Md part otto, longish...and fun
Oct. 17th, 2007 08:53 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ptpgradThat being said, there is a weekend to complete a recap on, standard caveats apply about names, order, times, etc. This is one before the last so it’s special…like me (sorry, you need to see the Super Stupina Show to get that one).
A FAMILY AFFAIR
I head to site early to make sure that everything is set before tonight’s arrivals. Lelio’s mother left for home only moments before my parents arrived on Friday. After some confusion on standard family things, we agree to go out to a little Italian place nearby for a belated b-day dinner. The staff remembers me and I ask about the one person from their staff who came to faire and had been filming the shows. He has moved, but I leave my card to forward to him. Hopefully it will work. We head home and crash shortly after.
WHAT WAS I THINKING
I get up on time and head to site waving at my slightly awake parents. It’s finally cold and I am in layers today, 4 on top and 2 below. I arrive at site to see a fully made up Q-tip in fuzzy boots walking up to me. Trinket is early and prepared for the weather. Stretching in cold isn’t a great idea, so extra care has to be taken. A woman from the ticket booths come by and voices dismay that we are done singing, as that is her “bright spot of the morning” to hear us, as she never gets in to enjoy the shows. We sing an impromtu for her and hand her the tickets I was going to drop off earlier, as “payment.” I do a few slightly more vigorous exercises to get the body temp up, we sing, make up, and head to do sound…with a break at the bathroom, since something I ate the night before is fighting with me, and it’s my fault, I shouldn’t have gotten it, I knew better. Urghle.
PENDING MOMENTS
We get to the White Hart and there is no sound. We run the song we are working on, which will likely be put on hold till NCRF, and set up our system and wait. I fix the costume piece that had a rip, and we wait. I run to the privy again…blast it, and we wait. I am about to give up and go get changed when the system is set and we start to check. Her system goes out and we have to rebattery it. I take home the duds for recharging. It is now past nine and I have to run to get ready. I think I might be a bit short as people are sauntering around and saying hello, but I just don’t have the time. I run to the costume house and grab the props and set them up at Gatehouse, then back down the hill to the room of hoops and try to get ready.
LAYERS FOR WARMTH
Inside, there are not-complaints about the cold (we were told many weeks ago after th 100 degree day, that when it got cold, we could not complain) as we all got our layers. Ironically, once I add the socks to Stupina and put on the hood, which I did before cast call, I am warm enough, even if my fingers are cold. There are welcomes and goodbyes this weekend with the return of Digger Gravesly, who I KEPT calling Chance Darewithal…poor Digger had to keep correcting me. Guess I am getting senile. I am sure he is sore from lugging around the coffin, but it was nice to see that vision in our village again. The Bloody Drama crowd was to be treated by the return of one of the originals. Leaving for the season at the end of this weekend was Zach Rackham, Emrys Fleet, Jean Cabot, Hack and Slash, and David Van der Veer. Once notes are finished, we BEEP and head to the gate, but way of the privy.
NERVOUS PREPARATIONS
I bring the mask with me, as I am not sure how long I will be and I don’t want to be stuck with my face on the fountain and me in the big blue box. Luckily, it isn’t bad and I head out. I talk to the powers that be in my head and tell them that I am not allowed to be needing the bathroom once the day starts, cause that can make all kinds of hell with a timed schedule. Luckily, I am back on street, mask on and lozenged up by the time the gates open. As the king comes in, since the patrons really can’t see me, I stick my thumb on my nose and wiggle my fingers at the king, he wiggles his back at me with a laugh. I like it that nobility likes me for being irreverent. BOOM, and the gates open.
DEAR GOD, WHEN DOES IT END
The crowd starts pouring in, and in, and in. I am glad I warned my parents to come early as the traffic is going to start backing up badly. I see them in the rush and Stupina hugs them. They wander off into the crowd and I continue to hug and say goodbye to the dozens and dozens of people flowing in. Finally, the main crowd ends and I see that lines are starting to form at the ticket lines, so I grab some programs and head out. I do this twice to get the lines covered and head back in. Now I wander a bit, but not far or much, as it’s almost time for the Stupina show. I go backstage and to the bathroom again. Body mostly listened, just not enough. I head back to the stage, grab Mr. Pig and head out to hawk.
THE PEOPLE THAT YOU MEET
I bring out Mr. Pig and offer him for hugs, since he is so very soft and cuddly. Many patrons take me up on the offer and talk to Mr. Pig. A few even come to the show, including a lady with a STUNNING necklace in blue, that I comment on. Today, the audience is better, the Arch Nemesis is better, the show is recorded. My Sidekick is a bit wanting to hurt his uncle the AN, but I seems to make it work. There are many people who have not seen the show yet, such as the queen from NCRF, who seem to enjoy themselves. The show ends and I gather props after a few quick hellos and a reminder to my parents when they should find Columbina on stage. I clear a bit later than normal and head backstage. I go to get the sign and the curtain pulls down on me…for the 3rd time this season, I swear, that damn thing just likes the Teatro sign…or Stupina. Either way, I stop to fix it again. Then down the stairs to de-mask.
