Magnificent Masques

Today the Banqueting House at Whitehall in London opened Performing for the King: The Making of a Court Masque, which runs until 1 September (CLICK). These royal entertainments were one-off spectacles held to amuse the Stuart kings in the early decades of the 17th Century. The great architect Inigo Jones, who designed the Banqueting House, also worked as theatrical designer to create these lavish masques, many in collaboration with Ben Jonson. Shown is Inigo Jones' pen-and-wash Design for a Knight in a Court Masque. BBC News has posted an audio slide show produced by Paul Kerley with voiceover by Rhiannon Goddard from Historic Royal Palaces (CLICK). Entry is £5 for adults or £4 for silver surfers. Under 16s are free.