Feast of Fantasy

[William_MacKean]

I have heard from several of this year's (habitual) attendees that FoF is no longer worth it.  Anyone else notice this?  I have only been once, so I do not know the show.

These are folks who have gone every year.  They say the changes that have been implemented have taken the excitement out of the show.  Examples given were the former Privy Runs, the verbage, the jokes, bawdy behavior, and the entertainment.

I get that not everyone likes the same raunchiness.  But some people go there specifically for that.

Solutions:
1.  Go back to the bawdy shows and advertise them as such, so the patrons won't be surprised.  In-show reminders would be helpful.
2.  Have rated show options.  Maybe less bawdy in the early shows and a more bawdy final show or two.

There has to be a way to give everyone what they are coming for.  Other ideas?  Reasons?

[MissBubu]

Word from higher up is that *none* of the shows are allowed to advertise themselves as being rated R, PG-13, or "unsuitable for children". I guess Mid America Festivals doesn't want the folks with children to feel their little dearies are being excluded.

[Muffin]

I went to the Feast last year and hated it.. well okay hate is a strong word, but I have no desire to ever go again... and the waitress we had can still suck it... 

[Captain Jack Wolfe]

Now I'm happy I decided against going to it this year.

[Charlotte Rowan]

I've never gone and don't really care to... too expensive.

[Ferret]

I wish they'd go over the menu and look at what they used to have 25 years ago, and look at what they offer now.

Last couple years I've gone there have been about 35 people there, as opposed to the old days when it sold out and I had to buy tickets in June. They can't blame it all on the economy.

Last year my favorite was the cold minestrone soup. I'd like to know who dreamed that crap up.

Years gone by I used to take a group of ten to the first feast and ten to the last. Nobody wants to go anymore.

If it wasn't for the mug, I'd skip it.
Ferret

[Rani Zemirah]

Ferret, I'd still go to the Feast with you if I was able to get up there for it, just to have such an attentive escort as yourself!  I probably wouldn't eat the soup, though...     LOL

[Gauwyn of Bracknell]

We did it last year and had a good time, although we did the one in Arizona this year (same "MC"s) and it and the food was quite good.

[Captain Jack Wolfe]

Ferret, cold minestrone isn't unheard of, but it does leave me, well... cold.  A gazpacho would have been a much better choice on their part, and easy to tailor.

I've found myself less and less impressed with the menu over the past few years.  None of it would be difficult to make at home.

[Ferret]

Ferret, cold minestrone isn't unheard of, but it does leave me, well... cold.  A gazpacho would have been a much better choice on their part, and easy to tailor.

I've found myself less and less impressed with the menu over the past few years.  None of it would be difficult to make at home.

Depending on the situation, I could see it served cold.

Years ago one very hot opening weekend at the FOF they had cold cherry soup, it was excellent. The last weekend when the weather was cold, they changed it to hot cherry soup. Again very tasty.

The cold minestrone soup I got last year was on the last weekend on a cold day. It just seemed wrong.
Ferret

[winterland]

Went 2 years ago and had a great time. Met a couple RFers. We thought it was worth it. Food was good, all the beer I wanted, good entertainment. The other people there all seemed to have a great time also.

Maybe it changed recently.
   

[groomporter]

Never did FoF but did the Phantom's Feast as part of the Halloween show a several years ago, the menu was definitely an "autumn" theme, but was a little too "haute cuisine" for my tastes. Maybe they need to get back to basics?

[Celtic Lush]

Will let you know after we go next Sunday.
FYI, If your unhappy with the PG entertainment change let management know. I sent a note about them toning down the smoker and it was addressed and rectified in a very timely manor. Just remember to do so respectfully.

CL

[Will Gamwell]

The overall feel of the show doesn't seem to have changed to me.  Of coarse I don't sit through the whole show.  What has changed is the language and jokes.  In talking to the Feast Masters just before the run, they were working on re-writing the show.  I still hear some of the "R" jokes here and there, but they are less.  Of coarse when Arthur Holmes makes a visit now and again to recite a poem . . . well you've all heard them I'm sure.

I know that we were asked to be more sexy in the show.  Our shows in the past used to be more energetic, bouncy, fun & filled with humor.  There is still some of that this year, but went more towards the "sexy" side of things.

As CL put it, if you are a regular to the Feast and are displeased with the changes, do write a respectful letter of complaint.  Not saying that things will change, but not saying they wouldn't either.

If anyone has went or is going to go I would love any feedback on our group's performance.  Critisism is welcome.  It's how we get better every year.

Cheers!
Nikolai

[Ferret]

As CL put it, if you are a regular to the Feast and are displeased with the changes, do write a respectful letter of complaint.  Not saying that things will change, but not saying they wouldn't either.

Cheers!
Nikolai

It may take some doing to get to a person at Mid America that cares.

One year my group of ten got stuck on a corner, with our own pole. And right before the feast started, they put a table in front of us and blocked our view and access to the performers and Royal Court as they came through. They'd oversold, so we got screwed.

Starting out there, complaining to various people and the feast manager did no good. So Monday morning I called and asked who to talk to. The secretary asked me if I wanted to just register a complaint or talk to someone. I pointed out I just got screwed out of $750 and wanted a refund.

Every few days I'd call, and got kicked from one person to the next, who were never in, left messages, and never got called back.

It took six weeks. Finally I got to a nice lady ( and I'm sorry I don't remember her name ) and I explained the whole situation from the feast to getting jerked around time and time again from staff who never returned calls.

She was point blank, apologetic as to what happened, and I shouldn't have been shifted from one person to the next, that never contacted me back. And what could she do to make me happy.

Finally a real person, who cared.

I told her the first person I spoke to at the feast could have at least apologized, would have gone a long way to avoiding this whole mess.

I told her I was taking a group to the Phantoms Feast, how about a couple free tickets to that ? She comped me four.

She is the sole reason I keep going to the feast. She worked hard to set things right and I appreciated it.

It might take some doing to get to the right person, but some of them there do care.