COOL WEATHER CHANGES THINGS
I am not pouring down sweat for once, but I am warm. We pack up the props and I head down the hill with Trinket. She is hungry (cold does that) and runs out to grab something to eat while I being the transition. I fix makeup, pull the curls, and when Lisa returns, she helps me hold the visible brain in place and helps me lace in. Again, we get the dress completely closed, but I still end up sliding into the dress the rest of the day. I hate that. Ah well. I am organizing my stuff and my mug falls on the floor, and the handle cracks off. CRAP. Luckily, Trinket has the back up I lent her. For the show, we agree to switch mugs so she gets the smaller one, just for visuals, but afterwards, we will switch back. And out we go.
THE GENEROSITY OF ROYALTY
I am met in the street by a noble lady from another shire, who is a friend. She is still wearing that amazing necklace. I comment again on how lovely it is. And show her how mine has started to fall apart with use. She says you really like it? I say yes, it’s gorgeous, you have great taste. “Do you covet it” Well, a little bit, I mean it’s stunning, “Then take it off of me, it’s yours.” WhaT? Um. It’s yours, I can’t…”Go ahead, if you appreciate it that much, you should own it.” She has pearls in the car, so she puts them on me and leaves with a smile saying, they are beautiful, NOW, I can see what they look like. I am floored.
THE FANS IN FORCE
We get to the pub and prepare for the show getting the sign, setting up our mics, getting our mugs filled and refilled (I still keep drinking), and our Tshirts ready…what’s that you say? Why yes, the Interpreters DOES have Tshirts. And you know you want one…we have women’s and men’s sizes so you can all fill out that macho or girlie side of yourself. Just saying. The show, again recorded, feels pretty good. I see my parents in the audience laughing, which is a good sign. The energy is fun, the Tshirts get a laugh, and afterwards, after the standard requests for a cd, which we don’t have YET, we sell Tshirts, I get a message from a friend who could not make it, which even the teller doesn’t get, but I do, and had sent the same message to him the week before.
NOTES WITH THE PROFESSIONAL
We pack up our sound and my parents are waiting. I introduce them to a few of the people who have taken a shine to us. Then, they head to get a table while Trinket and I buy our lunch. Two steaks on a stake later (and dear god the lines were bad), I am sitting with my parents and my dad and I are going over notes. For those of you who don’t know, my dad is a professional actor, not well known, unless you count that History Channel commercial where he was a janitor talking about the Visigoths. He is also a playwright and I will sometimes talk to him about the work I am doing. He gives me more notes on the Stupina Show that I take under advisement then tells me how much he likes the Interpreters. He likes our chemistry, the music, and we talk about a few other ideas. My mom has some too, but they would be for another show entirely. A little while later, we have to head out to do more work. I hug them goodbye, since I doubt I will see them again, and off we all go our several ways.
WILL IT NEVER END
While Trinket heads to the Costume house to get ready for Elephant Child, with an under the weather Elvisolb, I go to get Baby Stupina. I stop for one song with Cat and the Fiddle then head to the front gate area. I see LONG lines outside of people still buying tickets, at 3:00pm. I head ouside and try to entertain. I see no one has programs and realize there is a better use of my time. I take Stupina back quickly and gather programs instead. Outside, I begin to hand them out. I see a few other performers join the lines to help and eventually they are moving quickly. I head back in and instead do some goodbye duty. Finally, its time for me to wander in to the village again. I stop briefly by Fairy Godmother, then I meet a man, who has not quite learned the right technique yet.
HAND KISSING 101
I begin to give him a lesson. He does well, then, the partner of the random woman I picked for him to woo comes up and I make HIM try it, but he isn’t learning as well, so I have to do it again. At this time, the Rat Puck game is about to start and I have to quick time the lesson. It all works well and he shows some promise. I head farther into the village and chat with patrons new to the fest. It’s amazing that there are so many amazing moments, but in a long day, even those end up blending, I think, oh, this would make a good story, but by the time I write this, it’s almost non existent again. Sigh. I know there was cool stuff. I think I saw Cindie D out of her booth for a shooter or the like, I talked with others and I know I gave another lesson. I ran into the partner of the first woman and checked that he remembered what I taught him. Not bad.
FOOD FOR WAITING
I meet up with Trinket near the pub and we both agree we need to eat something before faire closes. Looking at the crowds, and they were intense, I know I will be VERY hungry before I can leave, so on the advice of a singing Bob, we get red beans and rice…MMMMMMM. Spicy, warm, tasty. That and some corn hits the spot. Trinket does not eat her corn to it’s fullest and I end up doing the second round and catch what she missed. We are visited by rose sellers, patrons, playtrons, friends, and more. Finally, Wolgemut is done playing and it’s getting cold, so we head to the costume house to change before the rush.
LAYERED AND WAITING
We change and are out before the main rush, but barely. I sort the Tshirt funds to make sure we don’t have excess cash around, it’s just safer, and we layer up to sit outside. The wait is long for the parking lot. No one is going anywhere soon. We get comfy and get silly. We plan to meet a friend for dinner once we get out of here. Eventually, around 8pm, it’s safe to get out to our car. We call the friend, but he ends up bagging out on us. We are annoyed, it does turn out though, that he was sick, not just dumping us, so we felt a little better about it the next day. We change our plans and head to eat at CPK again. It’s crowded, so we sit at the bar, where lo and behold our favorite waiter is. He is just about to become a daddy. We chat with him and others about the faire, and before we leave, we regale them with Parting Glass and a quick Thing Be. They are smiling and in good spirits and we take our leave, head home, and crawl into bed after washing the dirt and lipstick of Trinket’s face plant (that ended up on my chemise) off of my shirt. Another long day to come, and we must rest.
