Md part sette, Shakespeare and stuff

[Michele/Columbina/Stupina]

Things are getting even more crazy as the days go on and I am
exhausted. Let’s see what I can remember for this weekend, cause it
was a doozie.

PRELOAD
On Friday, I normally stop on site and drop off costuming and any
other appropriate items on site to keep things simple on the actual
faire days. Today, I am bringing in a number of other items for
Sunday’s Pub Sing based on emails with Jack Rackham. I also test out
orthotics in my new slippers and they won’t fit. Grand, they have to
be switched out. Joy. I head to the White Hart and leave a few items
there, leave tickets for family at will call and head home. On the
way out, I stop by lost and found to see if any of the 3 things I lost
have turned up. One item, the watch I lost 2 weekend, has turned up.
Well, 2 more to go. The rest of the day is normal day, except there
is Indian food with Stephanie and W Rogue. Then, eventual sleep, and
at a decent time after reading through my sonnets for the weekend and
making sense of them.

WHAT WILL THE WEATHER DO?
The reports say little or nothing, so the stages aren’t covered, but
as I am warming up on site, it starts to rain on me. Bugger. I keep
getting changed assuming that by the time we open, it will be dry
again. I head to the costume house and it’s not quite open yet.
People are less sick this weekend, which is a good thing, but there is
still plague floating around. Maybe we need a new theme for next
year’s storyline? Stitch arrives and I head in, fill my bota and get
changed. Then, I grab my face and head out on site. At White Hart,
Mirth has already set up stuff and I am able to just jump in to test
the stage space for a prop on Sunday. Then, we run sound. We sing and
draw some people’s ears, but switch midway into speaking and they
wander away, except for one who asks me who is the Italian. During the
show last week, he heard me talking in Italian and was excited to hear
the language, as he is Hungarian and Italian. I had to sadly break
the news to him that I knew very little.

SURPRISES
I head to morning meeting and find that something has arrived. I take
it to its new home as I have time to drop it off, then back to
meeting. At the first meeting, there is much enjoyment as we review
the new things happening for Shakespeare weekend. Jack Rackham has
had to leave town unexpectedly, so the Hermit and others are stepping
in to make sure things go smoothly. Digger Gravesly is also visiting
us from the far coast! We Beep! And head out. I hit the still clean
privies then get ready to start. It’s cool today, perhaps a bit
chilly, but the sun is starting to come out, so it’s not as bad as it
could be. Wesley and I chat about the week and weekend ahead and
Shakespearean lovers and how wussy most of them are. Then BOOM, and I
am faced-up and ready for the day. There is quite a crowd coming in
and it takes a while for them all to arrive. After a few tours and
many hugs, I get the assistance of one of the patrons to get down from
the fountain, as it’s scary up there.

PROGRAMMING SUCCESS
I go to grab programs and bring out 300 to put on my head. My braids
are not laying smoothly so the balance is a bit harder. The wind is
also much stronger outside the gates and I am losing programs to
wind. It’s a bit tougher and I probably drop them 5-6 times.
However, when it’s working, they go quickly. I head back in to get
more programs and find the missing Mr. Hand Sock on the floor. I pick
him up and dust him off and tie him around my neck. That is item #2
found...no only one to go. Sadly, by the end of the weekend, it never
showed up and I am still down that glorious scarf. I head back out
with another 300 programs. While there, Digger comes out and starts
telling me that people are stealing from me, they keep taking things
from my head. He gives me a blow by blow of each person and how they
remove the programs. It’s nice to have him back, if only for the
day.

FRIENDLY FACES
The wind is really starting to pick up, but so is the crowd. I head
back in and see Prescott Pierce. We have our production of our Daily
Morning Hug for an appreciative crowd, then I get programs and head
back out. I hand out another 300 and as I head back in, Prescott and
I have our “Daily Morning Hug” for the first time of the day...again.
I go get more programs and head back out. Sadly, he isn’t there for
the last set of programs, so I just go get more. Regulars don’t
normally need programs as they know the shows already and what they
are going to see, so only new patrons and those who just want to play
take them. Many more pics of me are taken in different stages of
disbursement. I am at about 1100 programs when I start to feel a
drizzle, then actual drops. That’s my cue to leave. Stupina can’t be
out in the rain as her face is paper mache and she would decompose or
melt. This makes my time end around 12:00ish, which isn’t too bad as
I was supposed to be changing at 12:30 for the Sonnet readings as
Columbina.

