masque

The masque’s subject is problematic: Some beautiful African water nymphs—portrayed by the queen and her ladies-in-waiting in blackface—wish to travel to Britain to be made white.

The masque, performed by gentle spirits, enchants the betrothed.

I also got a hydrating, collagen-boosting facial, an herbal hair steam and a conditioning hair masque.

By the time you get to the masque near the end, featuring impenetrable spoofs of the nine classical “worthies,” you may doubt young Shakespeare’s judgment of worthiness.

Almost entirely, the ceremonial formality of the coronation resembled an elaborate masque, in which each gorgeously costumed participant played his or her part in creating collective meaning.