When we became Clark County residents we enjoyed The Boar’s Head Feaste held every other January. It was a recreation of 15th century medieval feast in a manor complete with intricate madrigal music, a creative menu, antics of the jester, lutes, dancing, mummers and lots of fun. (That is mummers not mummies. By the way, mummers are costumed or masked merrymakers.)
I’ve always enjoyed the pomp and frivolity of medieval events, and this one was so much fun. I mean, where else can you have each course of your dinner announced by a trumpet fanfare? Back then it was held in Covenant Presbyterian Church.
Then for 10 years the trumpets, lutes and jesters in Clark County were silent.
Last year Brad Campbell, a very creative resident of western Clark County, decided that he would revive the event.
Campbell was the perfect person to do this. The Northwestern High School graduate had been a part of the original production at Covenant and considered its director, Jane Otten, to be his mentor. Campbell went on to study dance performance at Ohio University and follow that with two master’s degrees in business and non-profit administration.
After graduation, Campbell worked in New York City. At first he performed with different dance organizations, then he progressed on to administration and fund-raising. When he returned to Clark County after 12 years away, he was disappointed to learn the Boar’s Head Feaste had been discontinued.
He discussed the situation with Otten, a former Wittenberg professor who had retired from directing music at Covenant Presbyterian and moved out west.
As Campbell tells it, he explained his ideas for revitalizing the event to her and, “She gave me her blessing.”
Changes in venue and sponsorship had to be arranged, but soon the Boar’s Head Feaste was planned to take place in the beautiful Springfield Masonic Temple, 125 W. High St., Springfield, with the sponsorship of the Springfield Civic Theater.
The changes worked out so well that last January, they decided to do it again this year. The 2015 Boar’s Head Feaste will take place on Friday and Saturday evenings of the last two weekends of this month.
Campbell, who lives near New Carlisle, is the director, producer and “jack of all trades” for the new production. Enon resident Tonya Reynolds is the music director. Other participants from western Clark County include Todd and Tara Bodey of Enon, who are performers and soloists. There are a total of 32 performers and more than 20 helpers behind the scenes.
On Friday and Saturday evenings of the next two weeks, Jan. 23, 24, 30 and 31, the new Boar’s Head Feaste will transport guests back in time for an entertaining evening of madrigals, music, jesters, dancing, feasting, mummers (not mummies) and frivolity.
Tickets will be on sale for this Friday’s and Saturday’s feasts until noon on Wednesday. Tickets can be bought for the Jan. 30 and 31 feasts until noon on Jan. 28. Reservations are required. Tickets cost $40 each, which includes the meal.
Tickets are available online or can also be purchased from noon-3 p.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 201 N. Limestone St., Springfield.
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