[MassHistPres] a Christmas preservation fable

[Lynn Smiledge]

I enjoyed this member's discovery of the historic preservation theme in
our Revels show. As a member of the volunteer cast, (www.revels.org) I
enjoy Revel's typical historic accuracy in its music, dances and
costumes. This year we have an imaginative depiction of a true historic
event,
http://thephoenix.com/Boston/arts/113211-review-christmas-revels-2010/,
when in the 1920's the  9th Duke of Rutland restored Haddon Hall in
Derbyshire, England. http://www.haddonhall.co.uk/ 
The "spirit of place" is conveyed as the theme of this show, reminding
perennial revelers of this 40 year tradition and one of the best uses of
Harvard's glorious Sanders Theatre and Memorial Hall.

David W. Torrey, AIA
Principal
Menders, Torrey & Spencer, Inc.
123 North Washington Street , 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02114
TEL: 617-227-1477 ext 103
FAX :617-227-2654
EMAIL: dtorrey at mendersarchitects.com
WEBSITE: www.mendersarchitects.com


-----Original Message-----
From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu
[mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of Dennis De Witt
Sent: Friday, December 24, 2010 8:35 AM
To: MHC MHC listserve
Subject: [MassHistPres] a Christmas preservation fable

There is an unanticipated preservation message in one of season's old
standby events this year.  

Christmas Revels, which often is all but plotless, has a slight framing
story this year involving saving an historic british manor house, and
the spirits that dwell therein, from being sold to pay the taxes, with
the house being demolished for a new road -- all in the name of, "You
can't stop 'progress'."  After the usual morris dancing, singing (partly
with the audience, many of who have been coming for decades), mummery
(with a quite remarkable dragon eventually slain by a City gent-St.
George's tightly furled brolly), etc., the living 1920s incumbent is, at
last, convinced that the mansion and estate (and presumably the spirits)
should become a tourist attraction.  In almost the last spoken plot
line, it is suggested that it all might be given to the National Trust.

Anyone for a preservationist rewrite of the Nutcracker involving an
historic district?

Cheers

Dennis De Witt
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