BRAND NEW MORN
And Trinket and I head out via Hardees for breakfast. Once on site, the standard warming up, stretching, and hair/makeup prep. We hear the sound check screeching at the gatehouse as the levels are reset. We are running the show to make sure we get the lines right, since we are trying to tape this weekend. Then, we head to the White Hart to set sound. It’s set a bit earlier today, which is helpful. Once that is set, we head to get ready for the day. I set Stupina props, and head in to get dressed. It feels less cold to me today, maybe I am just a bit more used to it. Others are feeling the chill more and they are glad for all the bodies in the dressing room to bring up the temperature. I get dressed, adding socks, put on the scarf and head out. I am looking at everyone in cloaks and am surprised, I even put back my gloves as they don’t seem necessary.
RECAPING THE SEASON
Morning meeting is gifted with the presence of our fearless leader, Mr. Smith, Jr., thank all of us for a great season and complimenting us on our professionalism, which was highly evident to the Dinner Impossible crew, which they told him. I know that often the outside-in perception of us is that Rennies and those performing/working at Ren Faires as screwed up hippies and the like. It’s nice to prove to others working in the field how very wrong they are. Respect is a rare thing for us, it’s nice to get it from those making solid livings in their field. While his thoughts are kind and important, well, they are a bit wordy and morning meeting ends with many of us running to gate to start on time.
THE BRIGHT AND SHINING FACES
The cannons boom, I make faces at his Maj again, and the gates open while the crowd rolls in. While there are less before gate opens than the day before, once the crowd starts pouring in, we are rather surprised. More and more flow in making Mrs. Pugh rethink her previous estimate. While saying goodbye, I am greeted by two blonde and energetic boys, my nephews, there with my brother. I am thrilled to see them as they missed the show last year. My brother notes he has no camera and I point him toward the souvenier booth up front. He comes back and pictures are taken, with confused discussion about what the flash sign means on the front. I finally look at it and tell them they are fine. Technology, gee. They head over to see Jean Cabot to say hello to her as well.
SHORT TERM INVISIBILITY
I take a short period of time to be Invisible (hugging a tree and yelling that I am invisible, you can’t see me), then head around the fountain greeting patrons. I see the lines and head outside with a stack of programs and then back in and off to get ready. I drink a lot of water, as I feel really dry today, and grab Mr. Pig and head out to start. We chat with patrons, we hug patrons, I let him hug them alone. I am on the fountain hawking the show and people are coming up to see me and deciding to stay for the show, some regulars, some new. Finally, I see my nephews and head to the stage to start.
A FAMILY AFFAIR, PART II
There is a nice crowd when I start and they are in a good mood. So in the show, I ask an adult patron to read my rules. Often a kid volunteers their parent and I will accept if an adult doesn’t willingly come forward. My nephews volunteer my brother, also and actor and director type, and I accept. This is the first time that we have been on stage together in many many years. He calls Mr. Pig, Bacon Boy. He sees jokes before I do and is physical, silly and fun. I don’t mind losing control a bit with him, because I KNOW he won’t let it go to far, while in a regular patron, I might not have been so brave. I end up using a little boy (rather than choosing one nephew over another in the show) and he turns out to be part of twins. Yikes. All ends well for those involved, my brother gives the best death scene of the season and the crowd is happy. I am very ashamed to realize that I forgot to thank the interpreter who helped me on the side of the stage (sign language, not singing). I am still feeling bad about that. I come down and hug my family once more as goodbye, because I know they won’t see the Interpreters. I meet his friends who turn out to be regulars of the faire and like both this show AND the Interpreters. Small world.
ADJUSTING THE TRANSITION
We sell a Tshirt (you want a tshirt, you NEED a Tshirt) and I pack up while Trinket finishes her sale. We head down and I start getting changed. BlueEowyn greets me and helps me with my much too loose bodice by over lacing it. Um, it worked for a little bit, but by the time the show started, I was sagging in again. Bummer. Not much more I can do till offseason. Sigh. Once the curls, braids and pearls are set, we head out to the street. We get to the White Hart and are organizing everything we need, including mics, tshirts, sign, etc, when up to the pub comes my brother and my nephews. I hug them again in the new incarnation and find out they needed water. I offer mine and they drink and clean up what they needed. I say real goodbyes as they are off to Shakespeare Skum’s Richard II, the one that my younger nephew recently recited at a show. Yes, my nephews quote Shakespeare and Gilbert/Sullivan. Welcome to my world.
OFF BALANCE
We get to the stage and begin to set up, when we realize one of our tassles that we bought to hang the sign are gone. We left them on stage since others could use it to hang signs and they are thin enough that they don’t get in the way. This makes sign hanging a bit of a bear and I hang it at a weird angle using the nails and the other tassel. It also pisses me off a bit as the thing was expensive and I don’t want to have to go get another one. I just hope it returns. There were comments that it was swiped by Pyratelady after their last set and some amusing behaviors, but they are pyrates, and you can never tell if they are telling the truth or not, so as far as I know, the tassel is long gone for this world.
