[Bards] Kingdom Championship

[Jay Rudin]

> I can't spell "eisteffod", I'm sure of it!

"Eisteddfod".  It's a Welsh name -- when in doubt, throw in some more consonants.

> 12th Night and the competition is fast approaching -- if I'm correct in thinking
> that the championship will be held at this event.
> What are the rules for the competition? ... What are the documentation requirements?  

>From Dona Antonia:
"Eisteddfod, the competition for Titled Bard of Ansteorra, will take place at Steppes Twelfth Night on January 8, 2005.  The rules are as follows.  Participants will be required to perform in three initial rounds: (1) campfire piece, (2) period-style piece, and (3) Ansteorran piece.  In the first round, the piece should be something you might perform at a campfire - no restriction on period or style.  In the second round, the piece should be in a period style or written within period; written documentation will be required, and the piece may be original.  In the third round, the piece should pertain to Ansteorra in some way, whether it be history, myth, legend, or celebratory in nature.  In the first and third rounds, documentation is not required.  After the third round, three to five finalists will be selected and each will perform twice more.  The winner will be chosen from the finalists and announced in court.&nb! sp; There is no restriction on repeating styles or requirement that any pieces be original, but diversity is encouraged.

"I am enjoying my current position immensely, and when the time comes to turn over the cloak to my successor, I hope to lay it on the shoulders of someone who will love and encourage all aspects of the bardic community.  I invite all the bards in the kingdom to consider entering Eisteddfodd.  If you are unable to enter but will be at Steppes Twelfth Night, please come participate as an audience member.  Further details , such as starting time, will be published closer to Twelfth Night.  Please contact me if you have any questions.  Thank you for your consideration and support  - I hope to see and hear all of you soon!"  

> What are the responsibilities of winning?

To be the Premier Bard.  Travel the kingdom, support bards, teach, perform, organize (or find somebody to organize) any neat bardic idea that comes up.

Each person does it differently.  The recent bardic collegium at Three Kings was put on by Dona Antonia and her immediate predecessor Master Pendaran.  Master Cadfan organized an interkingdom performance of Sir Orfeo, a medieval retelling of the Orpheus myth that was too long for any one bard to do alone (about thirty minutes).  

> Is there any advice for performers who are preparing, who haven't competed before at this level?

Enter!  The best way to get the experience is to get the experience.  Have fun, spend some time polishing your pieces, and recognize that the audience at an Eisteddfod are all bards, and therefore all enjoy listening.  When you're on stage, ignore the competition and just perform for us.

And have fun!

> Is it best to rpesent and perform in Persona?

I always think so, but I'm not in charge of this competition.  Introductions out of persona are like Bottom in *Midsummer Night's Dream* telling the audience, during the play, that he's not a real lion, he's just playing one in the play.  Assume you're watching a King Arthur movie.  Which would you rather hear:
1. Actor playing Arthur: "I'm going to simulate a knighting ceremony so that we can pretend that the actor playing Lancelot is now a member of the Round Table"
2. Arthur: "Step forward, Lancelot, and accept your place at the Round Table."

When I perform, I wish to be an Elizabethan courtier entertaining the court, not a network engineer in funny clothes.

Robin of Gilwell / Jay Rudin
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