SWITCHING
Normally the costume house is a bit cool, which feels great during the
hot weather. Yesterday, it was downright chilly in there. Today, I
walk in and it’s warm...yikes, that tells me how cold it is outside.
I start to change. Since it’s raining though, Trinket and I make the
executive decisions to change hair to the rain styles. Braids for us
both. Of course, ½ hour after we are out, the rain stops and it’s
sunny an almost warm the rest of the day. DOH. I end up taking
longer to get dressed and end up in time to get to the sonnet
readings. On the way, I make a stop or two to chat with random
patrons. Once there, they are just starting the second half, but I am
10 or so in, so I can’t go far.

BARDING IT
I am reading against SMJen as we alternate sonnets. I read 87 and 89.
Both of them are rather depressing and somewhat heartbreaking, but at
least I can understand them. As I finish, I see familiar faces in the
crowd. There are those that, if Columbina would have parents, these
would be them. Mom and Dad come to see the show. We touch base and
decide to head out together to get my lunch. In the process, I
introduce them to some of the regulars and they stop to see Robin Hood
and Maid Marian

THERE IS A VAST DIFFERENCE
I head near one table of regulars and one man steps in to hug me. This
is a man who does not hug me normally, AND, Columbina rarely hugs
anyone. He didn’t ask and I push him back. His explanation? He
realized that the person who plays Stupina is the same as the person
who plays Columbina. I remind him that while the actor might be the
same, the character is not. I do not hug people as Columbina. He
apologizes after another informs him of the time HE made that mistake
many years ago. Luckily, he can still walk. You just don’t piss off
an Italian.

LUNCH, BUT WAIT
We start to head down Kenwood. I am stopped by a bunch of voices that
cry, “that’s the lady, she had the puppet!” I turn and a family who
played with Baby Stupina last week is back and so excited to see that
I am around again. I tell them when I expect to be out with her again,
if they want to see her again. I see the long ATM line and play my
usual shtick of how this must be the best ride in the village as
everyone wants to ride it. We go farther and I play more with some
other random patrons. They are experiencing my day. I introduce them
to Tigger, who traveled with me many years ago, and some other friends
along the way. I move on and find out there is pie, which I must
return for later. MMMMmmmMM. Then, when we get to the food court, I
stand up and call to the crowd about their day offering my public
service announcement. Then, I get my pork chop on a stick and sit to
eat with them. Lines aren’t too bad, though it feels crowded. We
eat, my dad getting the teriyaki chicken and my mom not hungry yet.
Once finished, I head over to baby Stupina for a short while.

DOUBLECHECKING
On the way, I check about an order and clarify some items as well as
pay for them. Then, I head to my little girl and play with her in the
streets for maybe 20 minutes. Then, away she goes and to the White
Hart I go. There, we mic up, sans feathers, since we didn’t dress for
them...and it’s gorgeous and sunny now. Damn. As we prep the set
list. We review some items and change a few things. We are doing
show 5 as it’s a lot of new material and I wanted my parents to see
the new stuff. They are amused and happy. We pull Limericks from the
show and put in Fathom the Bowl, then have extra time and put in Book
of Love. The audience seems to like it, even though we do make a few
mistakes at the beginning of the show. Afterwards, my father, who is
also an actor/writer/director type, has very high praise. I also see
a very familiar face of my 1st boyfriend ever...like from my teen
years. He and his wife/family are here and are going to make the
second show.

BABY WALKIES
We wander out of the mask booth and I see Neidfyre setting up. I ask
if she is to play soon, and she sets up a bit early and plays a few
songs for Baby Stupina to dance to. We pull in quite a crowd who
watch her for the two songs. Then, I must travel on a bit. I don’t get
too far, as I never really do. Today, the emergency staff is walking
in the area and are also fascinated by her. I get a few people
telling me how ugly she is, so she cries. I get most of them to
apologize. Then, it’s time to head back as we have one more show.

