Seeking The Handbook of Basics for the Serious Renaissance Player

[Ben]

Aloha, and blessings to all.  Yes, I know my greeting is not "period" but it fits.

Please pardon me if others have asked and I've missed the thread, but I seem to not be able to find what I seek.  I've been told that there is a book, pamphlet, guide, cheat sheet, manifesto, directive, regulation, law, and Royal Commandment that is titled something similar to what I wrote in the subject line...and that it is essential, required, directed, ordered, and royally commanded reading.   Is there a copy, perhaps in pdf format, somewhere online I can find and read and promise, more or less, when it suits me of course, to obey. Of course, if I give my word to obey I shall.  But I would like to read the Great Book before I am sworn to servitude.  Mahalo.

Ben

[captmarga]

I thought is used to be linked to Queen Margaret's Bower, but not finding that link there. Ah, yes, it does say you can request it, but to be truthful, I am not sure if she monitors that email any longer (http://www.angelfire.com/journal/queenmags/index.html)

It might be linked in somewhere at

http://scribe.faire.net/

This used to be linked on the old forum:

The Player's Handbook of Basics for the Serious Renaissance Faire Playtron
by Janna Casstevens, Performing Company Director, Scarborough Faire the Renaissance Festival

"Playtrons
"The playtron is the die-hard fan of a festival and its performing company. They can be the lifesavers of the actors they love so much. Often, they are personal friends of the performers. Playtrons take the time to learn the characters, the etiquette, the garb, the history and all the little nuances of what is going on at their particular venue. They build a persona that is attached to the festival and its characters. They may be future or former cast members. They are just one step away from being a part of the performing company themselves. They abide by the festival rules, including NOT entering the performing company's "keep" for any reason. They know that performers are not allowed to drop character and they play along in the lanes with respect of the actors' constraints. Often, playtrons have better costumes than the performing company! They are generally the first to be mistaken for performing company members by the audience.

Playtrons seldom, if ever, show up outside the festival grounds in garb."



Sorry, can't help any further.

Capt Marga

[Ben]

Gramercy and Mahalo Capt Marga. I sincerely thank you for your spending the time to write such a detailed reply...especially to type and share the extensive quote from HRH QM.  It was interesting reading.  Whilst unlike many I have no time or aspirations...and indeed no theatrical talent whatsoever (in the timeless words of CE..."a man's got to know his limitations"), I would like to read the full guide so I can more easily not err.  Or if I'm going to err, at least I know it and decide to do so.

Capt Marga, I also read over the link you provided.  While it is interesting, I noted that it appears, though I could be wrong on this, that the bower has not seen a posting to it since Nov 07, and months passed before that last one and the one before, and many of the previous links are sadly not now active.  You were correct in that the link you cited seems not to be active.  I explored the other link you provided http://scribe.faire.net/ and found nothing to match my quest.  Again Capt Marga, Gramercy for your efforts.  I owe you a kindness for a kindness. 

Does not anyone have a pdf or word or scanned or some other file on this revered guide?  Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.  In fact, it might be a great posting thread for this forum.

[SirRichardBear]

I know it is posted one of the playtrons groups.  I will ask if it is permissible to post it in a more public location

[Your Grace]

Ben,
you can reach HRH QM at the following email as they author she maybe able to help. Janna Lewis, Scarborough ED [scarboroughdirector@yahoo.com]

[Ben]

I know it is posted one of the playtrons groups.  I will ask if it is permissible to post it in a more public location

Gramercy Sir Richard Bear.  I think that would be splendid!  I suspect that others might find it useful and informative.

[DonaCatalina]

It can be helpful in a lot of ways, but I did not neccesarily agree with all of it.

The Marques and I are pretty serious playtrons, but because we also are members of the SCA we frequently wear garb outside the faire grounds.

I can paraphrase some of the more helpful guidelines:

1. Please avoid wearing purple out of courtesy to the cast. Many casual visitors assume anyone in purple garb is part of the faire royalty. This sometimes causes problems for the faire if you are seen doing things that cast is not supposed to be doing.

2. It is considered bad manners to deliberately try to get one of the cast to break character. Otherwise, most of them are happy to play along and bring you into their conversation. This provides lane entertainment for other guests.

3. Please do not openly criticize the garb or costume of other guests where your comments might be heard by the general public. Most causual visitors to the faire ssume that anyone in costume works there. Snide remarks and insults reflects badly on the faire and other cast members.