FULL ON FRONTAL ENTERTAINMENT
It’s a good show, the audience laughs and we manage to mostly stay on the script. Whoo Hoo. I am enjoying the energy and the fun. The house isn’t as packed as yesterday, but then, nothing really is. It’s still pretty darn full and the people at the table as well as the benches are watching and singing along. After the show, we rush to the back as promised and take a few moments to enjoy those around. Then, Trinket is to the back with her steak. I am not craving steak. I do a small wander and end up back at the wrap booth, mainly because it is like stick food, there are no plates or the like to have to deal with. It makes things easier. Today, to make things a bit different, I do not sit at my normal spot, but instead decide to find a group at the Boar’s Head Tavern. This is the first time I have been in this spot during the entire run, having avoiding the sun bowl/dirt trap that is the Jousting field/Market Stage area all season.
MUNCHING WITH MR. SMART MAN
The table contains two different groups, thought I thought it was 3 when I sat. It is a couple, their friends and son, and another random couple, who left shortly after. I start conversation with them all. I have a lot of fun conversing with the little boy and confusing him a bit to the amusement of their family. He sings songs about puke to me and tries to remember the tune to “Dead and Bloated”. I tell him about “Fat and Greasy” and tell him if he finds the one song, I will find the other…well, I have to go look up dead and bloated for him now. Gotta live up to my end of the bargain. Let’s see if we get him interested in Fats Waller. Eventually, I finish my meal and head out. All in all, it was a lovely conversation.
AND THE LINES RUN LONG
I head toward the front and grab a fixed Baby Stupina. We have a lovely little walk and then I see the lines outside again. It’s 3:00 pm and there are still lines of people buying tickets. I hang her up, get tickets, and head out. I only have to do one large stack to finish the lines, so its not THAT bad and I take my time chatting and making conversation with the patrons as we wait. They are amused, I am happy I am helping. Then, back in, back to Baby Stupina (southwell, where’s your mug), and wave goodbye at those leaving.
CHANGE OF PLANS
I look over toward Gatehouse, where the Elephant Child is being performed, except, I figure I must be early as Mrs. Pugh is still Mrs. Pugh, Xander is in Green and there is no sign of ElvisOLB or Trinket. I hear from Southwell that Culpepper has TOTALLY lost his voice and can’t perform. They send him home and the other actors are there to tell those that show up that the show was cancelled. Crap. A lot of people had waited till the end of the run to see the show. I just hope he is better by next weekend. Poor dear. As I go to put Baby Stupina back, I am greeted by a gentleman in bright Yellow and black who I had told about the show last weekend. Turns out it was one of his favorite stories and he was hoping to see it. I think he will be at faire this upcoming weekend, so hopefully he can see it then. We wander back into the village and I leave him to give another lesson in hand kissing.
MUSIC OF THE WORLD
After more wandering, I head toward Stub Toe, another lane I haven’t been in, as I was informed that the lady of Sleeping Dragon had something for me. I arrive and she hands me pics of me from my second year performing at faire…about 11 or so years ago. They are quite amusing. I also see Bruno of Wolgemut and Neidfyre. She is sad she has missed my shows, but duty calls. We are greeted by patrons and she sing a bit in Yiddish. The patrons happen to be Jewish, know the song, and sing along. It’s a fun Channukah ditty. I regale her with the beginning of Chad Gad Yah. Then, I sing to her in Italian. Once the other move on to other sites, I share one of the more adult songs sung to her sotto voce. She appreciates the song, as does Bruno, who has decided to make it a point to see the Interpreters next week.
WOLGEMUTTING WITH PUMPKINS
It is almost time for their show, and I am not working-ish, so we head toward the White Hart. I am looking for Trinket, who is remarkable not here…but others are arriving as there is to be a pumpkin toss between Andrew Stuart and Xander Spike. They arrive shortly after 6:00 and I help become crowd control keeping wandering people out of the line of fire. It was quite the event with the champion being bested in more than one catch. It was quite amusing. Then, they wander off after cleaning up pumpkin guts, after I tell a playtron to not pick it up in her lovely gown. It is starting to get chilly, it is starting to get dark and Wolgemut is done. I can’t find Trinket, so I figure she has headed in. I head that way myself and get completely changed and out of the way before the rush. Outside, I am welcomed into my first game of Uno with the Skum Boys who are hanging out. I get close to winning, but don’t. Once it’s time to leave, Trinket and I get hold of the lady we turned down the night before and ask her to join us tonight for food. We end up at Famous Daves and all share a garbage can lid, most of which goes home with us. Yeah, 3 people and we can’t even finish the damn thing. I am so not a guy.
THE BEGINNING OF THE END
We head home and I start the last round of laundry and crash after trying to work on music, yeah, we are workaholics, we know. We give up though, we are tired.
This weekend coming up is the last of the season, it’s going to be a bit different, especially on Sunday. But even if you don’t see me in the morning, Stupina WILL happen and the Interpreters WILL be different, at least we have plans for it…who knows what will happen before then. It has been, and continues to be, an amazing season with many surprises. Thank you to everyone who was a part of it.
