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The Shepherd's Paradise


The Shepherd's Paradise was a Caroline era masque, written by Walter Montagu and designed by Inigo Jones. Acted in 1633 by Queen Henrietta Maria and her ladies in waiting, it was noteworthy as the first masque in which the Queen and her ladies filled speaking roles. Along with Tempe Restored (1632), The Shepherd's Paradise marked a step in the evolution in attitudes and practices that led to the acceptance of women onstage during the coming Restoration era.

The masque was performed before King Charles I at Somerset House in London on 9 January 1633 (new style). Montagu's drama (it has been called a "fantasy," a "marathon," and an "extravanganza," among other things) is not a brief work; the original performance lasted seven or eight hours. It required four months of rehearsal by its aristocratic cast. Inigo Jones designed nine sets and eight changes of scene for the mammoth-scale production, which also saw an early use of the proscenium arch in English theatre. (Jones's stage designs for the piece, including some striking forest scenes, still exist.)

The work may have had a second performance of 2 February the same year; some of its costumes were later re-used for a revival of John Fletcher's The Faithful Shepherdess. Henrietta Maria then presented the sumptuous masque costumes to the King's Men, who had acted Fletcher's play.

Saphira/Bellesa

Basilino/Moramente

Agenor/Genorio/Palante

Fidamira/Gemella/Miranda

The King

Pantamora

Camena

Melidoro

Martiro

Bonorio

Osorio

Timante

Votorio

Romero

Princess Mirabella (not acted, only mentioned by other characters)


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