Public Reports of shows 2008

Hadrian - British Museum October 2008

Graham A — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:47:00 GMT

The invitation, this time, at the British Museum was to assist in the final days of the Hadrian Exhibition in an evening’s entertainment that included Roman soldiers, cooking, contemporary dancing, arts and crafts. As the main arena event we gave three displays throughout the evening including two gladiatorial munera and a talk on stage combat; demonstrating the tricks of the trade with the aid of three very willing pairs from the audience.

Fighting in the Great Hall is always an experience to be enjoyed, low lighting, great acoustics and a Romanesque environment always conspire together to create a fantastic environment in which to fight and talk about Roman culture.

The event went very well, although I suspect that the museum staff worked a lot harder than the calming presence they displayed to us all.

Fighting at the feet of Antinous, Hadrian’s lover and the large podium he was stood on gave a wonderful stage to fight against, the crowd forming a D shape around us could feel very involved with the action as we fought. Introductions from our announcer set the scene as two pairs of gladiators fought for favour and hopeful victory.

The Great Hall’s floor always presents interesting problems; as it is so expensive, can be damaged reasonably easily but has the wonderful effect of turning into an ice skating ring as the cuts and thrusts of the fight are played out and can break weapons should the fall on it. An old fighting trick of orange juice on the feet and hands soon made us stick to the floor and fights were altered to make sure we neither damaged the weapons or the floor during the action.

Feedback from the British Museum was favourable, stating: “A big thank you to your and your team for coming on Thursday and helping to make the evening such a big success. We are delighted with how everything went. Your guys were extremely professional which helped enormously in the smooth running of the event.”

From our perspective the show was great fun, representing one of the more atmospheric museums we have the privilege to display in.

You call this archaeology - Indiana Jones

Graham A — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 18:32:00 GMT

Deeds of Arms members brought a touch of Hollywood two fisted action to the London ‘IT’ crowd recently with a restaging and reinterpretation of fight sequences from the Indiana Jones quadrilogy.

With an exclusive audience of supermodels, racing drivers, DJs and fashionistas dressed for an adventurous archaeological theme, Deeds members infiltrated the party for Rally Driver supremo and host Michael Ross. With an authentic selection of period costume, weaponry and members cast in roles all it took was for four German soldiers and an SS Officer to look unobtrusive, which was no mean feat. With our own Indiana Jones, John Morgan, making his best efforts to avoid the snake charmer (yes, he really is afraid of snakes) the scene was set.

With a nod from the host, our German troops sprang into action, chasing Jones through the night with machine guns chattering in front of an astonished audience. With our fearless hero out gunned and outnumbered, fist and feet flew. Faced with a giant of a German with a large wrench, and with the Indiana Jones theme crashing over the speakers the audience soon were cheering Jones on to victory. With the Germans defeated and the Holy Grail in safe hands, Jones bounded over the wall and off into the night to shouts of appreciation for the Deeds team and our host.

Photo sessions for damsels in distress who wanted to be rescued from the clutches of the evil *** rounded of a unique and enjoyable event. In the end it was one of our own soldiers who needed to be rescued though after being dragged into the swimming pool by a pair of models and a rock star’s daughter. He wasn’t happy we got him out. Just another Deeds event then...

Sherborne Lodge Park - June 2008

Graham A — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:01:00 GMT

This year round the weather was merciful, compared to the previous years torrential rain and near hurricane strength winds. The weather, although occasionally drizzly allowed us to entertain the crowd out on the lawn by the renovated fountain at the front of the Lodge. A perfect setting for the 'bungled house robbery' and the wandering intentions of the 'sword maestro'. Both plays went down very well with the audiences and groups members alike.

The site is gloriously situated in spacious surroundings with the original deer course to the front of the building, from the roof access you can see literally for miles across some of the loveliest countryside Gloucester has to offer . All of our shows except the ghost talk took place out the front of Old Grump Dutton's famous building, possibly the original scene of a few arguments similar to those we recreated.

The ghost talks in the cellar saw the usual fair of scared and brave alike, although most fitted neatly in-between. Demonstrating that they realised the talks were all for fun through nervous laughter, fleeting movements and a general look of relief as they left the dingy, dank cellar, home to the now infamous and completely fabricated Betty Swallocks and broke into glorious (and safe) sunlight.