Till the last report…
A FAMILY AFFAIR
I head to site early to make sure that everything is set before tonight’s arrivals. Lelio’s mother left for home only moments before my parents arrived on Friday. After some confusion on standard family things, we agree to go out to a little Italian place nearby for a belated b-day dinner. The staff remembers me and I ask about the one person from their staff who came to faire and had been filming the shows. He has moved, but I leave my card to forward to him. Hopefully it will work. We head home and crash shortly after.
WHAT WAS I THINKING
I get up on time and head to site waving at my slightly awake parents. It’s finally cold and I am in layers today, 4 on top and 2 below. I arrive at site to see a fully made up Q-tip in fuzzy boots walking up to me. Trinket is early and prepared for the weather. Stretching in cold isn’t a great idea, so extra care has to be taken. A woman from the ticket booths come by and voices dismay that we are done singing, as that is her “bright spot of the morning” to hear us, as she never gets in to enjoy the shows. We sing an impromtu for her and hand her the tickets I was going to drop off earlier, as “payment.” I do a few slightly more vigorous exercises to get the body temp up, we sing, make up, and head to do sound…with a break at the bathroom, since something I ate the night before is fighting with me, and it’s my fault, I shouldn’t have gotten it, I knew better. Urghle.
PENDING MOMENTS
We get to the White Hart and there is no sound. We run the song we are working on, which will likely be put on hold till NCRF, and set up our system and wait. I fix the costume piece that had a rip, and we wait. I run to the privy again…blast it, and we wait. I am about to give up and go get changed when the system is set and we start to check. Her system goes out and we have to rebattery it. I take home the duds for recharging. It is now past nine and I have to run to get ready. I think I might be a bit short as people are sauntering around and saying hello, but I just don’t have the time. I run to the costume house and grab the props and set them up at Gatehouse, then back down the hill to the room of hoops and try to get ready.
LAYERS FOR WARMTH
Inside, there are not-complaints about the cold (we were told many weeks ago after th 100 degree day, that when it got cold, we could not complain) as we all got our layers. Ironically, once I add the socks to Stupina and put on the hood, which I did before cast call, I am warm enough, even if my fingers are cold. There are welcomes and goodbyes this weekend with the return of Digger Gravesly, who I KEPT calling Chance Darewithal…poor Digger had to keep correcting me. Guess I am getting senile. I am sure he is sore from lugging around the coffin, but it was nice to see that vision in our village again. The Bloody Drama crowd was to be treated by the return of one of the originals. Leaving for the season at the end of this weekend was Zach Rackham, Emrys Fleet, Jean Cabot, Hack and Slash, and David Van der Veer. Once notes are finished, we BEEP and head to the gate, but way of the privy.
NERVOUS PREPARATIONS
I bring the mask with me, as I am not sure how long I will be and I don’t want to be stuck with my face on the fountain and me in the big blue box. Luckily, it isn’t bad and I head out. I talk to the powers that be in my head and tell them that I am not allowed to be needing the bathroom once the day starts, cause that can make all kinds of hell with a timed schedule. Luckily, I am back on street, mask on and lozenged up by the time the gates open. As the king comes in, since the patrons really can’t see me, I stick my thumb on my nose and wiggle my fingers at the king, he wiggles his back at me with a laugh. I like it that nobility likes me for being irreverent. BOOM, and the gates open.
DEAR GOD, WHEN DOES IT END
The crowd starts pouring in, and in, and in. I am glad I warned my parents to come early as the traffic is going to start backing up badly. I see them in the rush and Stupina hugs them. They wander off into the crowd and I continue to hug and say goodbye to the dozens and dozens of people flowing in. Finally, the main crowd ends and I see that lines are starting to form at the ticket lines, so I grab some programs and head out. I do this twice to get the lines covered and head back in. Now I wander a bit, but not far or much, as it’s almost time for the Stupina show. I go backstage and to the bathroom again. Body mostly listened, just not enough. I head back to the stage, grab Mr. Pig and head out to hawk.
THE PEOPLE THAT YOU MEET
I bring out Mr. Pig and offer him for hugs, since he is so very soft and cuddly. Many patrons take me up on the offer and talk to Mr. Pig. A few even come to the show, including a lady with a STUNNING necklace in blue, that I comment on. Today, the audience is better, the Arch Nemesis is better, the show is recorded. My Sidekick is a bit wanting to hurt his uncle the AN, but I seems to make it work. There are many people who have not seen the show yet, such as the queen from NCRF, who seem to enjoy themselves. The show ends and I gather props after a few quick hellos and a reminder to my parents when they should find Columbina on stage. I clear a bit later than normal and head backstage. I go to get the sign and the curtain pulls down on me…for the 3rd time this season, I swear, that damn thing just likes the Teatro sign…or Stupina. Either way, I stop to fix it again. Then down the stairs to de-mask.
