Faire: Should it be Fantasy or Historically Accurate or a Mix?

[nliedel]

My friend just gave me a heck of an answer for this debate. "If you don't let legally clothed people in, because you don't think they fit. Then, you're nothing more than a nightclub, picking and choosing it's patrons."

I loved it.

[Cobaltblu]

I think perhaps the best way to handle someone in a scifi costume (like "Chris the Robot") is to approach them and react how someone in the renaissance would react...or maybe instead of trying to behead them or burn them at the stake...inquire about their clothing and maybe they will either go away or get interested in getting more appropriate garb.

Honestly the more I think about it I wouldn't mind walking over to "Chris the Robot" and talking to him in character.  If he is purposely being a moron then maybe he will see that he isn't annoying people...and if he somehow had good intentions maybe he will take my example and wear more appropriate garb the next time.

Regards,

CB

[Once Debauched]

Just to play devil's advocate, then... would this be interpreted as mocking TRF by making a miniscule effort, doing the best he could given whatever resources he might have at hand, or just having a little tongue-in-cheek fun?



Not knowing the guy myself, I lean toward option #3, but others may see it differently; someone here may know him and be able to answer the question for certain. Me, I just thought it was pretty funny.

I totally LOVE the duct tape! I think as long as someone makes some kind of effort, even a comical one, they should be appreciated.  I hate to think what some of you would of said about the 3 guys who came to GSLRF in bed sheets as Scotsmen!

[Dirtfarmer]

I thought scotsmen normally wore bedsheets... well, more like wool blankets. J/K, but if you want to get technical, kilts would not be period either, although anyone except for the most nazi of garb nazis could care less since the normal kilt wearing person does nothing but add to the faire.

As far as duct tape tin armor man, I am much more offended by someone in a pair of period breeches and shirt/jerkin that is wearing tennis shoes than a guy that comes in like this.  He is rather benign when it comes down to it.  If he or chris the robot or super geek sci-fi man wants to come in and interrupt the show, the stage performers and street cast in may cases are pretty well equipped to rip them a new one.  I know I'll give pretty polite "go away signs" at first, but have no problem and have had no problem tongue lashing trouble makers in the middle of the street when needed. 

[Count Adolfo]

OK, you know, this discussion has gotten me thinking... maybe we need to have a "wear your garb out to dinner" day!
I mean, not after Faire or before Faire or even during Faire season where you are... just to see who says what.
Don't act out of place or even seem at all aware that you're 'dressed up' and if someone (like a waiter) asks what you're dressed up for, simply reply...
"dinner"

[Valiss]

Don't forget that they have "fantasy fairies" where they explicitly encourage guests to come in all kinds of costumes.  There are fairies, dragons, wizards, as well as non-faire inspired costumes, including sci-fi.  All in all it would seem more appropriate to wear those costumes to that kind of event and at least attempt a more authentic renaissance style of dress at a ren faire.

[Queen Bonnie]

 I am a Lady wizard and a Queen.  If you don't like me- off with your head- or I have a bag of spells and a loaded wand! POOF! Fantasy and historically accurate can mix! Tis my Royal Decree!

[Taffy Saltwater]

I doff my chapeau to thee, o munificent majesty.  Thou art truly wiser than Solomon and more generous of spirit than snarks.

[Tygrkat]

I am a Lady wizard and a Queen.  If you don't like me- off with your head- or I have a bag of spells and a loaded wand! POOF! Fantasy and historically accurate can mix! Tis my Royal Decree!

The Queen has spoken! LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!!! 


I have been watching this thread for quite some time, and wanted to think my response through thouroughly.

I am just learning about what is truly H/A, both in terms of garbing/accoutrement, and speech & mannerism, although I have been going to Faires since 2004. My 'garb' as it is now couldn't pass as H/A  {this is what I wore for Pirate's Weekend last season ~ http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b155/tigereatsfire/trouble.jpg , my wedding gown is DEFINITELY closer to H/A than anything I've ever worn  }, but as time for sewing and budget allows,{and my persona/personae ~ I'm a Gemini, there's ALWAYS more than one  ~ develop}, I plan to move toward more H/A garb for a number of reasons, but I also never felt unwelcome in any of my 'attempts' at garbing thus far.

All the shows and shiny bits aside, what keeps me coming back year after year is the FANTASY of an HISTORICALLY ACCURATE environment.

I am too fond of the the flushies and tomatoes and {generally} decent hygiene to wish for a truly H/A Faire, but my love for Faires as they are do cause me to chafe a bit {ok, a lot} at those who would behave inappropriately, intentionally, and especially in large enough numbers to 'disrupt the entire atmosphere/environment of the Faire'.

One or three "Time Travelers" or grown-ups 'playing knight in duct-tape armor' add a bit of something more than the usual crowd for cast and playtrons to play with, IMHO, and {some of} the rest of us enjoy watching a Lady and her maids conversing with whatever may stroll by, and doing their best to keep in context. I admire the quick wit and silver tongue that can keep in character in those circumstances! 

I do LOVE the historical aspects of Faire, and would hope that a welcoming, if witty and playful, environment would encourage the 'otherwise costumed' to explore just why Rennies do have more fun 

Being willing to invite others 'into your sandbox' as they are, as long as they're willing to 'play nicely' is more important to me than playing 'the right way'...just my two coins

[Al-Nimer]

"Chris the Robot" as seen at The Sterling Renaissance Festival in 2007 (Not on Cast Obviously...Thank God).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCIlPWc4F3s

If people were not calling him a robot, it's really not that bad for a kid's attempt at "aluminum foil knight" costume 

[Al-Nimer]

Just thought of something about Storm Trooper armor...If one were to spray-paint the entire outfit with chrome or silver-looking paint, so that it looked like knight armor, it could pass for a knight in shining armor 
The mechanics of the two are not all that different.

[Cobaltblu]

"Chris the Robot" as seen at The Sterling Renaissance Festival in 2007 (Not on Cast Obviously...Thank God).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCIlPWc4F3s

If people were not calling him a robot, it's really not that bad for a kid's attempt at "aluminum foil knight" costume 

Maybe not that bad for a KID'S attempt but he was a grown man...

Regards,

CB

[Anna Iram]

I suppose the real trick to faire is to look beyond what is seen as a box covered with tin foil and see the knight inside.

Perhaps that should be said of *all* of our attempts.

[silverstah]

I suppose the real trick to faire is to look beyond what is seen as a box covered with tin foil and see the knight inside.

Perhaps that should be said of *all* of our attempts.

Well said, Anna!

[PurpleDragon]

Is Faire Not The Fantasy?  I mean isn't our weekend escape into this realm an escape from reality into a fantasy world where we take on another identity and "live" in another world?  Yes, it would be nice to NOT see stormtroopers or Darth Vader walking around, but those people pay their money to get in just like everyone else, and besides, they give us someone/something to make fun of.