Q: I don't have a ready made table of 12, can I come on my own?
A: Tables of 12 can be reserved or simply apply on your own or with a partner
and we can make up tables
for you. Everyone is very friendly and you will soon be meeting many new people and having a
good time!
Q: I hate dressing up! Do I have to come in costume?
A: The theme of the Ball is an Italian masquerade and whilst there is no
obligation to wear a costume in that theme, we encourage you to get into the spirit of the
occasion and dress up accordingly. Ball attendees can have a lot of fun in costume -all
inhibitions are lowered, especially behind the disguise of a mask, resulting in carte blanche
for decadent behaviour!
Q: I'm a vegetarian. Will there be food for me?
A: A vegetarian set menu will also be available. Please notify the organizers of
your dietary
requirements.
Q: What if one of my party falls ill on the day?
A: Unfortunately, tickets are non-refundable. However, there is usually a
waiting list for this event,
and if we are able to resell your ticket, we will direct the ticket amount back to you.
Q: How do I purchase tickets? Is there a closing date?
A: The Booking Form can be found here and
please apply by 3rd October.
Past Oxbridge Balls have been heavily over-subscribed, so please book early to avoid
disappointment. Tickets will be sold
on a first-come, first-served basis.
Q: Whom do I contact if I still have further questions?
A: During the carnival, Venetians used to dress up in the oddest of
ways. A document with the strange title of "Different ways of dressing
up for carnival introduced by both men and women alike during the 18th
century" lists the different costumes in use. Here are but a few:
as a Turk with a pipe or sceptre
as Gnaga with a baby or a cat or a dog wrapped in swaddling clothes
as Buranello
as Tracagnan
as Brighella
as The Doctor
as Covielo
as a lawyer with papers
as Scoacamin
as Pulcinella (with a ? of macaroni)
as a lackey
as a Spaniard
as a weeping Jew
as a demon
as a hunter with a fake gun
as a trembling, gouty old man
as a Gallic invalid
as an Armenian
as a Satyr
as a kitchen-gardener with hat and basket
as a peasant-girl
as an old peasant widow
as a baker
as Piero
as Mattacino
as a butcher
as a king with his sceptre
as a medical doctor
as masqueraders on stilts
as a collier
as a street-vendor
as an astrologer
as a Pyrenese sailor
as Amazoni
as Moro
as street assassins
as armed soldiers
as masqueraders wearing suits of copper coins
as a chained dancing bear
Q: Are there any documents I can refer to for ideas?