COOL WEATHER CHANGES THINGS
I am not pouring down sweat for once, but I am warm. We pack up the props and I head down the hill with Trinket. She is hungry (cold does that) and runs out to grab something to eat while I being the transition. I fix makeup, pull the curls, and when Lisa returns, she helps me hold the visible brain in place and helps me lace in. Again, we get the dress completely closed, but I still end up sliding into the dress the rest of the day. I hate that. Ah well. I am organizing my stuff and my mug falls on the floor, and the handle cracks off. CRAP. Luckily, Trinket has the back up I lent her. For the show, we agree to switch mugs so she gets the smaller one, just for visuals, but afterwards, we will switch back. And out we go.
THE GENEROSITY OF ROYALTY
I am met in the street by a noble lady from another shire, who is a friend. She is still wearing that amazing necklace. I comment again on how lovely it is. And show her how mine has started to fall apart with use. She says you really like it? I say yes, it’s gorgeous, you have great taste. “Do you covet it” Well, a little bit, I mean it’s stunning, “Then take it off of me, it’s yours.” WhaT? Um. It’s yours, I can’t…”Go ahead, if you appreciate it that much, you should own it.” She has pearls in the car, so she puts them on me and leaves with a smile saying, they are beautiful, NOW, I can see what they look like. I am floored.
THE FANS IN FORCE
We get to the pub and prepare for the show getting the sign, setting up our mics, getting our mugs filled and refilled (I still keep drinking), and our Tshirts ready…what’s that you say? Why yes, the Interpreters DOES have Tshirts. And you know you want one…we have women’s and men’s sizes so you can all fill out that macho or girlie side of yourself. Just saying. The show, again recorded, feels pretty good. I see my parents in the audience laughing, which is a good sign. The energy is fun, the Tshirts get a laugh, and afterwards, after the standard requests for a cd, which we don’t have YET, we sell Tshirts, I get a message from a friend who could not make it, which even the teller doesn’t get, but I do, and had sent the same message to him the week before.
NOTES WITH THE PROFESSIONAL
We pack up our sound and my parents are waiting. I introduce them to a few of the people who have taken a shine to us. Then, they head to get a table while Trinket and I buy our lunch. Two steaks on a stake later (and dear god the lines were bad), I am sitting with my parents and my dad and I are going over notes. For those of you who don’t know, my dad is a professional actor, not well known, unless you count that History Channel commercial where he was a janitor talking about the Visigoths. He is also a playwright and I will sometimes talk to him about the work I am doing. He gives me more notes on the Stupina Show that I take under advisement then tells me how much he likes the Interpreters. He likes our chemistry, the music, and we talk about a few other ideas. My mom has some too, but they would be for another show entirely. A little while later, we have to head out to do more work. I hug them goodbye, since I doubt I will see them again, and off we all go our several ways.
WILL IT NEVER END
While Trinket heads to the Costume house to get ready for Elephant Child, with an under the weather Elvisolb, I go to get Baby Stupina. I stop for one song with Cat and the Fiddle then head to the front gate area. I see LONG lines outside of people still buying tickets, at 3:00pm. I head ouside and try to entertain. I see no one has programs and realize there is a better use of my time. I take Stupina back quickly and gather programs instead. Outside, I begin to hand them out. I see a few other performers join the lines to help and eventually they are moving quickly. I head back in and instead do some goodbye duty. Finally, its time for me to wander in to the village again. I stop briefly by Fairy Godmother, then I meet a man, who has not quite learned the right technique yet.
HAND KISSING 101
I begin to give him a lesson. He does well, then, the partner of the random woman I picked for him to woo comes up and I make HIM try it, but he isn’t learning as well, so I have to do it again. At this time, the Rat Puck game is about to start and I have to quick time the lesson. It all works well and he shows some promise. I head farther into the village and chat with patrons new to the fest. It’s amazing that there are so many amazing moments, but in a long day, even those end up blending, I think, oh, this would make a good story, but by the time I write this, it’s almost non existent again. Sigh. I know there was cool stuff. I think I saw Cindie D out of her booth for a shooter or the like, I talked with others and I know I gave another lesson. I ran into the partner of the first woman and checked that he remembered what I taught him. Not bad.
FOOD FOR WAITING
I meet up with Trinket near the pub and we both agree we need to eat something before faire closes. Looking at the crowds, and they were intense, I know I will be VERY hungry before I can leave, so on the advice of a singing Bob, we get red beans and rice…MMMMMMM. Spicy, warm, tasty. That and some corn hits the spot. Trinket does not eat her corn to it’s fullest and I end up doing the second round and catch what she missed. We are visited by rose sellers, patrons, playtrons, friends, and more. Finally, Wolgemut is done playing and it’s getting cold, so we head to the costume house to change before the rush.
LAYERED AND WAITING
We change and are out before the main rush, but barely. I sort the Tshirt funds to make sure we don’t have excess cash around, it’s just safer, and we layer up to sit outside. The wait is long for the parking lot. No one is going anywhere soon. We get comfy and get silly. We plan to meet a friend for dinner once we get out of here. Eventually, around 8pm, it’s safe to get out to our car. We call the friend, but he ends up bagging out on us. We are annoyed, it does turn out though, that he was sick, not just dumping us, so we felt a little better about it the next day. We change our plans and head to eat at CPK again. It’s crowded, so we sit at the bar, where lo and behold our favorite waiter is. He is just about to become a daddy. We chat with him and others about the faire, and before we leave, we regale them with Parting Glass and a quick Thing Be. They are smiling and in good spirits and we take our leave, head home, and crawl into bed after washing the dirt and lipstick of Trinket’s face plant (that ended up on my chemise) off of my shirt. Another long day to come, and we must rest.
