The Masque of the Red Death

The “Red Death” had long devastated Sleepy Hollow Country. No pestilence had ever been so fatal, or so hideous. Blood was its Avator and its seal — the redness and the horror of blood. 

But the Prince Prospero was happy and dauntless, and sagacious. When his dominions were half depopulated, he summoned to his presence a thousand hale and light-hearted friends from among the knights and dames of his court, and with these retired to the deep seclusion of one of his castellated abbeys. This was an extensive and magnificent structure, the creation of the prince’s own eccentric yet august taste. The abbey was amply provisioned, with such precautions the courtiers might bid defiance to contagion. The external world could take care of itself.

In the meantime it was folly to grieve, or to think. The prince had provided all the appliances of pleasure. There were buffoons, there were improvisatori, there were ballêt-dancers, there were musicians, there were cards, there was Beauty, there was wine. All these and security were within. Without was the “Red Death.”

Join us this October for an evening of intrigue when Lyndhurst Mansion transforms into Prince Prospero’s Abbey from Edgar Allan Poe’s The Masque of the Red Death. This immersive theater experience will take you through the Gothic halls of our 1842 historic home, dressed in the garish colors and grotesque beauty of Poe’s 1842 horror story.

Performed and produced by Irvington Shakespeare Company, guests will experience the feverish masquerade as a guest of Prospero, walking with delight and dread from room to room as they hear the tale of the doomed revelers.

Important Information, Please Read:

• Geordanes of Irvington will be on-site to sell sweet treats.
• Discreetly staged performances step off every 20 minutes, ensuring a private group experience.
• Plan to be on the property for approximately an hour. 
• Please check in at the Welcome Center 15 minutes before your performance start time.
• Be advised that this event requires standing and flights of stairs. 
• A limited number of tickets are available for each event; we recommend purchasing tickets early to avoid disappointment. 
• Because of the theatrical nature of the performance, we may accommodate latecomers only on a later show, if space allows.
• Photography, video, and audio recording are forbidden during the performance.
• All ticket purchases are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.
• Not recommended for children under 12. 
• Large bags or backpacks are not allowed in the mansion.
• To best accommodate groups, including those with special needs, please contact us in advance to make reservations at 914-303-6844.