A trip to MERF
Jul. 26th, 2004 11:57 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
prowler1971So, I got to spend the weekend at the Maine Renaissance Faire this past weekend. I had not expected to spend so much time there so soon in the run due to commitments with working on the joust show and all. However, circumstance allowed me to play patron at this Faire for the first time in five years. Almost...
I made the "mistake" of offering my help during set-up Saturday morning. I was drafted to work in the gaming glen throughout the day. I will say, it was a lot of fun and they do pay a percentage of the take. (They are still looking for gaming people for Saturdays if you're interested.) I worked the daggers and throwing crosses while![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
pyrateduvessa worked the Axe Throw. geminiprincess and fantasmagoria were both there to visit. Was good to see them again. I was a little busy with stuff and was unable to be as social as I might have otherwise been.
I took a break early on and watched one ofscullerywench's shows. It involved the three washing well wenches and a tale of a beaver. Was a fun show with lots of audience participation. I was sad to have missed her second show as she wound up doing it along for reasons I shall not discuss here. Reports from the field say she rocked. I did get to shut down in time to catch the brawl at the end of the day. I also saw parts of "Peasant Checkers" which I really want to see next time I get a chance.
Sunday, I took myself away from the Faire in the morning to work on joust stuff. But due to circumstances beyond our control, we were unable to work on the joust so I went over to MERF where I ran intobad_gustav and the horde he was traveling with. Walked with a them a bit and then split off so I could see scullerywench in the human chess match where she completely kicked butt. Got some nice pictures of the show too. They did a lot of different things in this show than from years past, including beginning the game mid-match. It was, overall, a good show. There were a lot of first time fighters who deserve some extra kudos. Only thing that detracted from it was one of the Queen's guards, who was calling the moves out, was being loud and moronic, and not in a funny way. I suggested he may want to shut the hell up.
I did get to seescullerywench's second show today, complete with new cast (who were apparently supposed to be observing this one time and not participating yet, one did, one didn't). I will say the show COMPLETELY kicked ass. scullerywench, in order to fill the void, used a lot of audience members to fill in for the story. She was, as always, highly animated and full of pep and vigor. She made the people she pulled on stage excited about being there and kept everyone's attention. She was, understandably, nervous as the show she had been rehearsing for months was not somewhat, if not completely, different. I think they should keep it a one person show. Not because the people now involved aren't good performer, but because it was just so damned funny.
I also got to see the "Tavern Roughhouse." Here's a logic question... Who brings a sword into a tavern? What tavern owner would LET people bring in swords? The result, a brawl with all found weapons and fisticuffs. Anyone can put on a fight show with swords. It takes some real ingenuity to due it with mugs, pans and handkerchiefs. A drinking contest, a "bigger idiot" contest and some good ole rough housin. Kitty Clean (played byscullerywench) and Capt Grace O'Malley (played by remj) tear up the boys and then tear up each other. Once again trying different things than in the past, the audience was gripped throughout and was clearly having fun.
Also sat through an MOA show. I don't normally see them due to having cast commitments, so I sat through one for the first time in 5 years. Reports from the first weekend were disappointing. Apparentlydanielgreyman and Jedd felt the same way (or so they told me) and made vast improvements. I did not see the first show, but the second, due to my fellow GBU compatriots, started off with "Stupid Morgan Tricks". Mogan Handsome blowing peanuts out of his nose and showing change up there ($1.70 in each nostril) opened the show. The show was entertaining and I'm glad I got to see it. However, I missed "Peasant Checkers" as a result.
Finally, I got to see the pageant at the end of the day. It features a rather twisted battle of the sexes soccer match with lots of betting. Then the MOA come and fight for the pleasure of the nobles and crowd. And then there's a brawl that starts with Essex, O'Malley and Raleigh(sp) fighting it out and the town getting involved. The end result is a good dunking for the three of them.
All in all, a good time to be had. Still a show worth going to. Problems last year have resulted in fewer vendors and indy acts than in past years. Attendance was clearly lower than wanted. The lack of a joust or armored combat (purely logistical and bad timing reasons) is likely hurting the show attendance wise. But nobody there was saying, "Hey? Where's the joust?" People just enjoy the new ending show. The directors and cast are to be commended on a job well down, especially considering some of the chaos occurring behind the scenes.
