Monday, March 21, 2011

A Steampunk Night at the Operetta - Ruddigore

Miss Cherries & Gina (Mad Margaret) Wilhelm


 Director Danielle Villegas & a cast member

Well, Miss Cherries has had an exciting weekend, dear readers for to tell you the truth; it was my birthday on Friday.  I know you will not believe it, but I am officially 124 years old.  Of course I am a time traveler, like many of you, and I have been told that I don’t look a single day over 100.  I was born in 1887, but I won’t tell you how old I am officially, that wouldn’t do at all.  In observance of the day, my dear beau treated me with a night at the theater.  We went to see the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta Ruddigore (or the witches curse) and this is what I would most like to tell you about.



This charming comic ghost story suffers from a severe case of anachronism, however, the director Ms. Danielle Villagas, did a smashing job of re-envisioning the play in the Steampunk style.  The costumes were wonderful, and the sets, especially those in the last act were especially interesting with moving shadow gears in the background and ghosts stepping out of old frames.  


I will not go into the story line here as one can read up on it except to say that the operetta is a shameless spoof of the many popular melodramas of my century. These include ghosts, a mad woman, a pretty maid, a cast of professional bridesmaids, a jilted lover and a hapless baronet cursed to perform one crime per day or die in unspeakable agony.

While the first act was plagued with technical problems, the comedy was broad enough for the audience to read even if the singers could not be heard well over the orchestra.  In the second act this problem was partially remedied as mikes were repaired and the sound better projected from the stage. Ms. Villegas appropriately broad comic staging of the chorus and the principals conveyed the story hysterically.

Everyone in the cast was good, but I must say there were three stand- out performances that night.  First was Gina Wilhelm as Mad Margaret. Personally I think this role the most fun of a cast of really madcap characters.  Untypically, she appears on the scene, madness in full bloom and slowly goes (almost) sane in the course of the play.  The character suggests to her new husband that whenever she starts to “slip” he say the word Basingstoke to calm her.  Gina wavers between wild-eyed murderous insanity and wobbling calm with every utterance of the term.  Astoundingly, she was in such good voice this night,that I could hear every word she sang.

In the second case, there was Mr. Gene Ma who played Sir Roderick Murgatroid, the ghost who taunts the hero into doing his “duty” and performing a heinous crime.  Mr. Ma is a small man with a huge baritone voice.  Played against Nick Fuchs (Dame Hannah) who is well over 6 feet tall, the two played a hilarious duet, “There grew a little flower”, in Act II which left Miss Cherries breathless with laughter. I declare, I was vaporous…positively fainting!

Finally, there was a minor player who I could not take my eyes off all evening.  Miss Erin Wise in the role of the first bridesmaid, Zorah, was utterly precious.  Miss Wise’s suggestive (dare I say risqué?)antics in trying to get and keep the attentions of the fickle sailor Richard Dauntless, kept me laughing right through the play, even when I could not hear the singers over the orchestra (a consequence which could not be helped).

 Erin ( Zorah) Wise & Miss Jubilee

After the play, Mr. Fulminate and I tripped next door to a lovely traditional public house called “The Irishman”.  Hunger ruled the hour and so I abjured my usual abhorrence of “pub grub” (shudder)I ordered fish and chips.  I am so glad I did, because the food was plentiful and very good and inexpensive.  Though I am usually a light eater, I felt compelled by the celebration of the day to have dessert.  I was presented with St. James cake, a luscious spice cake made with Guinness stout, full of raisins an topped with caramel glace’ and cream charlotte.  It was simply delicious with a great cup of black coffee to cut the sweetness. If you have occasion to visit Everett town you must visit this lovely pub, as much for the food as for the grand selection of Irish whiskey.
 Miss Jubilee in a (gasp) pub!

All in all, this 124th birthday was the best in recent memory. People in Everett were agog over our Steampunk togs and several people mistook Mr. Fulminate for a cast member.  What fun!  Until we meet again, dear readers, I remain Cherries Jubilee… spreading Steampunk cheer and steam posh gear wherever I go.

Copyright Cherries Jubilee 2011

Saturday, March 12, 2011

AIR KRAKEN DAY and AIRSHIP PIRATE STOMP

A very special thank you goes to Gary Watts of GIANT ATOMIC ROBOTS fame! Read more about the day here: AIR KRAKEN RESEARCH on his website. According to GW, Wednesday March 16th is the OFFICIAL AIR KRAKEN DAY. This is the original post that created our interest into making this a GLOBAL effort and to launch a viral video on AIR KRAKEN DAY (which is hopefully going to become an honored tradition here in the Seattle Steam-punk Society.)
MONDAY 3/14 at 3:30,  Cherries Jubilee will begin teaching dance moves to all attending in costume! After that,we will be hosting a live Q. and A. on Monday night between 5 and  9PM PST for fans of Seattle Steam-punk and Air Kraken News. Gary will be there to host with Cherries along with Gabe Cain and his project AIR KRAKEN TRIKE.
So we ask all to join us in celebration on Monday March 14th at The JEWELBOX Cafe  between 3:30-9PM to be a part of it all!
UPDATED: THE VIRAL VIDEO UPDATED 3/20/11 LEARN THOSE MOVES WORLD!


