The Great Dickens Faire

[kiltimabar]

That is one great mustache, Jamie! I could never get that curl right, myself.

[Jock Scot]

Alan,

The interest in and continuing success of Dickens Fairs across the United States is a testament to the lasting power and appeal of Charles Dickens' story "A Christmas Carol". The Great Dickens Faire I attend each year have actors portraying the characters from the story. If one arrives in the morning it is possible to follow them throughout the day as the characters act out the most important parts of the story. It is a fun way to bring the magic of the tale to life in an imaginative and interactive way. I wouldn't dare suggest that the Dickens Fair or its patrons is an exact replica of old London, but it is trying to capture a feeling of being in the world of Charles Dickens. I believe that there are Historical Re-enactors in the UK and Europe who have different sorts of events that are enjoyed by lots of people in a similar fashion.

As for highland dress in Victorian London. It is my understanding that Queen Victoria had an interest in Scotland and Scottish Country Dancing which led to the promotion all things Scottish in England.

I am a member of the RSCDS and a performer with Red Thistle Dancers. We perform at this event for the most part period dances* (both Highland and Scottish Country dances) using period music (in fact we always dance "The Royal Salute" that was written and performed for Queen Victoria herself!)

It is a very pleasant time, one I look forward to the entire year, and our dance group works quite hard to provide an entertaining show to the patrons who come to the Faire that day.

The very best part is seeing the young children and the joyful sense of wonder they have as they walk through the "streets" of Dickens' London marveling at the sights and sounds. The Dickens Faire is full of smiles, goodwill, and the Christmas Spirit.

That makes it plenty worthwhile

Cheers

Jamie







* Even if non Victorian dances are performed we are quite careful that they do not include steps or patterns that were not danced in the 1800's

Let me try and explain.

I am all for people having a good time Jamie, as I am sure Alan is too, but the kilt ,London, Charles Dickens, Queen Victoria, etc., connections are really rather weak. Charles Dickens and the kilt? Does the connection exist at all? I think probably not. Yes ok if you want to make a fanciful hollywood-esque pantomime out of it then fine if you must. But please don't think you are teaching the youngsters anything about the the sights and sounds of London or anything accurate about the kilt.

It is this constant perpetuation of bending facts by this sort of theatrical pretence that both Alan, I and perhaps others in the uk question. It is actually not doing "education" any favours in the long run and it is very tiresome having to explain this time and time again. If you want to make a mockery of the USA then please carry on, it is your country. If you want to make a mockery of the UK-----and I am sure that you don't mean to-------then Alan and I will have every right to question what you are doing.

Now before everyone outwith the UK "reaches for their gun" just think how often, on this website alone, are people corrected about the kilt, kilt attire, Clan, tartan , historical, Scottish, English, British, Irish misconceptions. Once?Twice? Three? Four times a week?Sometimes more? Do you chaps really think you are educating people? Or are you just indulging yourselves?

[neloon]

It seems, Jock, that they just need some kind of make-believe to keep going. It might be better not to conjecture why. So any excuse for a bit of fancy dress and, unfortunately, the kilt gets tangled up in this.
Alan

[Jock Scot]

It seems so Alan. I am awaiting, with interest, the lame and defensive justification posts that are about to rain down on us!

[Panache]

Let me try and explain.

I am all for people having a good time Jamie, as I am sure Alan is too, but the kilt ,London, Charles Dickens, Queen Victoria, etc., connections are really rather weak. Charles Dickens and the kilt? Does the connection exist at all? I think probably not. Yes ok if you want to make a fanciful hollywood-esque pantomime out of it then fine if you must. But please don't think you are teaching the youngsters anything about the the sights and sounds of London or anything accurate about the kilt.

It is this constant perpetuation of bending facts by this sort of theatrical pretence that both Alan, I and perhaps others in the uk question. It is actually not doing "education" any favours in the long run and it is very tiresome having to explain this time and time again. If you want to make a mockery of the USA then please carry on, it is your country. If you want to make a mockery of the UK-----and I am sure that you don't mean to-------then Alan and I will have every right to question what you are doing.