BRAND NEW MORN
And Trinket and I head out via Hardees for breakfast. Once on site, the standard warming up, stretching, and hair/makeup prep. We hear the sound check screeching at the gatehouse as the levels are reset. We are running the show to make sure we get the lines right, since we are trying to tape this weekend. Then, we head to the White Hart to set sound. It’s set a bit earlier today, which is helpful. Once that is set, we head to get ready for the day. I set Stupina props, and head in to get dressed. It feels less cold to me today, maybe I am just a bit more used to it. Others are feeling the chill more and they are glad for all the bodies in the dressing room to bring up the temperature. I get dressed, adding socks, put on the scarf and head out. I am looking at everyone in cloaks and am surprised, I even put back my gloves as they don’t seem necessary.
RECAPING THE SEASON
Morning meeting is gifted with the presence of our fearless leader, Mr. Smith, Jr., thank all of us for a great season and complimenting us on our professionalism, which was highly evident to the Dinner Impossible crew, which they told him. I know that often the outside-in perception of us is that Rennies and those performing/working at Ren Faires as screwed up hippies and the like. It’s nice to prove to others working in the field how very wrong they are. Respect is a rare thing for us, it’s nice to get it from those making solid livings in their field. While his thoughts are kind and important, well, they are a bit wordy and morning meeting ends with many of us running to gate to start on time.
THE BRIGHT AND SHINING FACES
The cannons boom, I make faces at his Maj again, and the gates open while the crowd rolls in. While there are less before gate opens than the day before, once the crowd starts pouring in, we are rather surprised. More and more flow in making Mrs. Pugh rethink her previous estimate. While saying goodbye, I am greeted by two blonde and energetic boys, my nephews, there with my brother. I am thrilled to see them as they missed the show last year. My brother notes he has no camera and I point him toward the souvenier booth up front. He comes back and pictures are taken, with confused discussion about what the flash sign means on the front. I finally look at it and tell them they are fine. Technology, gee. They head over to see Jean Cabot to say hello to her as well.
SHORT TERM INVISIBILITY
I take a short period of time to be Invisible (hugging a tree and yelling that I am invisible, you can’t see me), then head around the fountain greeting patrons. I see the lines and head outside with a stack of programs and then back in and off to get ready. I drink a lot of water, as I feel really dry today, and grab Mr. Pig and head out to start. We chat with patrons, we hug patrons, I let him hug them alone. I am on the fountain hawking the show and people are coming up to see me and deciding to stay for the show, some regulars, some new. Finally, I see my nephews and head to the stage to start.
A FAMILY AFFAIR, PART II
There is a nice crowd when I start and they are in a good mood. So in the show, I ask an adult patron to read my rules. Often a kid volunteers their parent and I will accept if an adult doesn’t willingly come forward. My nephews volunteer my brother, also and actor and director type, and I accept. This is the first time that we have been on stage together in many many years. He calls Mr. Pig, Bacon Boy. He sees jokes before I do and is physical, silly and fun. I don’t mind losing control a bit with him, because I KNOW he won’t let it go to far, while in a regular patron, I might not have been so brave. I end up using a little boy (rather than choosing one nephew over another in the show) and he turns out to be part of twins. Yikes. All ends well for those involved, my brother gives the best death scene of the season and the crowd is happy. I am very ashamed to realize that I forgot to thank the interpreter who helped me on the side of the stage (sign language, not singing). I am still feeling bad about that. I come down and hug my family once more as goodbye, because I know they won’t see the Interpreters. I meet his friends who turn out to be regulars of the faire and like both this show AND the Interpreters. Small world.
ADJUSTING THE TRANSITION
We sell a Tshirt (you want a tshirt, you NEED a Tshirt) and I pack up while Trinket finishes her sale. We head down and I start getting changed. BlueEowyn greets me and helps me with my much too loose bodice by over lacing it. Um, it worked for a little bit, but by the time the show started, I was sagging in again. Bummer. Not much more I can do till offseason. Sigh. Once the curls, braids and pearls are set, we head out to the street. We get to the White Hart and are organizing everything we need, including mics, tshirts, sign, etc, when up to the pub comes my brother and my nephews. I hug them again in the new incarnation and find out they needed water. I offer mine and they drink and clean up what they needed. I say real goodbyes as they are off to Shakespeare Skum’s Richard II, the one that my younger nephew recently recited at a show. Yes, my nephews quote Shakespeare and Gilbert/Sullivan. Welcome to my world.
OFF BALANCE
We get to the stage and begin to set up, when we realize one of our tassles that we bought to hang the sign are gone. We left them on stage since others could use it to hang signs and they are thin enough that they don’t get in the way. This makes sign hanging a bit of a bear and I hang it at a weird angle using the nails and the other tassel. It also pisses me off a bit as the thing was expensive and I don’t want to have to go get another one. I just hope it returns. There were comments that it was swiped by Pyratelady after their last set and some amusing behaviors, but they are pyrates, and you can never tell if they are telling the truth or not, so as far as I know, the tassel is long gone for this world.
