Kilted at MacBeth

[auld argonian]

So...I think that I mentioned that my daughter's eighth grade class was going to go to MacBeth at the Chicago Shakespeare company and that I was just dying to chaperone and...hey...what would YOU wear to a performance of "The Scottish Play"?

And so it came to pass....
I threw on the SWK Hunting McLeod, a white dress shirt, solid navy wool tie, black vest and one of those tweed jackets from Old Navy that we discussed as a potential "alterable to a kilt jacket" a whle back...unfortunately this is the one that I bought on SUPER clearance ($11) as opposed to the one that I bought on clearance ($20) which is the work-in-process being cut down to kilt jacket length...so it was regular length but I figured I'd probably get away with it. Buzz kidder sporran, the Bridgedale Blaxnit socks and my dress oxfords completed the outfit. It certainly wasn't up to "The Hamish Standard" but I assure you all that it looked okay...I would never let the side down by going out looking the least bit shabby.

...and it was loads of fun...got to school at eight AM with my daughter and received a loud reception from her entire class. Lots of "Mr. G...that is SO cool!" The teachers were all, "Well...that's interesting...nice of you to dress for the occaision." The school's secretary mentioned to me that my daughter's prestige increased due to her father's bravery in clothing selection. We got on the bus and got to Navy Pier...the teacher said to me, "You know where the theatre is...you lead the way...there's no chance that we'll lose sight of you dressed like that." (This is a compliment?)

So we got to the theatre and the group was taken aside by one of the Chicago Shakespeare staff who was going to give them a little background information about the theatre and the play and tell them to turn off their cell phones...she then said, "...and I see that one of your teachers has worn his kilt today to get in the mood of the play." And I deadpanned, "No...I always dress this way." The kids and real teachers know that this is not true so they got the joke and the CST staffer was slightly embarassed...excellent!

We were there with several other schools...when it was over I actually had some of the highschool kids come over and ask if they could take their picture with me...I agreed...I don't know if they thought it was cool or that I was - shall we say - a "charming eccentric" (or "wacko" as we call them in Chicago). But, as I told my daughter, perhaps they did think it was cool and they'll think "...maybe I should try the kilt..." and thus more kilted konverts are born.

All in all a positive experience. As to the performance: post-mod, leather-punk goth MacBeth...and I prefer my MacBeths more conflicted; this guy didn't seem to have any problems wiping out half of Scotland for what seemed like no particular reason...lots of concentration on the combat but stage combat is sort of the flavor of the month these days and seems to be getting a lot of attention....maybe they'll go back to spending the time on INTERP someday! Looking forward to the Stacey Keach King Lear at the Goodman next season. Also Henry IV pts 1 & 2 back to back at CST later this year.

The teacher emailed me last night thanking me for chaperoning the trip and stating that she thought that "...it was wonderful that you wore the kilts."

I emailed back: "I was only wearing one."

Best

AA

ps: stopped at MacDonalds (that Scottish restaurant) on the way home...MacDonalds clerk stopped and said that she loved the kilt...thus drawign the attention of everybody in the restaurant...I used one of my ususal lines, "...thanks...believe me, it's the latest thing...you'll all be wearing them come this summer!"

[Colin]

isn't the golden role that the name of that particular play not be said out loud?

Sounds like a fun evening. Well, except for the McDonalds, which just makes me ill everytime now (not sure what the deal is there).

[Richland]

Good story. kids reactions are typically well recieved. Not what I would expect sometimes. there is hope for future Generations...LOL...
I dated an actress once. She informed me that it is bad luck to mention the name in a theatre. So the Scottish play is the safe alternative. Anyone have the real story?

[mbhandy]

Mcky Dee's

Did she anounce it over the PA system :rolleyes:

After all you were wearing a McLeod not a Ronald MacDonald

MrBill

[pdcorlis]

I dated an actress once. She informed me that it is bad luck to mention the name in a theatre. So the Scottish play is the safe alternative. Anyone have the real story?

Indeed - we always referred to it as "That Scottish Play..."
Here's a link:
http://www.austinchronicle.com/issue..._feature2.html

[Sherry]

Yes, but Blackadder showed that it can be much more fun to say "MACBETH" aloud.

[Panache]

THE R.S.C. (Reduced Shakespeare Company) summed up the Scottish Play thusly:

"That never was there a story of blood and death
Than this, o' Mr. and Mrs. Macbeth."

[Nick]

People believe that Macbeth is a cursed play due to a growing list of accidents, injuries, and closings connected with the play. Thing is, there's a lot of combat in Macbeth, so there's an increased chance of possibilites of injury, some even fatal.

This is from my fiancee, who has a theater degree and is a Shakespearian herself.

Personally, I love Macbeth, and I have never had a problem saying it backstage for any reason.

[auld argonian]

Please see:

http://www.theonering.net/scrapbook/...llen/view/9938

http://www.theonering.net/scrapbook/...llen/view/9939

for stills from a Simpsons episode that featurred Sir Ian McKellen and the price of saying the name...

Best

AA

[GMan]

That is so cool to hear stories like this. Just goes to show one how great a Kilt can really be.