting, because in 2015 Jeff played a character named Finlay Muir, a Scottish prisoner of war (whose character description I can, surprisingly, supply if so requested, despite only attending once that year, because of reasons).  My suspicion is that the character will not be lifted wholesale, but will have distinct similarities, and also be related.]

And the reprisal characters lacking descriptions.

Jules Schrader :  Mags Cockburn

[I’d have a description if I’d posted about the independents last year, but alas! my thoughts and energy were well taken elsewhere.]

Adam Shepley :  Diggory Applebottom

[I am gonna cross my fingers real hard that this is the grandson of Diggory Applebottom of 2017, because that will enable me to continue to interpret this in the same continuity as 2016-2020, which I have frankly been reveling in, as continuity and canon are my absolute jam.] [Sidenote, I’m still salty that character descriptions were not made public for 2017.  And 2018 and 2016, but especially 2017.]

Alex Stompoly :  Sir Walter Roderick Kensington

[*ahem*  EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE thank you.]

[parf-fan]

When I find out a Bacchanalian is younger than me:

Lettering by the incomparable Shitpost Calligrapher, who everybody should commission.

[parf-fan]

Cast list time, baybee!

This year, both casts have been listed in the same section, with no clear division between Bacchanalian and Blackfryar.  Ordinarily, I would dig my teeth into this and use my knowledge of returning cast members combined with past experience of which sort of professions tend to be on which cast, along with the type of headshot provided and checking the internet at large for resumés etc. to piece together who is on which cast.  Having done that, I would then sort the presumed-Bacchs by track as best I might, again using knowledge of the returning actors, character professions, what little character descriptions there are, and what resumés I might be able to find.  Unfortunately, because of reasons that are going to remain vague, I am not doing that this year.  I’d love it if someone else tried their hand at it, though!  I don’t actually have a monopoly on PARF fandom content, believe it or not.  I will also not be providing my usual commentary, mostly because I am extremely tired.  There is a chance I may edit this later to include commentary, but it’s a small one.

All names are copied verbatim from the Faire’s website, rendering any errors theirs and not mine.  I did correct several errors in spelling and grammar in the descriptions.  There are other errors in standardization (or lack thereof, rather) that remain as is, because at this point I could not be bothered.  As I said.  Very Fuxking Tired.

Actor :  Character – Profession or Title

Minuscule character blurb goes here.

Ian Agnew :  William Shakespeare – Playwright / Rogue

Very famous English Playwright. All know of his reputation wherever he may be.

Alexis Amarante :  Isabella Blackwell – Captain of the Queen's Yeoman

The Queen's most trusted protector and confidant.

Abby Armstrong :  Lady Mary Sydney – Lady in Waiting

Countess of Pembroke, one of the most educated women in England and Lady to Her Majesty.

Josh Arnolde :  William Kempe – Actor / Rogue

No one is more dedicated to the dramatic arts and the serious craft of clowning. Part of Shakespeare's thespians.

Xavier Bates :  Nigel Lowe – Carpenter

If you need something made of wood, just go to Lowe's

Kristin Bauer :  Lady Dorothy Stafford – Lady in Waiting

Lady of the court and Mistress of the Robes.

Jordan Bell :  Charlotte Babbage – Pirate / Siren

Gunner and generally filthy pirate aboard The Kraken's Kill.

Lauralette Bernard :  Cadence Marshwarbler – Executioner

An executioner of modest means committed to serving justice and helping criminals quickly to their next life.

Kaz Bitzer :  Octavia Cadenza – Luthier

A successful maker of instruments widely regarded throughout the shire.

Brianna Bloomer :  Donatella Bella – Italian Artist

Painter, sculptor, and purveyor of fine art.

Richard Blosser :  William Weston – Lady Mayor's Accounts Clerk

Employed by the Lady Mayor and charged with accounting for every last shilling.

Tabitha Borges :  Harriet Haddock – Fish Monger

A humble and bright fish aficionado.