There are lots of veterans back this year, all of whom are performing to high standards. It's good to see a cast really putting all their energy into this show. Naturally, I have my favorites (scullerywench tops the list) of course. And I thought I'd mention some of the new folks who have joined the cast this year and really made an impression on me.
Derek Brigham - Seamus Crow - Pirate 2nd Mate
Holly Andrew - Elizabeth Regina Gloriana, Queen of England
Ben Howard - Teige O'Keefe - Pirate Cabin Boy
Ben is all of thirteen and performed with the composure and skill of someone who has been performing for a long time. He was especially impressive.
Holly had to step into the role of Queen, tough shoes to fill in any case, especially when one considers the departing queen.
Derek just amused the hell out of me. He plays the kind of character I will not soon forget.
Of the veteran cast, a lot of people really stepped up in their second year in the cast. Folks really had to step up into higher profile roles and positions of authority.
Michelle Tinkham - Kitty Clean - Washer Woman and Fight Captain
Dustin Abbott - Sir Robert Devereux - Earl of Essec
Silas Leavitt - Rif Rafe - Pirate Crewman
Dustin Abbot was a late addition to last year's Faire, playing the role of a consistently lost map maker. He performed his duties well. He really stepped up this year and I see him only getting better.
Silas joing the Faire two years ago, during the Robin Hood plot, at the ripe old age of twelve. He performed very well that year, including taking on a fight with me and Chris Dodge. He took last year off and returned this year performing up to the same standards... but ingesting less sugar. (Hyper 12 year olds are NOT fun.)
Michelle was a "Lady in Waiting" my first year of MERF. She was gone for the next two years and returned last year as "Anne Hardy, Scullery Wench, Scullery Wench's Incorporated". This is the line that got my attention and really made me notice her last year. I'm so glad I did. I'm so amazingly proud of her for all she's done this year and taking on the additional duties of fight captain and production assistant. She was responsible for a lot of the costuming, including the Queen's gown.
Naturally, I have a certain bias toward this last performer. I frequently find I have a tough time telling her just how much I think of her using the right words. All I know is she makes me wish I was involved with this Faire once again. I wish I could be on stage, performing with her and (as I would consider it a privilege) having her as a fight partner.
Now get thee to the Faire.
I made the "mistake" of offering my help during set-up Saturday morning. I was drafted to work in the gaming glen throughout the day. I will say, it was a lot of fun and they do pay a percentage of the take. (They are still looking for gaming people for Saturdays if you're interested.) I worked the daggers and throwing crosses while
pyrateduvessa worked the Axe Throw. geminiprincess and fantasmagoria were both there to visit. Was good to see them again. I was a little busy with stuff and was unable to be as social as I might have otherwise been.I took a break early on and watched one of
scullerywench's shows. It involved the three washing well wenches and a tale of a beaver. Was a fun show with lots of audience participation. I was sad to have missed her second show as she wound up doing it along for reasons I shall not discuss here. Reports from the field say she rocked. I did get to shut down in time to catch the brawl at the end of the day. I also saw parts of "Peasant Checkers" which I really want to see next time I get a chance.Sunday, I took myself away from the Faire in the morning to work on joust stuff. But due to circumstances beyond our control, we were unable to work on the joust so I went over to MERF where I ran into
bad_gustav and the horde he was traveling with. Walked with a them a bit and then split off so I could see scullerywench in the human chess match where she completely kicked butt. Got some nice pictures of the show too. They did a lot of different things in this show than from years past, including beginning the game mid-match. It was, overall, a good show. There were a lot of first time fighters who deserve some extra kudos. Only thing that detracted from it was one of the Queen's guards, who was calling the moves out, was being loud and moronic, and not in a funny way. I suggested he may want to shut the hell up.I did get to see
