Audience to get a taste of ‘Old English Feaste’

Erik Urycki

If you are someone who is curious about how Queen Elizabeth enjoyed Christmas dinner during the late 16th century, you can find out this weekend in the Student Center Ballroom.

Student Center Programming, in accordance with University Dinning Services, is presenting the 35th Annual Olde English Yuletide Feaste performed by the Kent State University Chorale.

Performances start tonight and run through Saturday with doors opening at 7 p.m.

The Olde English Yuletide Feast resembles a late-sixteenth century dinner with all the fixings.

The Ballroom will transform into a castle dining room where guests will be entertained by Queen Elizabeth and her distinguished guests, played by members of the Kent State Chorale.

The performance will start with a candle light processional followed by fanfares throughout the evening. The Kent State Chorale will serenade the guests while they eat.

C.M. Shearer, director of choral activities and the director of the Yuletide Feaste, has been involved with the performance for more than 20 years.

“We try to create an illusion of the time period,” Shearer said. “Wait until you see it (the ballroom) with the tables set and the lights turned low – it is beautiful in here.”

Shearer said the madrigal dinner helps support the Chorale’s recruitment tour.

Katie Harrison, junior chorale music education major and the one playing the role of Queen Elizabeth, said this is her third Old English Feaste, and they are always fun.

“It’s a good, entertaining night,” Harrison said. “Once we do this, it kind of signifies the start of the Christmas season.”

Thursday night’s dinner menu will feature a lightly seasoned, stuffed chicken breast with a Melba sauce, while the Friday and Saturday night dinners feature Panzanella tossed in a red wine vinaigrette dressing.

Tickets for Thursday night’s performance are $40 per person and $35 for Kent State students. Tickets are $30 if purchased in groups of 12 or more.

Tickets for the Friday night performance are $45 per person and $40 dollars for Kent State students. The Saturday night performance is sold out.

For information on remaining tickets, contact the conference bureau at 330-672-3161.

Contact on-campus

entertainment reporter

Erik Urycki at [email protected].