FULL ON FRONTAL ENTERTAINMENT
It’s a good show, the audience laughs and we manage to mostly stay on the script. Whoo Hoo. I am enjoying the energy and the fun. The house isn’t as packed as yesterday, but then, nothing really is. It’s still pretty darn full and the people at the table as well as the benches are watching and singing along. After the show, we rush to the back as promised and take a few moments to enjoy those around. Then, Trinket is to the back with her steak. I am not craving steak. I do a small wander and end up back at the wrap booth, mainly because it is like stick food, there are no plates or the like to have to deal with. It makes things easier. Today, to make things a bit different, I do not sit at my normal spot, but instead decide to find a group at the Boar’s Head Tavern. This is the first time I have been in this spot during the entire run, having avoiding the sun bowl/dirt trap that is the Jousting field/Market Stage area all season.
MUNCHING WITH MR. SMART MAN
The table contains two different groups, thought I thought it was 3 when I sat. It is a couple, their friends and son, and another random couple, who left shortly after. I start conversation with them all. I have a lot of fun conversing with the little boy and confusing him a bit to the amusement of their family. He sings songs about puke to me and tries to remember the tune to “Dead and Bloated”. I tell him about “Fat and Greasy” and tell him if he finds the one song, I will find the other…well, I have to go look up dead and bloated for him now. Gotta live up to my end of the bargain. Let’s see if we get him interested in Fats Waller. Eventually, I finish my meal and head out. All in all, it was a lovely conversation.
AND THE LINES RUN LONG
I head toward the front and grab a fixed Baby Stupina. We have a lovely little walk and then I see the lines outside again. It’s 3:00 pm and there are still lines of people buying tickets. I hang her up, get tickets, and head out. I only have to do one large stack to finish the lines, so its not THAT bad and I take my time chatting and making conversation with the patrons as we wait. They are amused, I am happy I am helping. Then, back in, back to Baby Stupina (southwell, where’s your mug), and wave goodbye at those leaving.
CHANGE OF PLANS
I look over toward Gatehouse, where the Elephant Child is being performed, except, I figure I must be early as Mrs. Pugh is still Mrs. Pugh, Xander is in Green and there is no sign of ElvisOLB or Trinket. I hear from Southwell that Culpepper has TOTALLY lost his voice and can’t perform. They send him home and the other actors are there to tell those that show up that the show was cancelled. Crap. A lot of people had waited till the end of the run to see the show. I just hope he is better by next weekend. Poor dear. As I go to put Baby Stupina back, I am greeted by a gentleman in bright Yellow and black who I had told about the show last weekend. Turns out it was one of his favorite stories and he was hoping to see it. I think he will be at faire this upcoming weekend, so hopefully he can see it then. We wander back into the village and I leave him to give another lesson in hand kissing.
MUSIC OF THE WORLD
After more wandering, I head toward Stub Toe, another lane I haven’t been in, as I was informed that the lady of Sleeping Dragon had something for me. I arrive and she hands me pics of me from my second year performing at faire…about 11 or so years ago. They are quite amusing. I also see Bruno of Wolgemut and Neidfyre. She is sad she has missed my shows, but duty calls. We are greeted by patrons and she sing a bit in Yiddish. The patrons happen to be Jewish, know the song, and sing along. It’s a fun Channukah ditty. I regale her with the beginning of Chad Gad Yah. Then, I sing to her in Italian. Once the other move on to other sites, I share one of the more adult songs sung to her sotto voce. She appreciates the song, as does Bruno, who has decided to make it a point to see the Interpreters next week.
WOLGEMUTTING WITH PUMPKINS
It is almost time for their show, and I am not working-ish, so we head toward the White Hart. I am looking for Trinket, who is remarkable not here…but others are arriving as there is to be a pumpkin toss between Andrew Stuart and Xander Spike. They arrive shortly after 6:00 and I help become crowd control keeping wandering people out of the line of fire. It was quite the event with the champion being bested in more than one catch. It was quite amusing. Then, they wander off after cleaning up pumpkin guts, after I tell a playtron to not pick it up in her lovely gown. It is starting to get chilly, it is starting to get dark and Wolgemut is done. I can’t find Trinket, so I figure she has headed in. I head that way myself and get completely changed and out of the way before the rush. Outside, I am welcomed into my first game of Uno with the Skum Boys who are hanging out. I get close to winning, but don’t. Once it’s time to leave, Trinket and I get hold of the lady we turned down the night before and ask her to join us tonight for food. We end up at Famous Daves and all share a garbage can lid, most of which goes home with us. Yeah, 3 people and we can’t even finish the damn thing. I am so not a guy.
THE BEGINNING OF THE END
We head home and I start the last round of laundry and crash after trying to work on music, yeah, we are workaholics, we know. We give up though, we are tired.
This weekend coming up is the last of the season, it’s going to be a bit different, especially on Sunday. But even if you don’t see me in the morning, Stupina WILL happen and the Interpreters WILL be different, at least we have plans for it…who knows what will happen before then. It has been, and continues to be, an amazing season with many surprises. Thank you to everyone who was a part of it.
Till the last report…