scullerywench's second show today, complete with new cast (who were apparently supposed to be observing this one time and not participating yet, one did, one didn't). I will say the show COMPLETELY kicked ass. scullerywench, in order to fill the void, used a lot of audience members to fill in for the story. She was, as always, highly animated and full of pep and vigor. She made the people she pulled on stage excited about being there and kept everyone's attention. She was, understandably, nervous as the show she had been rehearsing for months was not somewhat, if not completely, different. I think they should keep it a one person show. Not because the people now involved aren't good performer, but because it was just so damned funny.I also got to see the "Tavern Roughhouse." Here's a logic question... Who brings a sword into a tavern? What tavern owner would LET people bring in swords? The result, a brawl with all found weapons and fisticuffs. Anyone can put on a fight show with swords. It takes some real ingenuity to due it with mugs, pans and handkerchiefs. A drinking contest, a "bigger idiot" contest and some good ole rough housin. Kitty Clean (played by
scullerywench) and Capt Grace O'Malley (played by remj) tear up the boys and then tear up each other. Once again trying different things than in the past, the audience was gripped throughout and was clearly having fun.Also sat through an MOA show. I don't normally see them due to having cast commitments, so I sat through one for the first time in 5 years. Reports from the first weekend were disappointing. Apparently
danielgreyman and Jedd felt the same way (or so they told me) and made vast improvements. I did not see the first show, but the second, due to my fellow GBU compatriots, started off with "Stupid Morgan Tricks". Mogan Handsome blowing peanuts out of his nose and showing change up there ($1.70 in each nostril) opened the show. The show was entertaining and I'm glad I got to see it. However, I missed "Peasant Checkers" as a result.Finally, I got to see the pageant at the end of the day. It features a rather twisted battle of the sexes soccer match with lots of betting. Then the MOA come and fight for the pleasure of the nobles and crowd. And then there's a brawl that starts with Essex, O'Malley and Raleigh(sp) fighting it out and the town getting involved. The end result is a good dunking for the three of them.
All in all, a good time to be had. Still a show worth going to. Problems last year have resulted in fewer vendors and indy acts than in past years. Attendance was clearly lower than wanted. The lack of a joust or armored combat (purely logistical and bad timing reasons) is likely hurting the show attendance wise. But nobody there was saying, "Hey? Where's the joust?" People just enjoy the new ending show. The directors and cast are to be commended on a job well down, especially considering some of the chaos occurring behind the scenes.
There are lots of veterans back this year, all of whom are performing to high standards. It's good to see a cast really putting all their energy into this show. Naturally, I have my favorites (
scullerywench tops the list) of course. And I thought I'd mention some of the new folks who have joined the cast this year and really made an impression on me.Derek Brigham - Seamus Crow - Pirate 2nd Mate
Holly Andrew - Elizabeth Regina Gloriana, Queen of England
Ben Howard - Teige O'Keefe - Pirate Cabin Boy
Ben is all of thirteen and performed with the composure and skill of someone who has been performing for a long time. He was especially impressive.
Holly had to step into the role of Queen, tough shoes to fill in any case, especially when one considers the departing queen.
Derek just amused the hell out of me. He plays the kind of character I will not soon forget.
Of the veteran cast, a lot of people really stepped up in their second year in the cast. Folks really had to step up into higher profile roles and positions of authority.
Michelle Tinkham - Kitty Clean - Washer Woman and Fight Captain
Dustin Abbott - Sir Robert Devereux - Earl of Essec
Silas Leavitt - Rif Rafe - Pirate Crewman
Dustin Abbot was a late addition to last year's Faire, playing the role of a consistently lost map maker. He performed his duties well. He really stepped up this year and I see him only getting better.
Silas joing the Faire two years ago, during the Robin Hood plot, at the ripe old age of twelve. He performed very well that year, including taking on a fight with me and Chris Dodge. He took last year off and returned this year performing up to the same standards... but ingesting less sugar. (Hyper 12 year olds are NOT fun.)
Michelle was a "Lady in Waiting" my first year of MERF. She was gone for the next two years and returned last year as "Anne Hardy, Scullery Wench, Scullery Wench's Incorporated". This is the line that got my attention and really made me notice her last year. I'm so glad I did. I'm so amazingly proud of her for all she's done this year and taking on the additional duties of fight captain and production assistant. She was responsible for a lot of the costuming, including the Queen's gown.
Naturally, I have a certain bias toward this last performer. I frequently find I have a tough time telling her just how much I think of her using the right words. All I know is she makes me wish I was involved with this Faire once again. I wish I could be on stage, performing with her and (as I would consider it a privilege) having her as a fight partner.
Now get thee to the Faire.
