Jason Rodgers, IIIrd Former and son of Mr. and Mrs. David Rodgers of Hoosick Falls, Blake Barnhill, IInd Former and son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Barnhill of Petersburgh, Eli Jones, IInd Former and son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Jones of Pownal, VT, and Haylee Manktelow IIIrd Former and daughter of Mrs. Beth Mitchell of Salem, NY, have been busy rehearsing since late October for the 118th production of Hoosac School’s Boar’s Head and Yule Log. The annual production involves all of Hoosac’s boys and girls and faculty members.
Founded in 1889, the boarding school held its first Boar’s Head and Yule Log in 1892.
“After experiencing one performance of this show with all of Hoosac’s students in their jeweled and feathered Elizabethan finery, you know that it’s not just another Christmas play,” said Richard Lomuscio, the twelfth headmaster of the 121 year old school. Students this year will be trying to make the 118th production the best ever. But Hoosac’s budding singers and actors have some strong competition from the past – well known actor, the late Burgess Meredith, member of the class of 1926 of this independent college preparatory boarding school, played the lead role when he was a student.
The Show
Divided into two parts, the celebration begins with the Boar’s Head carol representing the gathering of Elizabethan gentry at the manor house to celebrate the birth of Christ. A solemn procession heralds the entrance of guests bearing food for the feast. In the place of honor is the boar’s head, decorated with flags representing the Holy Roman Empire in the 16th century and symbolizing the conquest of good over evil. A flaming plum pudding also has a place of honor. Its richness and gaily colored fruit represent the gifts of the three kings. Shepherds enter in song seeking the newborn child. The carol between King Wenceslas and his page symbolizes the virtues of caring for the less fortunate. The three kings sing in solemn procession bearing their gifts.
A medieval banquet is served during intermission by Beefeaters in the school’s Memorial Dining Hall, a vaulted, cathedral like structure with flags lining the rafters. The flags represent the home countries of students who have attended Hoosac during the past 120 years.
A shift in mood takes place in the second act when the revels begin, and the country folk join the gentry in song and games. The wassail bowl is carried in, and Father Christmas, accompanied by sprites usually played by faculty children, brings in the Yule Log which is lit with a torch made from last year’s embers. A hush falls over the audience as the house lights go out and the Jester enters declaring himself the “Lord of Misrule.” Following the Jester, sword dancers entertain with a ritualized duel. A mummers play, a medieval burlesque of St. George slaying the dragon, is performed.
The harmony sound of the entire costumed chorus combine to complete the illusion that onlookers have been transported into the realms and customs of other days. The evening closes with caroling.