Size of Cast

[Mythrin]

I am doing some market research

How big is Bristol's cast?

Paid or Volunteer?

How obvious are they in the street?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

I am only a patron at Bristol, so I can't answer about the size.  I did ask about the Queen's court, because it was huge, it looked like about 30 people.  I was told they are volunteers.  I don't know if all of them are volunteers or if some are paid though.

The whole cast certainly does wander around the lanes constantly and interact with the patrons.  Jane the Phoole, wandering musicians who stop at picnic tables while people are eating to serenade them, Robin Hood, his band, the Sheriff (don't even get me started by asking how Robin Hood could interact with the Queen since they're over 3 centuries apart in time), the town criers, the Fantasticals.

There is an actual Bristol website besides the faire's.  It is:  www.bristolboard.com

It is open to everyone, but it mostly used by cast and vendors and musicians.  Maybe you could post your question there and someone who is more knowledgeable than I am can answer it.

[Baron Dacre]

Bristol is run much the same as RPFS is (same company). Guild members are volunteers (court in general), Theme Character (Queen, Jane, Dudley and I think Sir Walter, etc..) are paid.

One note. Nobody ever gets rich working faire. (even the major characters).

RPFS have had both Bristol's Dudley and Raleigh as part of our cast.

Master John Davyes
(James Mares)

[Carl Heinz]

We also shared entertainment directors (Susan and Ron Scott Fry) for a couple of years.  I think the number of participants at RPFS is somewhere between 1200 and 1400.

[Dayna]

That's pretty close Carl, and the vast majority are volunteers who get free admission and a couple of free drink tickets (non-alcoholic only) per day.

Guild directors and the "Major" personnel may get some renumeration, but no one does it for the money.

[Sir Francis Drake]

I am (don't even get me started by asking how Robin Hood could interact with the Queen since they're over 3 centuries apart in time),

Very simple. Most faires use the very thin tie-in of Elizabeth's childhood to account for Robin;since the tales of Robin Hood were a favorite of hers as a young girl. That, and the public expects certain "personages" etc; whether they or historically accurate or not.

As for size of cast; it can vary greatly from faire to faire. The Tennessee faire last year when I was a guest cast on memorial day weekend, had the smallest cast I have ever seen for its size. Conversely, the faire I am regular cast on, Fishers Indiana; had a cast of over 100 people last year for a one weekend faire!

[Lady Catherine]

As for size of cast; it can vary greatly from faire to faire. The Tennessee faire last year when I was a guest cast on memorial day weekend, had the smallest cast I have ever seen for its size. Conversely, the faire I am regular cast on, Fishers Indiana; had a cast of over 100 people last year for a one weekend faire!

that is becasue we have 5-15 weeks of Intensive training and 5 weeks of hot faire, and we are in the middle of the boonies!  and, i think sometimes interation is much better between cast on a smaller scale, if we are trained properly.

[Carl Heinz]

i think sometimes interation is much better between cast on a smaller scale, if we are trained properly.

RPFS has four weeks of workshops.  In addition, some guilds rehearse throughout the year.  At this stage, many of the participants literally have decades of experience and are able to assist newer members in their development.

[Sir Francis Drake]

As for size of cast; it can vary greatly from faire to faire. The Tennessee faire last year when I was a guest cast on memorial day weekend, had the smallest cast I have ever seen for its size. Conversely, the faire I am regular cast on, Fishers Indiana; had a cast of over 100 people last year for a one weekend faire!

that is becasue we have 5-15 weeks of Intensive training and 5 weeks of hot faire, and we are in the middle of the boonies!  and, i think sometimes interation is much better between cast on a smaller scale, if we are trained properly.

interation??? Is that some obscure Scottish dialect for interaction?     

[Lord Clisto of York]

No, my good Lord Drake, that would be "Inter Relations" for the Scots.....  

[Lady Catherine]

 

to both of you!!!! hah! no, my Lord, that is my brain working faster than my fingers!!      heh!

[Sir Francis Drake]

No, my good Lord Drake, that would be "Inter Relations" for the Scots.....  

The family tree is round eh??   

BTW, just Sir, never was made a Lord 

[Sir Francis Drake]

to both of you!!!! hah! no, my Lord, that is my brain working faster than my fingers!!      heh!

Are you sure about that? Or mayhaps the other way round??

BTW, plans are coming together, couldn't make it for cast at TN; but will be down for Memorial Day weekend at least; better than nothing.

[Lord Clisto of York]

No, my good Lord Drake, that would be "Inter Relations" for the Scots.....  

The family tree is round eh??    

BTW, just Sir, never was made a Lord  

And it gets rounder by the minute..

I will miss TN this year, as my schedule is very tight. I will be most likely at Mayfaire in Mich. Memorial time.

[Vartha]

 yeah wish you guys could make it down to Muskogee this may. Going the weekend of the 22nd & 23rd

[CecilsTanequin]

Bristol's overall cast is made up of smaller casts and guildes that have their own storylines and shows but come together throughout the faire day to create an ensemble cast and underscore the overall theme in their own unique ways.
Guilde of St. George (Court)
Guilde of St. Michael (Military)
RenQuest
By the Sword (Fight Cast)
Kids Kingdom cast
Fantastikals (Fairies)
Bristol Buskin Frolic "BBF"(peasant merry-makers)
Street Cast
Those are the various casts. St. George, St. Mike's are unpaid volunteers except the directors (but as is said, not a money-making position). I believe it's the same deal with BBF, Kids Kingdom, and the Fantastikals. ( I don't know about RenQuest). Fight Cast and Street Cast are a mix of paid and non-paid actors.
The most noticeable and interactive characters in the streets are obviously the Street Cast  and independently contracted characters such as Jane the Phoole and Merrilee Effingham the Courtesan. Next to that the Fantastikals are constantly out and about. RenQuest and BBF are pretty visible and By the Sword changes up the scenario every season with a mix of stage shows and bits of street combat. St. Mikes stays close to the military camp and Kids Kingdom cast don't usually wander far from KK. St. George is pretty visible in the streets due to our costumes but we are scheduled to be down in the glade for a large portion of the faire day. Any and ALL cast members seek to draw patrons into the fun through personal interaction. There are no velvet ropes here and no fourth wall (we usually dont even have a first, second, or third wall to be literal about it...)

Hope this helps!