Keeping it Real…at night!

Afew weeks ago, while I was online booking our tour of the Real Alcazar, I noticed that there were additional tours offered, including one entitled “A theatrical performance of the marriage of Isabel of Portugal to Charles II of Spain”. It went on to explain that this was a nighttime performance beginning at 9pm. But the tickets were relatively inexpensive so I said “Why not?” without really knowing what to expect.

It was still daylight upon our arrival last night but the sun was setting as the performance characters (all dressed in period costumes) greeted us and welcomed us into the palace grounds. They ushered us from one station to another as they explained in character (and in Spanish) that the Princess Isabel had arrived at the palace in preparation for the arranged marriage to Charles II (whom she had not yet met).

In reality, what they were really doing was guiding us on a tour through the palace, but in a much more fun and creative manner than the usual tour routine. Our crowd size was a few dozen people as opposed to a few thousand people earlier in the day and since it was past sunset the temperature was about 20 degrees cooler as well! And of course the grounds were lit up beautifully in anticipation for our arrival.

But first we had to be granted access to the palace. One of the characters explained (in character) that we were mere “commoners” and therefore not permitted to enter. It took some persuasion on the part of our host (narrator) to gain us access. She convinced the palace princess that we were “from the future” and that she would enchant us with an “invisibility potion” so that the royal court would never even know that we were there.

If you’re getting the impression that this was an interactive and engaging theatrical experience designed to entertain and educate the audience then you’ve got the right idea. And the added bonus was experiencing the Real Alcazar by night.

As we were ushered through all the rooms that we had seen earlier in the day, the feeling was totally different by night. Each stop introduced us to another new character who added to the storyline.

They really limited phone usage so we didn’t get many pictures which is too bad because the lighting effects were really terrific.

Eventually, Charles was introduced to Isabel and it was love at first sight.

And the rest, as they say, is history. Only this time it really is history, and a fascinating history, at that!