In case you didn't get the e-mail:

THANKS:
Many hearty thanks to everyone who performed at Valhalla last weekend. We put on a really successful, lively show. Management was quite happy with us. Give yourselves some applause and pat yourselves on the back.

When we first arrived at the pavilion after progress and everyone was there surrounding the Queen and the falconers were there showing the birds, the picture was just stunning. It made me very happy. However, there's always room for improvement, so please take note of the following:

PROGRESS:
Management is asking for more noise, let's give it to them.

Progress will continue until EVERYONE is inside the gate and past the Axe and Oar (St. Simons). The Queen and a few courtiers will step off to the right side with the Aldermen while the rest of the parade goes on to leave room for the public to watch the proceedings. Stay in line while the presentation happens.

When the presentation is finished, the Queen and her attendants will walk up to resume their place in the procession.

BLOCKING:
Thanks to those of you who took my notes on blocking to heart, and thanks to those who tolerated me pushing you around to get you where I needed you. I'm hoping to have to do less of that this weekend, if any. Please make sure that you are open at all times to the entire angle of our stage area and resist the temptation to create "The Creeping Crescent" which gobbles up the Queen. Standing behind one another rather than in a chorus line will help.

PROJECTION:
Blocking was last weeks bugaboo. This week it's all about projection. We had quite a few very interesting, engaging scenes happening, but when I went out to watch and listen, the words were entirely lost. We need to really push from the belly and belt it out so that our audience can hear. Face outward rather than the person you're addressing, open your mouth and push the sound all the way across the road and even as far as the drink stall down the street. You need to be louder than you think in order to be heard.

DYNAMICS:
We could also stand to be "bigger". Use broad gestures, large facial expressions, react with your whole body. Draw your conversations out to the front and move around a bit so the scene doesn't appear so static. People will be more likely to watch if there's action happening.

THE QUEEN:
She was better attended on Sunday. Thanks to everyone lending a hand and stepping up. Remember that it's your job to make sure that she doesn't have to do ANYTHING for herself. Anticipate her needs - she shouldn't need to ask.

Remember the Royal Bubble and that all attention should be on her. Show her courtesy and respect with all possible ceremony. Deep reverances and kneeling help indicate that she's special. Don't get too casual.

She always looks better with more people around her. Before wandering off to shop or engage in other pursuits, be stop and check and make sure she doesn't look bland and lonely or less than regal for lack of support.

We also need people to keep our environmental area going and interesting if the Queen goes to visit other Guilds or goes shopping. It's a great chance for the mice to play while the cat's away.

LANGUAGE:
"Nay not" will not be used. Ever. It's not a valid expression in our language unless it's part of a more complete sentence: "Nay, not if I have anything to say about it." "Nay, not I, My Lady." I know it's a hard habit for some people to break, but try to ban it from your vocabulary forever.

The Faire is not a Shire. It is a seasonal celebration that takes place outside a village, town or city. If you say "Shire" you mean the entire county, which to an Elizabethan is more like one of our States.

STAY IN PERIOD AND STAY IN CHARACTER:
Do it. Valhalla traditionally has a very loose culture theatrically and historically, which is part of its charm, but this does not give us leave to compromise our own high standards of both. Do not allow the anachronisms to lead you astray, nor allow your buddies addressing you out of character to draw you into dropping your own. We are there to portray (as closely as possible under the circumstances) the life of the court of Elizabethan England. Do not lose sight of this objective.

END OF DAY:
Just because the Queen is gone doesn't mean it's the end of our show. It's time to relax, but make sure it's your CHARACTER that's relaxing and not YOU. I still expect our environmental area to be alive with courtly activity until the closing parade has passed and the last customers have been booted out by the security team.

That's all for now. In order to avoid "notes fatigue" I'll save any further discussion for the weekend.

Rydell