Volume 41 Issue 4 www.OTHStoday.com
The Prowler Dec. 15, 2011
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The Royal court reconvenes for the 34th annual Madrigals dinner Mycal Hurley
On December 1-4, crowds flooded to the Milburn cafeteria for mycalhurley@othstoday.com the 34th annual Madrigals dinner performed by OTHS’s own choral department. Two types of performance nights were available for purchase. One was the “Beggars Night,” which consisted of light snacks and beverages, while the other was a full course dinner served with chicken cordon bleu, salad, pasta and cheesecake. The night started off with a friendly introduction from the jesters of the Royal Court junior George Rushing and senior Rachel Walton along with the chamberlain and chamber lady seniors Jason Rambo and Danielle Long. After the brief introduction, the rest of the cast entered the room and took their seats while Rushing and Walton gave the hilarious dining rules for the audience. For example, one of the rules allowed flatulence at the dinner table while eating and even implemented the “Five Second Rule” as well. Throughout the night, the court sang several songs to the audience in a wonderful and clearly defined a capella performance. A short intermission occurred in order to dine, then the show resumed with a tale acted out by several of
the members of the court. The tale began with Sir Lancelot, acted by sophomore Alex Shelton, receiving news of an invasion of the throne by a wicked sorceress senior Alyssa Soehlke and her minion, senior Garrett Libbra. Most of the story was spent detailing his time trying to get to the castle. When the and Libbra finally arrived, Sir Lancelot was no where to be seen, and instead, Master Antonio of Napoli, played by Rex Chapman, and King of England, senior Cody Ray, defended the court from the antagonists and a sword fight ensued. After several minutes of sword fighting, the enemies were defeated, and the fashionably late Sir Lancelot arrives and receives the credit for the defending of the castle. The end of the play was accompanied with multiple tracks that clearly were meant to spread the holiday cheer, such as the final song, “Silent Night” by Franz Gruder, a traditional song for this time of year. The atmosphere and the good times had at this year’s Madrigals was a definitive way to start off the season. (Photo Credit: marthastewart.com, Darby Todd, Haewon Jung)