NAUGHTY TIME
Back at the pub, we perform our dirty show, as we like to call it.
Again, for the second show, since it’s not in the main schedule, the
audience is a bit smaller, but not too bad. We get our lyrics right
this time but during Parting Glass, some guy tries to learn how to
play his new horn during the entire song. It’s rather annoying and
what we have recorded will not really be usable because of it. Sigh.
The rest of the show is fine and we have many compliments when we meet
people afterwards. My parents give their suggestions and head home for
the day. They have a drive ahead of them, so I don’t mind. My ex also
has hugs and praise and I get to meet his daughter’s new BF. The dad
and I joke a bit about some memories that make him roll his eyes in
panic. The joys of parenthood. My mom is mostly amazed at how bad
the drunks are. I tell her this is a bad day, but there are others
that are worse. I explain how to protect yourself and how we work as a
team to make sure everyone is ok...meaning that the drunks don’t do
something stupid, or if they do, we stop them pretty quickly. Family
protects, ya know?

AND WE MEET AGAIN
I am about to head to get baby Stupina, when I remember the pie and
rush off to the barrel booth. There, I am treated to an extraordinary
treat of sour cherry/pear/ginger pie. OMFG! It was very good. Then,
fortified, I head out to take out Baby Stupina for a bit and run into
the family looking for us. The daughter gets a hug from Baby Stupina
and we chat a short bit before they move on. Stupina is on a hugging
kick today. There are number of kids who want hugs. There are also
some adults who are willing to hug the little lady. She sits and
poses and more. Finally, it’s time to see what will be happening at
the impromptu pub sing. We find out what they need and when. We are
told to be dirty, or sing along. We plan for sing along, but switch to
dirty.

AND SO WE SING
Of course, as the show is going on, we start on stage and the ED
arrives just in time to hear the dirtiest song we know. Great. LOL.
The show overall goes well though I am amuse that some things are
going to be repeated in a day. I know I had given the set list to one
person, but the other person hadn’t seen it. Ah well. The audience
seems to have fun, so it’s all good. We end with I Come for to Sing.
And the cannon booms midway through the song. Soon we close the show,
and I rush to grab my stuff and head to the costume house. I have
parents waiting for me at home. Lady Stanhope is staying with me this
eve and shares a car ride home. We order pizza, run out to get things
for the next night’s pub sing, and come home for some nice
conversation and sleep after I explain the phenomenon of Facebook and
we show them the Muppets version of Danny Boy sung by Swedish Chef,
Animal, and Beaker. Yes, youtube it. You need to. Then, sleep comes
quickly after I neti-pot for my lungs from the dust.

GOOD LUCK CHARM
Lady Stanhope and I say goodbye to my parents and head out in the
morning by a bit before 7 am. On the way, we stop for breakfast and
get to site in record time. Once there, a space is open in the first
row, and I find two dimes on the way in as well as the music is a good
choice on the drive. I call her my good luck charm and tell her she is
welcome to drive in with me any morning. We head in and she decides
not to leave for coffee. She stoops at the costume house and I head to
Gatehouse. I stretch and prep for the morning. Today is sunny and a
bit chill, but not too bad. I finish and head to the costume house.
They are not quite ready, but shortly, we are let in. I change into
Stupina and put on my cream gloves and blue fuzzy scarf. Site is
still peaceful as I head to the White hart with props again.

CAN YOU HOLD THESE?
I go to White Hart again to test the prop since this will be the last
time. I am getting advice and have to ask for the suggestions to stop
as I know what I need to do to make it happen, I am just working out
the “acting” of the moment to make sure that I can focus the skill set
and not hit mics or people. Trinket plays a mostly willing stand-in
for me. Dash stops by and plays with my toy as well. He can make it
do things I can’t, but then, he has worked with them a bit more than I
in his shows. We game plan on what has to happen to make sure we are
safe. I am still not sure if Jack has made it back. We finish sound
and I head to morning meeting after a stop at the pyrate camp to see
if they can hold some other props for the evening. There I touch base
with the Hermit, but find out we don’t need to worry about it as Jack
has returned. I mention some logistics to him and all seems fine for
the evening. I pass out a few more set lists to other groups and
everyone seems on plan.

