Story
A Birthday to Remember
Huzzah! You are all invited to attend Queen Charlotte's grand birthday celebration in Mearth!
King Bertram has spent many months planning his Queen's surprise jubilee - he has invited minstrels and entertainers to perform, merchants to showcase their wares and picked the tastiest treats to be served. Among the guests will be the Knights of Mearth, the Queen's relatives from the Fairy Lands and residents from the neighbouring kingdom of Dearth (best to keep an eye on their sneaky Lord) - all of whom have brought a very impressive gift for the Queen.
But alas, with all his time spent planning, the King did not have time to get a birthday present and was offered to share in one of the gifts brought by his guests. Cheer on your favourite knight, fairy or mercenary as they fight in the tournament ring to determine the best gift.
Who will win the battle of the gifts? Will the Queen be surprised? Find out Sat Sept 16, in Waterloo Park from 11 am-6 pm!
Huzzah!
The Gift-Givers: The Cast of A Birthday to Remember
Court of Mearth
King Bertram – Bernie Roehl
Queen Charlotte – Tracey Biggar
Princess Pamela – Mary Dawdy
Sir Sean of Guilford – Alan Dawdy
Princess Lila – Jasmine Dawdy
Mary Nearly Contrary – Mary Drozd-Lutka
Lady Miriam – Hanaja Lutka
Grendel the Dragon – Chris Lutka
Court of the Fae Lands
Lord Percival of the Vale – Geoff Vanderkooy
Lord Staaghorn of the Woods – David Loop
Edmund the Wise – Chol Rintche
Farrell the Storyteller – Karen Oddson
Knights of Mearth
Sir Lara of Drat, Master-at-Arms – Wanda Murison
Sir Tobias – Adam Benjamin
Sir Liam – Nick Oddson
Sir Smarm – Yogi Oddson
Sir Killian – Noah Heeney
Sir Luan Moon – Ryan McEachern
Dame Kendra – Sarah Ingram
Dame Balien the Dary Fairy – Carly Derderian
Sweet Sir St. Germaine – James Noble
Sir Erline – Alex Loop
Sir Malvolio – Kieron Higgs
Champions of the Fae Lands
Sir Lance – Julian Loop
Leath – Ash Parish
Rosalind – Ashleigh Murray
Sir Victor Von Mewsoll – Alex Brubacher
Nimway of the Vale – Zoe Reville
Court of Dearth
King Davius – Neil Murray
Conrad Crookshaw – Nick Rintche
Tyrolean the Spy – Porter Crease
Mercenaries of Dearth
Elena the Rogue – Angie Grigg
Lilith Nightshade – Maeve Sebastian
Charlemagne – Charley Hipel
Raven – Wylie Lutka
Thaddeus J Chadwick the Fourth – Kyle Remington
Dame Gerta – Nora Beatty
Wandering Cast
Kali he Shadow - Ashley King
Blayze the Conqueror - Phoenix Schlupp
Lady Elizabeth - Liz Guest
Aurora Nightshade - Heather Sebastian
Iris - Catherine Edwins
Feronia Willowsnap - Julie Bundscho
Copper the Pirate - Steven Bundscho
Fee Russala - Kyla Bundscho
Pip - Gavin Bundscho
The Performers of A Birthday to Remember
Floating Widget
Floating Widget is a trio of musicians playing Irish and Celtic music for pubs, weddings, festivals and Ceili dances for over twenty years in the Waterloo Region and beyond. Performances by Floating Widget offer rousing pub ballads and songs and lively sets of dance tunes (jigs, reels and hornpipes). Band members include Les Starkey on bodhran, James Stockton on whistles and Kevin Grossi on vocals, guitar and fiddle.
Christina Maree - Harpist
Christina Maree fell in love with the harp through folktales and folk music and later became an early fan of Loreena McKennitt. After discovering the Goderich Celtic Festival and Celtic College, she makes an annual pilgrimage to learn new tunes. The sound of the harp invites you in. Come for a listen.
The Forget Me Notes
We're a wind and percussion ensemble with years of experience in community bands. Specializing in Medieval and early 1900s music and Christmas tunes, we've performed at various events, including garden parties, Foodbank fundraisers, and the Grand Porch Party. St Luke's Anglican Church in Cambridge has generously allowed us rehearsal space.
The Eyrie (Birds of Prey)
The Eyrie goes through history to talk about Falconry as a hunting sport, with live free-flight raptor demonstrations.
Wandering Stiltwalker
Paul (Top Hat) is a multi-talented performer known for his roles in medieval and Renaissance festivals across the province. An actor, singer, and comedian, he's taken on various roles with companies like Poculi Ludique Societas and the Shakespeare and the Queen's Men Project. Besides acting, Paul is a gifted musician, having sung with groups specializing in early Renaissance and baroque music, including the Toronto Chamber Choir and the Elmer Iseler Singers.
Scottish Dancers
The Kitchener Waterloo Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society has been active since 1960. We have classes on Tuesday Evenings from September to April for both beginners and advanced dancers The great thing about Scottish Country Dancing is you don't need a partner and you don't need to be Scottish.
Nero's Fiddle
Nero's Fiddle is an a'cappella quartet formed in 2001 at the Ontario Renaissance Festival. They've been performing their blend of ballads, both bawdy and beautiful, together in harmony for over 20 years. A longtime fixture of RMF, they are delighted to return to the Queen's Stage this season. Nero's Fiddle are Jennifer Botari, Dorothy Fairbairn, Christine McLeod, and Angela Whyte.