RA Lates: Night at the Palace
Saturday 3 March 2018 7 - 11.45pm
Royal Academy of Arts
VIP £75 / General admission £40
Charles I: King and Collector
The RA becomes King Charles I's Whitehall Palace for an immersive and decadent night.
It's 1640 and you're invited to a spectacular court festival at the palace, known as a masque.
These extravagant celebrations combined poetry, music, dance, theatre and painting, and were performed for the King and invited courtiers, ambassadors and European royals. Held in the great halls at the Palace, temporary theatres and elaborate stages were set up to host a spectacular evening of entertainment.
The astounding special effects of masques were akin to moving baroque paintings. They displayed the King's Godly power and triumph over unruly subjects, rebels and the forces of nature, reinforcing the belief in the "divine right of kings".
At this special RA Late, we invite you to explore Whitehall Palace re-imagined.
Become 17th-century royalty for the night and experience masques, banqueting feasts, revelling rooms with wild courtly dancing and discover the King's hidden private apartments.
Please see your guide to the Palace below (with more to be revealed...)
Banqueting House
Dine in our banqueting hall while listing to dinner speeches about political gossip and royal scandal, including Professor Jason Peacey on revolutionary politics and print culture during the English Civil War.
Ceremonial Hall
Our grand entranceway will play host to Baroque Remix, a classical club night with composer and DJ Benjamin Tassie combining baroque, hip-hop and contemporary-classical music.
The King's Lodgings
Befriend a courtier for entry to the secret rooms of the Privy Lodgings, the King's private apartments. Once inside, you'll find artists, musicians, writers and unscrupulous agents who've managed to gain entry and influence the royals' cultural tastes.
These private bedchambers also display the King's most precious artworks for you to admire, while mingling with the Palace's elite.
Queen's Dressing Rooms
Create your own Henrietta Maria inspired ruff and bejewelled courtly accessories at this drop-in activity produced by Neelam Rehman.
Court masque
Experience The Celestial Triumph, our extravagant court masque, that tells the tale of dangerous, malignant spirits who threaten to disturb the King's peaceful rule. Witness spectacular parades, live music and take part in ritual dances.
Our immersive performances, produced by Wilson & Hart take place in a vibrant stage set installation by Abby and Alice inspired by the glittering and opulent sets of architect and masque designer Inigo Jones.
Great Hall
Take part in a life drawing class in a Paper Theatre, hosted by Art Macabre. Models pose under a Palladian arch in masque costumes; sketch them, or add to the sculptural paper architecture. Create paper costumes inspired by Inigo Jones' fantastical designs for the models to wear as they post within the tableau vivant.
Plus costume and fashion stalls by
Hysteria Machine
Bombini Studio
Revelling Rooms
The finale of court masques were known as the "revels", with wild and energetic social dances held late into the night. Guests to our revelling room can dance to live music and sip wine and cocktails, with live performances by Ceilidh Liberation Front who will lead you through 17th-century English country dance steps.
After-hours entry to Charles I: King and Collector
During your visit to Night at the Palace, our five-star Charles I exhibition will be open from 7.30-10.30pm. Discover the king's legendary art collection in this landmark exhibition which brings together astounding treasures for the first time since the 17th century that changed the taste of a nation.
VIP £75 / General admission £40
Charles I: King and Collector
Street food and cocktail bars
Visit our marketplace for street food, wine, cocktails, craft beer including:
Gosnell's mead
Christabel's champagne bar
The Ginistry
The Libation Station
Dress code: courtly decadence
Think historical opulence with a contemporary twist. Don your finest feathered collars, extravagant ruffs, lace trims, jacquard capes, neck frills and plenty of gold.
Alternatively, keep it simple with a suit and brimmed hat, or long dress and gloves.
Check our our Pinterest Board for inspiration.
Please note that some large costume items (eg headdresses) may not be permitted inside the Charles I: King and Collector exhibition. We will provide bags for these items to be carried, so as to protect the world-famous paintings on display. We thank you in advance for your co-operation.
Tickets
Includes
- Access to all RA Lates curated entertainment, experiences, performances and activities.
- After-hours view of Charles I: King and Collector.
Includes
- Access to all RA Lates curated entertainment, experiences, performances and activities.
- After-hours view of Charles I: King and Collector.
Includes
- Access to all RA Lates curated entertainment, experiences, performances and activities.
- After-hours view of Charles I: King and Collector
£75 VIP tickets - now sold out
Make your Saturday night at the RA extra special with a VIP ticket, which includes:
- Private curator-led tour of Charles I: King and Collector between 7pm and 7.30pm.
- Complimentary glass of champagne
- Goody bag of gifts from the RA
- Private access to a secret palace lounge bar, with ethereal baroque harp performances
- Special portrait sketching demonstrations by artist Gideon Summerfield
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