WASN”T THAT INTERESTING
We discuss drunks from the day before and go over new logistics for
the day. There is much amusement and we are in good spirits when we
BEEP and head out. I hit the privies and need to stretch some more.
When it’s time, we face up and see he horses enter. His Maj is in a
more serious mood and he doesn’t play with me as he passes, but if
it’s one day out of 19, I am ok with that. BOOM and the crowd comes
in. Today’s audience includes my brother and 2 nephews. They come up
and hug me and I let them know when the shows are and they are off to
find entertainment. I still need to find out what they did see. Once
the first flow stops, I head out again.

BALANCING ACT
Outside, I am doing much better with the programs. I am also going
through them much more quickly and have to go back in for more very
soon after my first trip out. I pose for tons of pics with people who
sit down with me. One gent who hasn’t been around much sits and joins
me for a brief chat and people remove more programs from my head. He
heads back in as I do to get more programs. We are up to 900 now. I
am now able to lay down without dropping the programs and turn and
change position. I don’t scare as many people, but I am talking
more. The audience keeps pouring in and even though others come out
to hand out programs, I am still going through mine quickly. I tell
people I am the Head Program Dispenser. This gets a good laugh.
Another 300 and I have gone through 1,500. Some kids are just too
scared of me, but most are confused or just happy to see me. Some
people I don’t recognize call me by name. This makes me smile. It’s
finally time to go. I do after a stop to the empty fairy godmother
chair. I sit and pose and answer questions for a while. It’s fun and
silly. Finally, it’s time to go in to get changed.

SONNETEARS
I head to the costume house and put on the turquoise and have my
regular hairstyle again. I am in the groove and am changed pretty
quickly. I head out and have time, so I stop and chat with people
along the way. Once at the pub, we are just about to start. I see
some friendly and familiar faces. When it is my time, I have a few
people who are standing in the front to be able to see and hear me.
And I actually know they are there for me. It’s very sweet. I finish
both of mine and step down. I see then and as I step over. One of
them is crying. He thanks me and tells me that my reading affected
him because I understood what they were saying, and it was clear that
there was something behind them. It makes my eyes well up also. When
learning the sonnets (no, I screwed them up and switched a few words
around by accident) I used the punctuation and patterns to figure out
what was being said, and said it, from a place of truth. I am glad it
was effective. That bard was pretty expressive.

LUNCHING WITH THE OTHER FAMILY
I head toward the Kenwood area and stop to chat with the ATM line
again. Some of the group is not as friendly, but the back half of the
line are more amused and really play with me. Then, off to the food
court where I sit with strangers and eat a lunch of a gyro. When done,
I stand up on the bench for another announcement and get something
caught in my throat as I start. I finish the bit, but I SO need water
when done. I start to wander and see the nephew and brother in the
Friend ice cream line. The other nephew is getting another desert but
now that he has a cell phone, he can wander. They grow up so fast. I
sit with the younger one and another friend while he finds #2. I see
the Alchemist and introduce him to these young men who would be
nephews, if I were to have them. He introduces me to a son, if he had
one. Forsooth, it’s a charming game of words. Bertram Ripley offers
philosopher stones to my nephews who once done their deserts, are very
interested in asking a bunch of questions. I head off to get ready
for the show they are to see.

PRESCOTT MEETS COLUMBINA
I am so trained to get ready to hug Prescott when I see him, that when
I see him as Columbina, I almost go into our routine. Um, not with
Columbina. So he kisses my hand and I tell him he is doing it wrong.
Thus begins the big production of learning to kiss a woman's hand. He
is very bad at keeping eye contact and I win many times over. Once I
finish instructing him, I take a lovely lady out of the crowd and have
him kiss her hand. Then, I ask the audience to judge if he was
successful. He gets a round of applause and I have taught an young
dog a new trick. I am pleased he did not blush as I did this to him,
but he did have a goofy smile on his face. It made me happy! Now, to
the tavern.

NEWBIES AND OLD SONGS
We are going to do show 3 as my brother has been instrumental in part
of the material in it, and I want him to see his work being
performed. He sits in the sun bowl side and midway through needs to
move. This is a large audience, but many of them are new and have
never seen us before. So the sing alongs are a bit rough on their end,
though the show itself is relatively smooth. We do, however, reorder
the Captain’s Daughter verses as we are singing them. I switched a
verse by accident, but Trinket follows along like a trouper and we
pick up the missed verses as we can...of course, I do it a second
time, but we do it perfectly. I was mostly impressed by the fact that
we jumped around and in the same way.

