Midwinter Revels 2024
What a time out of mind December was! I never did musical theater as a kid, and I have never done a gig like this where, night after night, you’re perfecting and refining the same show and being but one small part of a big, complex organism. It was a lot of fun and full of so many learning opportunities. Not to mention, everyone involved was absolutely lovely and so passionate about the tradition of Revels and the particular story we were delivering.
When trying to describe Revels before starting the show, I kept struggling. “It’s like music theater, but not quite, I think.” I had seen it before, but knowing the history of the show helped to contextualize it. Every year is a new story, with new musical and cultural themes. But there are constants - the Mummer’s play, and a handful of English carols that get sung every year. And there are always audience sing-alongs. This is a show for folks who come to participate!
This year’s story, “The Selkie Girl and the Seal Woman,” explored themes of leaving and longing for home, what it means to be disconnected from where or what we came from, and how we can walk the line between worlds. I deeply connected with it after spending several years away from my chosen home and struggling with the loss of direction I had being in a new place. I got teary-eyed a few times.
It was a big experience!
The music was a mix of the Revels classics with Irish traditional songs and tunes and Cabo Verdean songs. Exploring the parallels between these two sea-faring cultures was really fascinating, plus the music was absolutely a joy to play and listen to.
Sadly I think the online streaming option is no longer available, but enjoy this selection of photos. (No, I don’t own that sweater - that was a costume piece as it was set in 1999!)
