By Rob Blais
18
July 2002
The peaceful serenity of the dark pine forest is broken by the clash of swords, the rattle of armor, and orders barked by the nefarious sheriff to his henchmen. There is trouble in Sherwood Forest and its name is Robin Hood! Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth, is missing and the infamous bandit and his band of merry men are the prime suspects. No effort can be spared to rescue the Queen and bring the treasonous scoundrels to justice. Many will face the sword and the lance, but who will triumph?
Thus begins the fifth season of the Maine Renaissance Faire, featuring an updated version of the famous tale of Robin Hood--updated to the sixteenth century, that is.
Since the summer of 1998, while traveling to points east, I passed the big purple and gold sign along Route 202 in Lebanon, Maine that announces the annual Maine Renaissance Faire. Each time I passed I wondered, "What exactly is a Renaissance faire?" I had visions of stuffy Shakespeare productions with third-rate actors leaping about in tights. I.ve heard many uninitiated people say the same thing I was thinking, "It's not my kind of thing." Then last year my sister and brother-in-law were going and invited me to go along with them. They had been there before and told me a bit about the faire. Their description sounded far more interesting than the image in my head, but what really got me to go was the promise of a simple delicacy I'd never tried before: Scotch Eggs. Food is a great motivator, but once there I found the whole production so entertaining and enjoyable that I ended up going to two more Renaissance faires that season and I will return to Maine this summer.
Ah, but you're still wondering what exactly a Renaissance Faire is, aren't you? As Kate Hopkins, director and Queen, puts it, "Think of a country fair and take it back [in time] to the sixteenth century." At the faire site in Lebanon, Maine, they've recreated a small Elizabethan English village where you will find vendors selling a variety of foods, merchants peddling their wares; artisans practicing their crafts; wandering minstrels playing renaissance-style music; and, of course, the ongoing show all around and through the crowd.
Michelle Meyer, who portrays Scarlett Will in this year's production, proclaims, "It's a three dimensional, interactive adventure show." Writer/director Rob Earhart adds, "It's not like a theater where all the action is on stage and you sit and watch it from a distance." Indeed, while there are stages where much of the action takes place, the actors are all over the village mixing with the spectators and sometimes drawing them into the action. Much of the show is scripted but there is ample room for improvisation, especially when it comes to interacting with the audience
Far from third rate, the cast is made up of some of the finest actors and actresses in the field--some traveling hundreds of miles to appear at the Maine Faire, as well as the best local talent available and many up and coming young performers. Experience levels range from professional actors with theater degrees and decades of experience to people who never acted before in their lives. Many start as volunteers and work their way into paid positions. Earhart says they don't require experience, but "They [Potential cast members] have to have a serious interest." While the directors don't have any trouble finding enough qualified applicants to carry out the show, there's always room for more, especially for volunteers. In addition to performing, there are always openings for volunteers to work behind the scenes to keep the show going and maintain the site, as well.
Lebanon, ME, resident and Maine Faire actor Jedd Breneman, says he was working in Pennsylvania with Rob Earhart when Earhart turned to him and said, "I want to wrap you up in metal and beat you; take you to Maine, teach you to fight, and pay you." Breneman, who met his fiancé stage manager Cara Rivard, at the Faire, said it sounded like fun--and it was. He's been working at the faire every year since then and takes on the role of Little John in this year's production. Breneman says he enjoys acting and this was a great opportunity to get started. Since moving to the area to be closer to the Faire, he's also been involved with The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, a medieval/renaissance combat re-enactment group, and hopes to make a career out of acting.
Cast and patrons alike say the reason they participate in Renaissance faires is because they love it; it's so much fun and there's simply nothing else like it. As one long-time faire patron, put it, "It's a great escape from life." Maine Faire producer Valerie Davis says the first time she went to a Renaissance faire she, "got drawn into it and became a part of it." She's been hooked ever since. People travel from all over the country to attend the Faire and it's no wonder, what with the incredible variety of events they have. There is something in it for everyone, including comedy, romance, mystery, intrigue, and plenty of sword fights. This year they've also added jousting to the mix, which Davis says, "Is something we've been planning for five years and it all came together beautifully this year." Davis also promises there will be a surprise ending to the jousting tournament. Hmm, I wonder what that could be?
While they strive for historical accuracy, the emphasis is on entertainment, so it's not just for history buffs. The idea is to give people a view of what going to the faire was like in the 1500s but also to make it fun. As Earhart puts it, "It's like the Three Stooges doing Colonial Williamsburg." "Or Strawberry Banke," adds Rivard. The show begins with an opening ceremony at the gate and runs throughout the day culminating in a final battle to determine whether Sheriff Bracken or Robin Hood will be victorious, after which there's a closing ceremony where the whole cast gets together to sing one last song.
One of the highlights is the human chess match, a staple of Renaissance faires, in which real people portray chess pieces and swords and fisticuffs fly whenever someone tries to take a piece. There is belly dancing, a game show called, "Thou Art the Weakest Link," mud beggars, gypsies, a brawl at the tavern, and so much more. In addition to the Faire cast, independent acts also put on farces, dramas, and demonstrations. Musicians and dancers perform at various intervals. And, you just never know when the Sheriff's men will meet up with Robin Hood and a battle will erupt.
Did I mention the jousting? That's right, armor clad knights on horseback will do battle on the newly constructed jousting field. According to Davis, this is the only jousting match in all of northern New England, so it's a rare treat, indeed.
For the youngsters, there's Bumblyphinn the storyteller, the a knighting ceremony, face painting, the comedy and magic of Tom Foolery, the Pirate Ship, and many other great activities.
As for Shakespeare, while you might see the old bard wandering amongst the crowd reciting lines from his latest work or even spouting a joke or two, you won't find people snoozing through a lengthy production of King Lear. Most of the action takes the form of short pieces that are linked together to carry the plot forward. There is much to see, much to do, and much ado as you wander down the narrow woods roads in the shadows of the tall pines of Maine's own Sherwood Forest. Many of the independent acts change from week to week and with all the improvisation in the show, no two days are ever exactly the same.
Enjoy shopping? They've got you covered. The many merchants are too numerous to list but their huts and tents line the lanes of the faire. Their wares include jewelry, candles, games, roses, clothing, leather goods, herbs, specialty soaps, healing stones, collectables, swords, armor, decorative items, statues, and so much more.
Wondering what in the world a Scotch Egg is? Simply put, a Scotch Egg is a hard-boiled egg wrapped in sausage and fried to perfection. There is but one word for them: Delicious. There are all kinds of other foods at the faire and they're all good, so give them all a try!
Admission is $12 for adults, $5 for children ages 6 to 12. A season pass is available for $75. Period costumes are not required but are encouraged and are rewarded with a discount on admission. Costume weapons are allowed but will be peace-tied at the gate. The Faire runs every Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine, from July 20 through August 18. Gates open at 10 a.m. and closing time is 5 p.m.
Directions from the seacoast New Hampshire area:
Take the Spaulding Turnpike north to exit 16. Take Route 202 east to Lebanon, Maine. Make a right onto Long Swamp Road, then a left onto Lord Road and go about 1/4 of a mile. A narrow, wooded lane at the Maine Renaissance Faire sign on the left leads to ample free parking.
For more information, contact:
The Maine Renaissance Faire
c/o Cloak and Dagger
12 Lewiston Rd.
New Gloucester, Maine 04260
Phone: (207)
926-5693
www.mainefaire.com
info@mainefaire.com