4. Please do not grab at the garb that cast is wearing. While the clothing is generally very strudy, jewelry or other accessories may be fragile. In addition, many cast costumes have quick release mechanisms that allows them to change quickly during the day. It would be embarrassing to all concerned if you accidentally disrobed the king.

5. Manner of address, when in doubt, My Lord or My Lady will do. If you can't remember whether your Grace or your Excellency is more appropriate, don't fash yourself over it.

6. You might also notice that Lords walk with their noble Ladies to their right. An old Renaissance quote says "A lady on the left is no lady at all". This probably has something to do with muddy streets or where a gentleman carries his sword, but if you want to 'fit in' this is good advice to remember.

7. Bowing and such. Everyone bows to the king. You bow to those nobles who outrank you. But try to bow from your knees to avoid unfortunate accidents in your wake. Usually a dip and a nod is sufficient.
A good bit of advice to explain this part of chivalry is to treat your equals as your betters, courtesy to your betters and deference to the king.

I apologize if this is a bit long-winded, but I hope it helps.

[captmarga]

Here's just a rat-fact that some may find interesting about garb/costuming outside the venue.

This originally stemmed from professionalism in Theatre.  It was considered unprofessional to appear outside (offstage) in costume.

It had significance as well.  There were time periods when actors were not in favor, and wearing theatrical makeup and costuming set one aside, ie, "marked them out" as a target (as an actor).

Also, in times past, the costumes belonged TO the theatre.  The actors could not take them off site, as they did not belong to them.  Additionally, they were taken off-site by laundresses and/or seamstresses for airing, repair, and any laundering that might be done before the next performance.

Capt. Marga (with many years of theatrical background)

[LadyMorna]

Capt. Marga, I used to do a lot of community theatre when I lived back in TN, and it was an unwritten rule that you did not appear outside the theatre in costume. I'd forgotten about that till you mentioned it.  Part of the attraction of going to Faire for me is to get to be another character. I miss theatre, but I don't have the time to devote to it these days.

Lady Morna

[SirRichardBear]

True but a kilt is never a costume its highland dress.  Its considered very bad manners to call a kilt costume.

[Brittney]

Costume or dress up, it is bad manners to wear them after faire in public. The cast is strongly discouraged/not allowed to wear our costume/dress when we go out into Waxahachie to have dinner after the show. Most of the highland gamers will change after the event as well before we go out after a games, not just here, but at every games I have been to.

Brittney

[Master Benjamin]

i notice you said most not all change

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

Costume or dress up, it is bad manners to wear them after faire in public. The cast is strongly discouraged/not allowed to wear our costume/dress when we go out into Waxahachie to have dinner after the show. Most of the highland gamers will change after the event as well before we go out after a games, not just here, but at every games I have been to.

Brittney

I can understand this for the cast, but I feel differently for a playtron.  We drive between 2 and 3 1/2 hours each way to go to faire, usually putting on some of our garb before leaving home, and leaving the last minute things (belts, pouches, hats, farthingale (me), bodice (me), boots) until the parking lot, so that we're comfortable while driving.  So when we leave faire, on the 3 hour ride home, we usually stop somewhere to eat.  We don't bring a change of clothes and wear our garb in.  I can't imagine that this could be considered bad manners.  And it also is free advertising for the faire, as many people ask why we are dressed up, and we educate them about the faire in their neighborhood.

[Angel_VII]

I agree with Lady Renee Buchanan. We don't go out of our way to be rude or do anything in bad taste, but generally the younger crowd all goes out together right after faire for food and sometimes drinks. We're not usually ready to say goodbye after cannon.

We don't wear weapons, armor, or much of the outer "last minute" dress, but Andrew keeps his kilt and poet shirt on. I keep on the skirt, blouse, and bodice. I've never heard that it was considered "bad form". And like Lady Renee said- When people ask about our "funny costumes" we direct them towards Scarborough faire. It's great advertising.


And as for the kilts- The vast majority of Grimm's garb is imported from Scotland- He is part of the Campbell clan. But he never takes offense to someone calling it a costume. He has only worn it a few times outside of faire.

[Queen Bonnie]

 Costume? What costume?
I am not cast and can understand the rules for cast being in theater so long- but as a playtron- there are no rules!
I wear my garb.