TribLIVE: Fans of “Game of Thrones,” “The Quest” or “Lord of the Rings” may never get to journey to the flat-screen worlds of Westeros, Everealm and Middle Earth.
But beginning Aug. 23, they can immerse themselves in some of the gentler, less perilous aspects of those cape-and-crown kingdoms with a day trip to the Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival.
4 comments:
It is actually really interesting to read about how much theatrical production is put into a renaissance fair. At a similar event in California, I learned that every event goes through a rehearsal, tech, and dress rehearsal process. Even the seemingly "improv-ed" scenes that seem to bust out out of nowhere on the street are cleverly planned. My personal favorite show is the Washing Well Wenches, which I was pleased to see in the article.
There's something so romantic about the easygoing and simple feel of the medieval times. We didn't have electronics to steal our attention, so I like to wonder how differences as simple as that must have changed everyone's character and the way everyone treated each other. I myself am a Game Of Thrones fan and find the news that, for example, more than 200 Renaissance theme fairs operate per year very exciting. It's exciting to watch characters go through life or death conflicts on a television show, but to actually step into that world would be an incredible fantasy come true! I know I would get just the right clothes to fit into my environment, and even take a sword lesson or two to show up with some knowledge and confidence. It would no longer be something to watch from a coach, but something to actually live through and experience!
I thought Alice Carter presented a very interesting perspective on the origin of this newfound popularity of medieval times. While relating the popularity in current social media, most specifically TV, to the popularity of renaissance fairs, Carter questions which causes which. This also links to an interest in history. The whole event of the renaissance fair is more of an experience than a show. As it's interactive, people get the opportunity to suspend disbelief for a period of time and explore a whole new life, in a whole new time. In this way, these Renaissance fairs give the public a way to explore the life of actors; role-play.
I'm surprised that more people aren't interested in the how-tos and the things that go on behind the scenes. I would definitely question The Deulists about their sword play. I have in the past asked the artisans about their crafts and have learned quite a bit. I guess most people don't think that they are allowed to do that. I mean, they are just people doing a job. There is no reason you can't ask them about what they are doing for a living.
I enjoy the fact that more people are getting interested in the Renaissance period, even if it is just because of the popular TV shows that are fantasy based. The Renaissance period was a real time in history; I hope these people realize that and aren't just going to see the fantasy land that is depicted in film.
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