GOODBYES
After the show, the family stops by and says their goodbyes, as they
need to leave for the day. Hugs and more conversations are had as we
sign CDs and chat with patrons. Soon enough, we head our several ways
and I pick up baby Stupina for walkies. She greets people and dances a
bit. I don’t get too far, to the blacksmith perhaps, but back soon
enough for the last show. I am greeted by a plate from a friend filled
with a steak on a stake with apples, pears, and cheese and a penny for
a pittance to guess who it is who is hitting me I eat a piece of plum
and cover the food as we have to hit the stage. Mic up and off we go.
We run show 1, the original piece. It’s a nice starter show and the
audience really enjoys it.

AACK
After the show, Trinket and I are ready to run, when we are greeted by
one of our biggest crowds ever. Everyone wants to say hi, take pics,
sign CD’s, and tell us how much s/he likes the show. It’s really sweet
and feels like a whirlwind, as we desperately need to run. We finish,
rush to the closet, and grab our stuff and head to the costume house
via the back road. Hills are not my friend with full arms and
rushing. Joy. We get to the costume house and begin to rush our
change. Others are wondering why we are frantic and we explain we
still have props to set before the show, so we need to get back ASAP.
Captain Jean is a doll and helps me take off my shoes, which normally
isn’t a big deal, but I have to do it in the corset and I have to
remove the orthotics and reset them in the fuzzy slippers. I take out
my hair and brush it then throw it up in a shower cap, remove the
chemise and skirt and reorganize the bodice, the put on the chemise
and robe and slippers. We grab our water and props and head out.
Record time!

OW, OW, OW
So slippers are thin and there are lots of rocks backstage. This
makes for some painful walking, even with the orthotics in my
slippers. We are both complaining of the discomfort. One more touch up
at the mirror, then on to the street. We head to pyrate camp. I pull
out the props and go over how some of them work with Jack Rackham. I
go to set them and hand the other props to SM Adam to preset on
stage. Trinket sets more items. Then, we realize no one picked up
whipped cream, so we have to rethink a dare...Jack’s on the case and
ready.

WHY DIDN”T I???
We are getting lots of looks as the pyrate encampment is filled with
people in pjs of all sorts and styles. There are pics taken, shaken
heads and a few cries of “Why didn’t anyone tell us in advance...we
would have all worn pjs.” Um, exactly. It’s more fun if it’s a
surprise. We are going to be starting with table dancing and find out
that the main t table is too wobbly, so we need to adjust. I head over
to the regulars and get their ok to use their table. I also drop off
something under their table with the lady’s permission. Trinket finds
a second table and Rose uses my regular one. We are set and the show
starts with great energy. The show is silly and fun.

TRUTH OR DARE
Lala and O play the first party game of “Truth or Dare.” Lala chooses
Dare and is told to plant one on “O”. She heads up for a kiss, O
puckers, and she wallops him with a huge punch. O then plays his saw
and gives us a quick cartoon theme. There is much laughter. Once we
get to the Hooligan’s, I’m a Rover, Trinket and I grab our stash from
the table and switch out of our fuzzy slippers. I walk VERY CAREFULLY
to the side of the stage as heels and rocks are not a good mix. Next
Fletcher is blindfolded and asked to play touchy Feely, where he has
to ID whom the next act is. Myself, SMAdam, Kat, John Rugby, and
Trinket are in the line up. After being groped a bit, he pronounces
the act is the Strums. Trinket and I get offended and “fix” it by
removing our robes, then shower caps, then chemise, leaving only our
corsets, pantaloons, and the heels we had just added before. A 10-
year old in the second row found god at that moment, or so it seemed
by his cheering. We had the audience join us in 3 jolly coachmen. I
have to say, we were both overheating in our layers and I was grateful
to remove them so my body temp could drop some.