Now before everyone outwith the UK "reaches for their gun" just think how often, on this website alone, are people corrected about the kilt, kilt attire, Clan, tartan , historical, Scottish, English, British, Irish misconceptions. Once?Twice? Three? Four times a week?Sometimes more? Do you chaps really think you are educating people? Or are you just indulging yourselves?

Jock,

Gee, I thought I was having fun

I think all the people that volunteer to work Dickens Fairs do it because it is fun

I think that the patrons go to these things because it is fun

I think that part of why we various performers that bring traditional British music, arts, and dance do so because people enjoy it and we would like to keep these things alive. As a member of the RSCDS I am very much in favor of seeing Scottish Country Dance thrive and continue on worldwide.

I seem to recall there was a Dickens Themed amusement park in the UK for a while, so the idea is not entirely unappealing to the British.

I believe there are historical Western shooting societies in the UK that get together for events in the UK, showing that not only Americans have an interest in other cultures.

I think I acknowledged that these events are not 100% accurate, but instead are trying to create a fanciful world based off of Dickens' stories for the entertainment and delight of the attendees. I think that people (especially children) do learn a bit from these sorts of things. I work at an elementary school and know the importance of ANYTHING that inspires children to pick up a book or want to know more about something.

I think, my friend, you are getting rather disagreeable for no good reason

But even though you are emulating the renown Mr. Scrooge , I shall in turn try my best to take the part of his nephew Fred and wish you a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

Stay grumpy Jock!

(We wouldn't have you any other way! )

Your Friend

Jamie

[Panache]

Jock,

One last thought.

A number of my friends, like Kiltimabar, attend the Great Dickens Faire. In fact a few of the members of the Red Thistles do as well on other weekends. They tend to wear long coats, top hats, spats, etc. The traditional English attire appropriate for London and the time period.

There are gentlemen wearing highland outfits to be found at Dickens Faire, but that are a minority. They do provide a neat bit of color and a sense of London being a great gathering place for the time. Just like there are a few gents that have formal outfits with just a touch of the "Old West" or Civil War era Military attire and are portraying Americans. Again making London a very cosmopolitan place. The folks that work the Dickens Faire wear English attire.

I am a member of a Scottish Dance troupe

I am wearing a very bright and fun outfit as part of what I do at the Dickens Faire, which is I am dancer with a Scottish Dance group putting on performances. Is it really such a stretch to believe that amongst the entertainments in London at the time that there might be Scottish dancing on display? Especially with Victoria's interest in things Scottish?

If you are curious as to what the Red Thistles do here is a video of one of our dances


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brux4Q_mkm0


For those curious, my friend Jonathan's black kilt is actually a Blackwatch military kilt (with the green band around the waist)
Some tartans do not show up well at all on video or in person at a distance. This might go to explaining why Highland Dancers wearing dress versions of tartans, so they stand out

Cheers

Jamie

[Jock Scot]

This Dickens Fair thing is just something else that we, in the UK, find impossible to understand especially what on earth it could have to do with kilts
Alan

A perfectly reasonable question has been asked Jamie and not one member has taken the trouble to answer it. Instead we have had a myriad of answers that have studiously avoided the question. Which inevitably adds confusion to those of us in the UK who are mystified by it all.

In passing, I would ask the same question to some one dressed as the "Ringo Ranger" with a brace of Colt .45's strapped around his waist at the event.

I am sorry Jamie, I don't see that I am being unreasonable or even, disagreeable in wanting an answer to Alan's perfectly reasonable question.

[Father Bill]

Umm, Jock, what you've quoted in your last post is a statement, not a question. One cannot give an answer to a statement. Am I missing something here?

[Jock Scot]

Umm, Jock, what you've quoted in your last post is a statement, not a question. One cannot give an answer to a statement. Am I missing something here?

Well alright I thought that there was a question mark at the end of Alan's post. My mistake.

So OK we split hairs, something that is a speciality of many on this website to avoid the issue.

Can anyone comment on and explain their stance, on the point that Alan makes?

[Panache]

I am sorry Jamie, I don't see that I am being unreasonable or even, disagreeable in wanting an answer to Alan's perfectly reasonable question.

I think I just gave you one

Read my last post!

Cheers

Jamie