Stately ruin spikes the sky (From Gazette & Herald)

Stately ruin spikes the sky

THE grounds of Helmsley Castle will reverberate to the sounds of Elizabethan music over the Easter weekend as celebrations take place to mark the opening of the attraction's new visitor centre and castle exhibitions.

On Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, the Arbeau Dancers will entertain visitors to the castle with displays of traditional Elizabethan dance, accompanied by historical music duo Hartbois, who will be playing 17th century instruments such as the hurdy-gurdy, lutes and bagpipes.

"Elizabethan dancing was really quite exciting, flying in the face of the traditional dances that had come before and really reflecting the spirit of exploration and discovery of the era," said the Arbeau Dancers' Nicole Strachan.

"Dances themselves were a big part of social life, as they were one of the few occasions when young ladies could meet and talk to gentlemen without a chaperone monitoring every word."

Two of the dances that the Arbeau Dancers will demonstrate will be the Buffens (a sword dance inspired by the Elizabethans' perceptions of how Amazon women would have fought) and the Battle Pavan, in which dancers recreate a battle from the first skirmish to the peacemaking, using seven-foot staves as props for the dance.

Members of the public will also be invited to try their hand at one of the easier Elizabethan dances, the Bransle, a less formal dance that transcended the class barrier, being popular among everyone, be they peasants or nobility.

During the weekend, from Good Friday, visitors can take part in Easter egg hunts and chocolate giveaways. A court jester will even take the fun into the streets of Helmsley to encourage people to join in the festivities.

Helmsley Castle and the new visitor centre and castle exhibitions will be open daily from Good Friday until September 30, between 10am and 6pm.

There will also be further events to celebrate the opening of the visitor centre, including:

April 17-18: Attack and Defend!

April 24-25: The Dragon Who Lost His Home.

May 1-3: School of Chivalry.

May 29-31: medieval feast and festival.

Admission prices are £4 for adults, £3 for concessions and £2 for children. A family ticket (for two adults and up to three children) is available at £10.

For more details, you can ring (01439) 770442.

Updated: 11:54 Wednesday, April 07, 2004