This Christmas at Harewood there is mischief afoot with decorative angels coming to life, escaping from the Music Room’s Christmas tree and popping up unexpectedly throughout the House. Cakes in the Servants’ Hall banter gleefully about their beauty pageant bake-off, and Queen Victoria’s bust reminisces about her time at Harewood.
These are part of a magical makeover by the internationally celebrated artists Studio McGuire. Revealing Harewood’s history and mysteries, Studio McGuire uses lighting projection, storytelling and music to bring unforgettable cheeky characters, objects and artworks to life. Commissioned by Harewood House Trust, Christmas includes an immersive Father Christmas experience and glittering Christmas shop.
For ‘Mischief at the Mansion’, Studio McGuire worked with Curator Rebecca Burton to research and uncover more anecdotes about the House and its people throughout its 250-year history. Scriptwriter Christina Lewis then developed the characters and scripts adding a new layer to the festive visitor’s experience of Harewood House.
The popular ceiling projection from 2019 is coming back to the Yellow Drawing Room. Comfy cushions and throws provide an unusual opportunity to lie down in a country mansion and watch the light show above. Not to be missed is the quirky conversation between the busts of Queen Victoria and Prime Minister George Canning. Projected with their faces, the busts reveal fascinating stories including how Queen Victoria slept in the State Bedroom as a young princess.
This year Father Christmas at Harewood House will be a magical experience for groups and families. Taking place in the Old Library, Princess Mary’s Dressing Room and China Room, this is an immersive, mini-theatrical production.
Mischief at the Mansion is at Harewood in Leeds from Friday 15 November to 5 January 2024. Admission includes access to Harewood House, Gardens and Grounds. The Artisan Winter Market runs from 7-10 November. Father Christmas requires separate tickets and pre-booking is essential. For more information and tickets visit harewood.org.
Opening times: From 10 am daily. Check the website for details. Admission: From £24.95 adults, and £12.50 children. Concessions available. £2 Tickets are available for those in receipt of universal credit, pension credit and refugee status (check details for eligibility). Free for Harewood members and under 4s. Car parking charge applies for non-members.
About Harewood House
Harewood House is managed by the Harewood House Trust, an independent educational charity responsible for conserving Harewood House for public benefit and the future. The Trust is leading the way to re-imagine what makes a historic house and its landscape relevant in the 21st century. Harewood House is the Grade I listed historic home of the Earl and Countess of Harewood, welcoming around 250,000 visitors annually. Building began in 1759 led by local architect John Carr, with interiors by Robert Adam and the largest single commission of Thomas Chippendale furniture. Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown designed the 100 acres of nationally significant gardens and landscapes. Inside the house, the collections include Renaissance masterpieces, family portraits by Reynolds and Gainsborough and fine Sèvres porcelain.
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Artist: Studio McGuire
