Helping out a friend

[Shanntarra]

I've been asked to have on hand a "hail mary" if nessasary for an upcoming play a friend is in. The play requires that 2 guys be mistaken for each other when guy B is wearing guy A's kilt. The problem is that we may not have the costumes in time. I may have to make 1-2 pleated, plaid kilts in about 2 days. They do not have to be historically accurate, clan accurate, or such like that just not look like someone put a pleated skirt on a guy. I've made a few of the X kilts and know how to do the pleats. Do you think that would be too difficult to make ? The actor's waist is 30, and hips are like 34.

The second thing, is they may need to get stunt bagpipes. Do you know how they could get a set that doesn't play, and are not someone's heirloom? OR... how would you go about making something that looks like bagpipes from 10 feet away, but is not bagpipes, and won't cost an arm and a leg.

You have helped me in the past, I hope you can help me today.

[Farlander]

I do not know what your budget is, but a Sports Kilt Original is just under $50. Assuming that your time is worth more than $50 a day, this might be worth considering?

[tinksdad]

I do not know what your budget is, but a Sports Kilt Original is just under $50. Assuming that your time is worth more than $50 a day, this might be worth considering?

Another option might be Stillwater's Thrifty kilt. Just under $30 each. I just ordered 2 from Jerry to use as door prizes at a non-kilt related function and the total with shipping was around $65 (had them in hand two days after I placed the order). You will spend at least half that much buying the material to make two.

[auld argonian]

If the actors don't have to actually put the kilt on while on stage, the quick, cheap answer might be to get some plaid material and do a belted great kilt or "little kilt" number:

http://www.theweebsite.com/greatkilt/index.html

...having a hard time finding a pictorial of doing the "little kilt", but it's the same kind of thing...laying it out flat with pleats in the middle and a front and rear apron and holding the whole thing together with a belt.

Best

AA

[Shanntarra]

Another option might be Stillwater's Thrifty kilt. Just under $30 each. I just ordered 2 from Jerry to use as door prizes at a non-kilt related function and the total with shipping was around $65 (had them in hand two days after I placed the order). You will spend at least half that much buying the material to make two.

For me to make them (and it be worth the investment) it would cost at least $50 in supplies, if I could find something that would work. The two places you suggested I will pass along to him. Thanks.

The problem is essecially the space back stage and the possibility of a quick change. They dont' have room to pleat a great kilt, and they only have like 5 minutes to change outfits. From what the script says, it would be more of a 'modern' plaid kilt.

[Shanntarra]

He ran the kilt prices by the director and if the costumer doesn't find anything in the next 48 hours, we are going to go with one of the one's you suggested.

That leaves the next problem. How to we make these faux bag pipes?
Do you think this would work as a prop? http://www.instructables.com/id/How-...-Bag-and-Reco/

[MacMillans son]

He ran the kilt prices by the director and if the costumer doesn't find anything in the next 48 hours, we are going to go with one of the one's you suggested.

That leaves the next problem. How to we make these faux bag pipes?

Hmmm...do we have any MacGyvers on this site??

[auld argonian]

Dummy pipes? Get thee to the Home Depot and cobble together a ship-load of PVC pipe and fittings and get the black spray paint out...attaching them to a bag ought to be relatively simple.

...sounds like the good old days...what we used to call "TBS" (Theatrical Busy-work Sh*t)...figuring out how to get props and set pieces that were out of the budget. It's theatre...remember the bit about suspending disbelief?

O for a Muse of fire, that would ascend
The brightest heaven of invention,
A kingdom for a stage, princes to act
And monarchs to behold the swelling scene!
Then should the warlike Harry, like himself,
Assume the port of Mars; and at his heels,
Leash'd in like hounds, should famine, sword and fire
Crouch for employment. But pardon, and gentles all,
The flat unraised spirits that have dared
On this unworthy scaffold to bring forth
So great an object: can this cockpit hold
The vasty fields of France? or may we cram
Within this wooden O the very casques
That did affright the air at Agincourt?
O, pardon! since a crooked figure may
Attest in little place a million;
And let us, ciphers to this great accompt,
On your imaginary forces work.
Suppose within the girdle of these walls
Are now confined two mighty monarchies,
Whose high upreared and abutting fronts
The perilous narrow ocean parts asunder:
Piece out our imperfections with your thoughts;
Into a thousand parts divide on man,
And make imaginary puissance;
Think when we talk of horses, that you see them
Printing their proud hoofs i' the receiving earth;
For 'tis your thoughts that now must deck our kings,
Carry them here and there; jumping o'er times,
Turning the accomplishment of many years
Into an hour-glass: for the which supply,
Admit me Chorus to this history;
Who prologue-like your humble patience pray,
Gently to hear, kindly to judge, our play.
[Exit]

Best

AA

[Kaw-Liga]

Hmmm...do we have any MacGyvers on this site??

Bag - use upholstery vinyl - stuffed with an old football and some foam rubber. You might find a used BAG style purse at thrift or re-sale shop.

Drones - and Chanter - plastic flutes (the ones that are blow into the end - like a clarinet) Music shop or toy department - toys are cheaper. These come in different sizes (lengths) Cover tuning holes of the drones with tape or shrink tubing. If you can't get enough different lengths - cut section out of longer flutes and glue back together.

Fabric department at Wal-Mart (at least locally) has varieties of drapery ties that would make tassels for the drones.

Huff & Puff - blow tube - rubber surgical tubing and a pipe stem.

Kaw-Liga

My advice is free, and possibly overpriced.

[Shanntarra]

Heh, thanks guys. If our prop guy can make nearly perfect replicas of Original star trek phasars, and tricordors out of old x box controllers, balsa wood, and pine box derby card, I think with a the suggestions you have made he can bash together a faux set of pipes. Thanks guys.