MR. SHINY AND THE EMASCULATOR
The next party game is “7 minutes in heaven” where Yazmeen gets to go
upstairs in the White Hart with Jack and Fletcher. The Strums come up
next. Their round of Truth or Dare consisted of a dare was a bit
unappetizing, so they asked for truth. They answered their question
with Lighthouse. Yazmeen comes back in bad spirits and Fletcher and
Jack are wearing beaver traps. I ask Yazmeen where Mr. Shiny came
from and how Jack found the Emasculator. It seems Yazmeen was booby-
trapped. They go to the back to cry in pain while Swami Yomami and
Skumboy come up with Gypsophilia to sing Istanbul to Constantinople.

SNIPPAGE AND TIMING – MAY I?
The show is running far longer than expected, as the shtick in between
the songs is longer than normal and much fun. Jack and I touch base
with SMAdam and see where we need to trim. After the song, I come up
to ask Jack if we could play my favorite party game. Everyone starts
to panic and clear the stage. Jack and I are the only ones left when
I ask to play “Mistress May I?” He says sure and asks how to play. I
tell him that he needs to say Mistress May I and ask a question. He
begins “Mistress, may I...” but before he gets any farther, I shout at
him “Shut up you stupid little pig! Down on your knees!” He drops and
the bullwhip I have been hiding behind my back comes out. I do an
around the world and get a cheer. I do a side crack or 2 and ask him
if he’s had enough. The audience tells me no, even if Jack hadn’t said
so himself. I crack it another 4-5 times with circus and around the
world cracks. I finally tell him he can make it up to me if he will
bring up 3 sexy women to sing a naughty song and up come the
O’Dannys! (Note: I was nowhere near his body as those on house right
could likely attest. That was the prop I was testing to make sure I
could clear mics and people before we went with it. Safety first!)

FINALES
After the ladies make the audience laugh with glee, Jack brings
Fletcher up for one more round of Truth or Dare. He has to end every
sentence with “In Bed”. Not music, but speaking. Then Jack asks him
to sound the evening bells, which becomes “sound the evening
bells...in bed.” There is much laughter as in bed travels the line as
well. Then, Gypsophilia leads us in a haunting tune. At the end,
Fletcher sounds the evening gun in bed, talks about saving the king in
bed and queen in bed (who we don’t have) and how great the king
is...in bed...it’s rather amusing and the crowd even finishes his in
bed as the show ends for the night.

PREPARATIONS FOR DEPARTURE
During the last song, Trinket and I are putting our layers back on.
It’s starting to get cool again and when the lights go out, it will be
very chill, plus, I am NOT walking in the crowd dressed as I had
been. As the lights go out, I gather the last of t he items (whips,
traps) and head to the regulars table to switch back to slippers, then
to the back of the house to the closet for other items left behind.
Mirth kindly takes the traps, as I can’t carry them myself with
everything else. I was dropping things on the way back to the costume
house anyway but managed to gather it all. Back at the costume house
there is laughter and conversation about the end of the day. I
realize that one of my earrings is missing (It was found by Bauble and
CDCB the next day) and notice that my bag is extraordinarily
heavy...something about carrying a robe, chemise, two traps, two
whips, blindfold and other odds and ends can do that. The scary part
is this stuff is all from shows...the life of a variety artist. Whee.

OTHER MISSING THINGS
SMAdam has brought my mug back to me as I left it on the stage in my
haste to gather everything else. I get the traps from Mirth. Sadly
Scapino is a bit miffed that I hadn’t warned him about the traps, as
they normally end up on his bottom. We assuage his miffed-ness and
all agree to meet at Double T for comfort food. FYI. The blintzes are
ok, but nothing to write home about. I am glad I did it though. We are
all tired but there are many fun and silly stories. Gumby works on
removing the slight headache I have, much to my gratefulness and I
convert Sam to the joy of Jalapeno poppers with jelly. Really, no
really, try it.

The Interpreters shows are at 3:00 and 4:30 at the White Hart Tavern
for the rest of the run, so you can always find us there. Only two
more weekends to go, so if you haven’t made it yet, it’s time.

Michele/Columbina/Stupina
AFR Goddess of Love
Teatro, When all you need is a little cheese
The Interpreters, And we're back!
MDRF, White Hart Tavern, 3:00 and 4:30 pm daily till the end of
festival