Elizabeth Burkholder :  Bernadette N. Slaughter – Baker

Reformed pirate. Bloody good baker.

Madison Caudullo :  Esme Delacroix – Pirate / Siren

Bosun and newly conscripted pirate aboard The Kraken's Kill.

Matthew Glen Clark :  Richard Burbage – Leading Man / Rogue

Seasoned, wealthy leading actor in Shakespeare's troupe of thespians.

Katrina Cook :  Eleanor Colmstoke – Farmer's Daughter

Daughter of Roger Colmstoke and sister to Marigold Colmstoke.

Ashley Crowther : Corporal Nicole Frost – Town Guard

Town watch by day. Town watch also by night. Town watch.

Ashley DeVoe :  Lauren Ipsum – Shire Printer

All official business is conducted in French, so it is only right that this French peasant has become the source for all books, forms, and documents in the shire.

Victoria Falendysh :  Barbara Bellwether – Shepherd

Shephardess from the outskirts of town visiting for the festival.

Elisia Freeman :  Prudence Crawley – Etiquette Mistress

An etiquette mistress with a cockney accent. Some things just fit.

Jeremy Graeff :  Sean O'Leary – Guildmaster

With the new prosperity of the Shire of Mount Hope, someone needed to step forward and run the guilds. Sean drew the short straw.

Corey Graff :  Lord Alexander Radcliffe – Nobleman

Young courtier and twin brother to Lady Margaret.

Steve Hager :  Rip Skeleton – Grave Digger

The only things certain in life are taxes and death. In Mount Hope, the only things certain in life are Mayor Delores Anne Penburthy and Rip Skeleton. Like we said…taxes and death.

Jeremiah Haltemann :  Sir Robert Cecil – Nobleman

Son of Sir William Cecil and Secretary of State for Queen Elizabeth

Leigh Ann Hamlin :  Mary Killigrew – Pirate / Siren

Current Captain of The Kraken's Kill. Former aristocrat.

Jonathan Handley :  John Hopgrove – Master of Revels

Brother of Jane and engineer of entertainments.

Jilly Harris :  Lady Jane Brussells – Lady in Waiting

Her Majesty's Lady of the Bedchamber.

Jonathan Heise :  Sir John Gifford – Retired Knight

Retired Knight; resides in Mt. Hope.

Dom Hernandez :  Osric Willoughby – Earl's Steward

Steward to Lord Thornbridge and overseer of his operations.

Jackie Holzel :  Daisy Plotts – Gardener

The Lady Mayor's personal green thumb!

Brian Huff :  Sir Walter Raleigh – Privateer / Governor of Virginia

The Queen's favorite privateer and newly appointed Governor of Virginia with a soft spot for Mt. Hope

Mary Huff :  Tink Ballaster – Harbor Master

Retired pirate. Running ports is more profitable than pillaging them.

Fabian Hutchins :  Kit Bellbrooke – Apprentice Town Historian

It is Kit's duty to run around the shire gathering information and relating it to anyone interested. Or not interested, for that matter.

Josh Kachnycz :  Anthony Blacksmythe – Blacksmith

He doesn't just make weapons; he's quite the skilled hand at fighting with them, as well.

Alyssa Keshel :  Toolie Ashland – Apprentice to the Grave Digger

Following in the footsteps of the highly esteemed grave digger.

Dave Keshel :  Alan Kingshotte – Yeoman Guard

Yeoman guard. Divisional Sgt. Major who specializes in espionage.

Andrew Leubecker :  Ezekiel Smalls – Tinker

A traveling tinker, inventor, and man about town. In a time of exploration, who doesn't need a fancy new gadget?

Iliana Lo :  Zoe Tremain – Raleigh's Second

Sir Walter Raleigh's first mate and right-hand person.

Leigh Loureiro :  Dagmar Shroud – Pirate / Siren

Quartermaster, responsible for all business aboard The Kraken's Kill.

