Where is the Bard’s House?
We’ll locate the Bard’s House in an early 16th Century Palace located north of Madrid, called Palacio de Hoyuelos: https://www.palaciodehoyuelos.com/
When these walls were built, so were The Bard’s plays written.
Madrid is the major city closest to the location, so any arrivals through public mass means of transport are encouraged to consider Madrid as their general destination.
Venue Facilities
The Palace is a High-End rural palace that provides linens and towels, as well as en-suite bathrooms for all the rooms, so you don’t need to bring any other elements than your clothing and own toiletries. The venue has a big kitchen and auxiliary kitchenettes for cooking, a couple of microwaves. Fear not, as coffee, tea and snacks will be provided by the organisation and available throughout the day, as part of the experience.
On the arrival to the venue
A Bus will be provided for all players accounted for the run, departing and returning to Madrid after each run. Players that decide to use their own means of transportation, rental car, etc. can do so as well.
LarpBus will depart Madrid around 13:00 on Friday 24th, so plan your trips and arrivals to Madrid accordingly. Players will be driven back on Madrid on Sunday 26nd around 15:00. We strongly advice to leave at least 2 hours between that time and your flights planning to account for transport within Madrid from the drop location to the airport. A parallel schedule will be followed for Sonnet 4
On Accessibility and PRM
The physical real location, the palace, is partially accessible, but might not be suited for people with heavy mobility restrictions, such as wheelchair-dependent people. Crutches can be used, but there are several stairs to access some (not all) of the bedrooms, however the game will happen in walkable areas, but we can’t promise seamless transitions between areas. It’s still a 16th century building.
Sign-Up Info and Waiting List.
Sign-up will be opened on March 10th, 2025, and will continue until April 30th, 2025. Entry and waiting list status will be communicated on May 7th, 2025. That is the first moment that security cross-checks will be sent.
There will be no advantages for people doing the signup first or last, it is not a first-come/first-serve basis. Casting spots will be determined by a draw and will be communicated privately. Those that are not given a spot at that time will be given a spot on the waiting list and should there be a second run open due to signups, people that originally signed up will be given preference.
In case of a massive demand that guarantees a proper minimal casting of 15 people per Sonnet, including dropouts buffer, a new Sonnet will be open, in close dates, and maybe the same location.
Sonnets (Runs) Dates
These are the third and fourth open runs of The Bard’s Tale.
Sonnet 3 will take place on the weekend of October 24th, 2025, up to October 26th. Game will end on Saturday 25th evening. Departure from the venue is scheduled for 26th morning.
Sonnet 4 will take place on the weekend of October 31st, 2025, up to November 2nd. Game will end on Saturday 1st evening. Departure from the venue is scheduled for Sunday 2nd during the morning.
Should there be further Sonnets managed within the same period, the dates will be announced here and in Discord.
Tickets and cancellation policies
Tickets
The ticket price is to be confirmed, but will be 375 EUR per person, with subsidized and sponsor (for the subsidized tickets) options. Remember, we don’t make any money out of it. The whole price of the ticket is to cover for the cost of the event.
We are open to the possibility of subsidized tickets and sponsoring tickets. Sponsoring tickets will be of 500 EUR, and subsidized tickets will be reduced to 200 EUR. There will be a minimal of two subsidized tickets, sponsored by the organisation on a personal capacity, should more people get Sponsoring tickets, more subsidized tickets will be available.
What is covered in the ticket?
The ticket covers the following:
- Sleeping place in the venue above, that includes linens, towels in a room up to a double standard room with private bathroom. You will have to share a room with other players. Sleeping arrangements process will try to assign double beds for people that can sleep together.
- Spot on the bus to and from the Venue, departing from Madrid and arriving back to Madrid. Bus schedule will be confirmed prior to the Sonnet.
- Food from Tea time of day 1 up to breakfast of day 3 of the run, home made, with custom menus for vegans and allergic people, with multiple traditional cuisines including Spanish taken into account.
- Character, specific props and a physical edition book from the play of your Thespian.
Ticket Payments
Payment can be made in up to two (2) installments. First one will be of 100 EUR, that will confirm your spot. You can also choose to pay up all your ticket upfront. This payment will be due before June 30th, 2025, as it will be your confirmation for your spot. Should you choose to waive your spot, no payment will be needed before that given date.
Second installment will be due before August 24th, 2025.
The whole ticket must be paid in full before the 2 calendar months mark. (For Sonnet 3, it will be before August 24th, 2025).
Should you not pay the second installment in time, the organisation retains the right of cancelling your ticket unillateraly due to lack of payment.
Cancellation policies
Should you choose to, for whatever reason, cancel your attendance, there are very clear policies on money return:
Cancellation Up to 3 calendar months before the event: An administrative fee of 50 EUR will be deducted from the total paid amount at that point, the rest will be refunded.
Up to 2 calendar months before the event series (before August 24th, 2025) : 50% of the paid ticket price will be refunded.
In the last calendar 2 months before the event series (during or after August 24th, 2025 for Sonnet 3): NO REFUNDS. Most of the cost of your ticket goes to services and components that need to be paid well in advance.
Ticket Transfer
Should you decide to withdraw your attendance, you can still transfer your spot to whomever you decide. Any money, payment or arrangement that goes between you and the transferee is not to be handled by this organization in any way. In any case, the date policies will still apply to the new holder of the spot. Communicate with organization should this become necessary.
Interest Group and Discord Server
Since the intention of this larp is to be run several times, we’ve created a Discord Server to keep interests groups, sonnet groups and Thespians alike.
Invite will be shared via mail
Attendance Refusal & Ilegalities
At any point, before or during the event, the organizer retains the right to refuse attendance of a participant. Should this measure be taken, the ticket price will be refunded in full.
Comission of crimes
Should any participant engage in any illegal activities or commit a crime during the sonnet, they will be immediately withdrawn from the game and made available to the law enforcement authorities, with our full cooperation and proof availability.