TO ALL WHO ATTENDED A BIG STEAMPUNK SHOUT OUT!!!

SEATTLE CLOCKWORK QUADRILLE

THIS IS THE MOST FUN EVER!

Dance like you have a timing chain!

Classes in Seattle & Lynnwood for beginning and experienced dancers alike. Sign up for family fun!

Donations of $10/person; $14/couple help pay for classrooms.

We are a group of dance minded steamrats who get together to develop and dance a unique combination of 19th century ballroom dance and modern street punk...with a little goth thrown in for spice. Our group includes rank beginners and accomplished dancers and we are always looking for new in...fluences....

CONTACT: pickingcherriesorchard@gmail.com to sign up

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Fat Tuesday on Pioneer Square

Mardi Gras in Pioneer Square

I arrived in Pioneer Square a bit early to see the beginning of the Fat Tuesday celebrations.  We had been invited to the a very famous Seattle Ball, but as we were early, my beau Ox, and I stepped around the corner to view the storefront of Klondike Penny’s Old Time Photos.  Much to our surprise, she was open.  As I introduced myself, Joanna Urrego graciously ushered us into her beautiful studio.  There is a real player piano at the front and many beautiful costumes to allow the discerning lady or gentleman to become a character from the days of the Klondike . Joanne was anxious to snap our pictures in her beautifully appointed sets.  I was wearing a fetching pink chapeau by Avery Millieu and a lavender bustle skirt under a pink silk corset which Joanne was positively giddy to photograph. You can see the gorgeous results above.

As she snapped away, she told us the strange story of Penelope Makepeace Ransford, who came to be known as Klondike Penny;a notorious madam of one of the most exclusive brothels in Seattle during the Alaskan Gold Rush.  The studio is situated in the very building where Klondike Penny plied her trade, if you can imagine.  Apparently Miss Penny’s girls had to learn at least two languages and be able to read, write and do arithmetic in order to work for her.  Many were often paid to write letters home for their gold mining clients. Joanna  also mentioned that some of the iron bed frames from that time were still housed in the basement! And there is more, dear reader, the building is also home to a ghost! I will whisper more about  the story of the ghost in another post.

It seems that Joanne and Ivy are planning to expand their business to include frilly underpinnings such as corsets, corset covers, bloomers, bustles, and petticoats.  Oh to have a ready outlet for lingerie that I don’t have to make myself!!!  In order to speed that lovely day along, Miss Joanna has offered a discount of $5 on any package if someone comes in and mentions my blog.  Packages start at only $15, and so are very reasonable. You can visit them on Facebook at Klondike Penny’s and see more of their fabulous photos.  Remember to “like” them too.
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As many of my readers know from posts on Steampunk Empire, I am a founding member of Loyal Order of Corsetted Ladies. I know they will be excited about this new mercantile. I will certainly be alerting all my friends as soon as Joanna and Ivy are ready to launch their new line of corset related underpinnings.  If you are interested, please join us on Steampunk Empire at the Loyal Order of Corsetted Ladies.  You can find us here: The Loyal Order of Corseted Ladies

Monday, March 7, 2011

My Day at Emerald City COMICON

Well hey ya'll!  I had a particularly busy weekend spreading Steampunk joy at Emerald City Comicon.  You will never guess who I ran into there.  I had my picture taken with that well known spark about town, Miss Agatha Heterodyne, star of the award winning gaslight fantasy, Girl Genius.  I had a little chat with the creators of my favorite online comic, Phil and Kaja Folio, who encouraged me to meet up with them at NorWesCon in April.  I am all aflutter to renew my acquaintance at the Northwest's largest fantasy and science fiction convention.

 I also made the acquaintance of many other charming folks.  One of these was the lovely and elegant Miss Ivy of Klondike Penny's Old Time Portraits.  This energetic young woman is creating beautiful and sensual old time photographs for the discerning lady or gentleman.  We must have made quite a splash, since more than twenty people asked to snap a picture with us during a ten minute conversation.  Perhaps I will be able to post some examples of this pretty proprietress' gorgeous work.

I also had a chat with the reigning doyen of Seattle Steampunk, Ms. Diana Vick.  I admired her beautiful illustrations as we conversed about the upcoming SteamCon III in October.  The theme is sparking all kinds of wonderful costume and accessory creativity in the Steampunk community.  Diana was wearing a particularly fetching brooch of silver filigree with a menacing cephalopod, completely appropriate for the Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea theme. I know I will be looking for some interesting undersea accessories to add to my planned wardrobe for SteamCon, easily the best party of the season. Remember ya'll...everything's better with tentacles.

I will be stepping out with my finest hat and gloves to the Port Townsend Victorian Festival on the weekend of  March the 18th.  Of course I couldn't miss the party at NorwestCon on Easter weekend and I plan on attending some smashing events during Moisture Festival in between.  All shall be revealed to my loyal readers as I travel the world spreading Steampunk cheer and Steamposh gear wherever I go.

copyright 2011