The photo above was taken at Dover Castle. This was an unexpected gig, as someone else had to drop out unexpectedly and as I was around it made sense to drop me in. I was able to borrow some kit - so once again I'm crossdressing and a bit in yellow!
I find it really interesting to get to sing songs in places where they make some particular sense. For this gig, I pulled out my more relevant Childe ballads and what smattering of medieval songs I know and I went for it. The one that turned out most resonant was a song called Ned of The Hill.
"Dark is the evening, silent the hour,
Oh who is the minstrel by yonder high tower"
I've sung this song since childhood. It was rather lovely getting to *be* the minstrel stood under the castle wall, the disruptive peasant at the gate.
"Young Ned of the hill has no castle, nor hall
No bowman nor spearman to hurry at his call".
Singing outside with no amplification isn't easy. I was able to get a little help from the ramparts and walls, but not much. I had wind to contend with. I picked songs with tunes that had a smaller range because those are easier to belt out. I also slowed everything right down - using my breath for volume not speed, and because the slower words are easier to hear for an audience that is mostly wandering about. I maintain a suspicion that this kind of barding would be a lot easier with a period appropriate amount of beer in the mix, but there we go!
No comments:
Post a Comment