Anatomy of a Ball

On Tuesday 23rd March 1824 a fabulous Fancy Dress Ball was held in the York Assembly Rooms.

It was a grand affair with the papers reporting that “on no former occasion, has a more splendid, brilliant, and amusing assemblage been collected”.

The event lasted 9 hours, over 500 people attended and there was even rioting in the streets as onlookers clambered on top of the arriving carriages to see the occupants arriving in all their finery.

But what was this ball really like? What would it have been like to be there?

After digging through newspaper reports, personal letters and some original documents we can finally put together a more cohesive picture of a Georgian Ball- from the glamorous guests to the tradespeople that made it happen!

• Who was in attendance? What did they wear? And who made the costumes?
• What did they dance? Who danced with whom? And who provided the music?
• How did the evening work? What did they eat and drink? And who organised the whole thing?

Find out the answers to all this and more as Lottie takes you through months of research (and several tangents) to paint a picture of what it was REALLY like to attend a ball in 1824.

If you're planning on attending the York Georgian Ball in the evening this is a great opportunity to learn a bit more about the building and the events that happened there before you dance the night away yourself!

Please note this talk is in the Upper Room of Barley Hall Coffee Shop and there is no wheelchair access.

Refreshments are available from the Coffee Shop.

Lottie has been performing in Historic Dance groups for over 10 years, specialising in periods from the 10th century to present day.

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