Graham Luker : Sir Giles Thornbridge – Earl of Sussex

The Lady Mayor may own Mount Hope, but she pays fealty to the Earl of Sussex. And prices have gone up.

Gianna Miranda :  Lady Imogen Galliard – Royal Dance Mistress

A lady of her Majesty's court charged with keeping everyone on their toes (and not someone else's).

Jared Nocella :  Luke Slaughter – Shire Kennelmaster

Former Pirate. Great with dogs. Very good boy.

Tyler O'Connor :  Warren Hooper – Cooper

Mount Hope needs a lot of barrels, buckets and pails. Warren is never bored.

Joe Penn :  Rolland Smeedrick Daniels, III – Shire Alderman

The voice of the people. When he listens.

Debi Prestine :  Aisling Magee – Potter

A guildsmerchant with a talent for shaping clay into something as useful as it is pretty.

Eileen Quinn :  Billy Slaughter – Hunter

Former pirate. Current hunter. Tomato Tomato.

Nick Rainville :  Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex – Nobleman

Godson of Sir Robert Dudley, and quickly supplanting him as the Queen's Favorite.

Doug Reesor :  Roger Colmstoke – Farmer

Tender of fields, and Father of Marigold and Eleanor.

Green Reesor :  Caledonia Broadseam – Sail Maker

Maker of sails, doing quite well in this age of exploration!

Cole Reihing :  Gabriel Marston Mortaine – Yeoman Guard

Ensign Mortaine, the only multi-lingual Yeoman, is appreciated for his turn of phrase and often asked to write home for the other Yeomen.

James Riley :  Sir Adam Cringer – Yeoman Guard

A soldier, a poet, a storyteller, but most importantly: a Yeoman!

Katherine Rossi :  Lady Margaret Radcliffe – Lady in Waiting

Lady of the court and Maid of Honour. Came to Court with her twin brother, Alexander.

Addison Rymar :  Thomas Tallis – Music Teacher

Famed composer and musician to her Majesty.

Heather Schaeffer :  Elliot Leach – Barber Surgeon

Amputation and a haircut. 2 bits.

Jules Schrader :  Queen Elizabeth – Queen

Queen of England and France, Defender of the Faith, Lord of Ireland and the Colony of Virginia in the New World.

Michael Sheffield :  Nicholas Tooley – Actor / Rogue

Enthusiastic apprentice actor in Shakespeare's thespians.

Terry Sheffield :  Marigold Colmstoke – Milk Maid

Daughter of Roger Colmstoke and sister to Eleanor. Marigold tends to all things milk and dairy!

Katelyn Shreiner :  Jane Hopgrove – Master of Revels

Sister of John and arranger of amusements.

Bryan Smith :  Archibald Chatham – Yeoman Guard

Ensign Chatham is the newest yeoman guard.

Jessie Smith :  Madeline "Maddie" Kitchener – Scullery Wench

Best kitchen maid in the shire. Only kitchen maid in the shire.

Mary Smith :  Constance Hallewell – Epic Poet

Keeper of Mount Hope's myths and legends, and spreader of their tales!

Noelani Stevenson :  Gytha Fenhark – Wisdom

Supplier of herbs, ointments, hexes and charms.

Alex Stompoly :  The Lady Lilith Rose – Female Illusionist

Portrayer of female roles in Shakespeare's acting company.

Emily Sturges :  Maggie Cutters – Butcher

A butcher with a mysterious past.

Robyn Thompson :  Geraldine Stiller – Distiller

Provider of the many fine liquors at Mount Hope's bustling bars and taverns. Business is booming!

Sandi Trait :  Rosemary Blythe – Pirate

A legendary pyrate enjoying retirement in a quite shire. Or so she thought.

Catherine Wilkie :  Esther Wycombe – Lady Mayor's Maid

Employed by the Lady Mayor to keep her household clean. What is the shire but an extension of the Lady Mayor's household?

Not listed anywhere I could find on the website are the directors and other support staff.  Rather an unacceptable state of affairs.