Ok, so I am lucky enough to be playing a character that I have always admired - Queen Elizabeth 1 - at a small start up faire in about 2 weeks. Every faire I visit, I am always drawn towards the Queen, to see how she interacts, to stand in her sun, etc etc.
Although I am comfortable in my skin when at faire, there are a few unknowns for me at this faire, which are perhaps adding to my nerves.
#1 - this is the first time I am playing Queen, and I have no real support. There is no cast, no court, and only my hubby at my side as a Guardsman. Of the 2 of us, I am the quicker to give a witty reply, etc, so I'm more approaching this as a solo act. There will be some merchants there who know me the person, and that I am queen, and a few playtrons at least, but I am terribly afraid that people will just see some woman in a fancy dress, and not recognize the character.
#2 - the individual who is running the faire, while they promote all the other acts, has not said anything about having a queen at the faire. Usually, it is a bit of a big thing to have royalty visit, and I'm feeling a little "out in left field" at the moment.
#3 - The days are long - 9:30 - 8pm, and other than a knighting ceremony, interaction with the jousters, there is not much structured for me. That is a lot of wandering the faire. What else can I do to fill my day?
#4 - I've never been at the top of the pecking order before - what do I need to know? How do I address people like bishops, cardinals, etc (assuming there is someone dressed as them!) and what are some of the pitfalls?
Help me out here - please tell me this is not more than I can handle!