Next came the 'bungled house robbery' with three house thieves wandering straight into the home owners hands (backed up with his hired help). The fracas that followed saw Lords, Ladies, men, women, children, buns and sacks of loot all swung about until somehow the thieves slipped through the net with their ill gotten gains.

The final event was a sword display from an eminent European sword maestro's students, the Lord and Lady of the house. However, after some parting, personal and all to close lesson from the maestro towards the lady of the house, things turn nasty as the Lord decides enough is enough. Unable to teach the maestro the lesson he desperately needed with the sword; he resorts to some old fashioned pugilism until the maestro's wife arrives on the scene and soon teaches them all how not to conduct themselves!

In summary the event was tremendous fun to be involved with and the feedback from customer and audience alike was all positive. Great fun all round!

Chedworth Roman Villa 2008

Graham A — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 11:46:00 GMT

Chedworth Roman Villa has established itself as one of the favourite UK locations of the society, the wonderful surroundings, intimate size of the event space and zero passing traffic all combine to create a marvellous experience for the members and public alike.

This year saw us use the building with its full extention as one edge of the arena for the first time. Its full length of 30 feet created a tremendous backdrop for photographs and safety.The weather meant we had to be very inventive with the aggressive show schedule or hourly arena events; mixing displays aimed at young children, teenagers, casual visitors and gladiatorial officianados in showery weather was hard work but terrific fun. Judging from the feedback from the visitors and customer alike the members present managed the task with flying colours. Bringing to bear many of our display elements into a single weekend including; children's massed battle reenactment, gladiatorial munus, theatre combat display, children's gladiatorial training school and gladiatorial munus dressup/kit display into a series of main arena shows was tremendously well received by all the visitors to the site.

The dreadful weather on the Sunday saw us switch to our wet weather routines enabling the 'show to go on'. Working doubly hard members of the public were brought under the cover of the building to listen to gladiatorial tales, try on equipment, examine merchandise common to the games and ask as many questions as they wanted. Arena events took place as gaps in the clouds and rain allowed through out the cloud darkened day.

Special mention should go to a few of our number for their hard work over the weekend.

Paul, for his constant efforts in making sure no one missed out on the opportunity of trying on some of the equipment if they wanted to.

Alisa and Becky, fighting for the first time as tiro dimachaeri and managing to wow the crowds with some impressive moves.

Steve and John for getting the building up and down in double quick time and arranging much of the wet weather routine.

In summary the event was hard work but great fun for all involved. We are already looking forward to next years visit!

Fort Nelson: Pirates 2008

Graham A — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:43:00 GMT

The recent Fort Nelson event our third of four this year went by with everyone from the public to the society members enjoying themselves. For us this event represented a tremendous opportunity to use the working period cannon the fort has access to on the mobile gun platform. Firing the weapon three times a day was gruelling work but thoroughly enjoyed by all watching and equally by those involved.

The 'hot press' tavern scene was a sure fire success with an additional one being carried out each day to meet public demand, this additional demand was met with impromtu cutlass drills carried out by our members and resident historical 19th Century cutlass and pike drill expert Steve Johns.

The weather started each day unkindly but neither the weather, a home ground Portsmouth game or the Olympics closing ceremony managed to keep good sized crowds away from the spectacle being offered by the Fort, us and the Historical Maritime Museum.

Our building saw yet another configuartion as the tavern/inn setting for the 'hot press' fight scene showing its versatility off for the audience who never once suspected that it has also stood as a gladiatorial armoury, medieval armourers or blacksmith's workshop!

A great job carried out by all and enjoyed by all that saw it.

Stockenchurch Fete 2008

Graham A — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 10:01:00 GMT

Our second event of the 2008 season has seen a successful conclusion with two central arena events and the static building display complete with its newest addition, the extension walls that were configured on this occasion as a shield display area.

With eleven members present our arena show included; some gladiatorial techniques and tricks of the trade; a children’s mock battle of Romans vs Barbarians with five of our members acting as the awful Barbarians facing Rome’s might represented by 10 child volunteers; then a trio of female tiro gladiators fought it out for a place in the hallowed grounds of the Ludus; then the veteran gladiators battled it out for a purse of money from the editor. Finally a stage combat demonstration ended the arena show to the applause of the crowds.

The group thoroughly enjoyed the fete and was more than happy to be involved with the day’s activity. The Spitfire and Hurricane flyby saw us all craning our necks looking to the skies.

Although not a historic site like many of our usual calendar we enjoyed some long conversations with the public at the building, often more about the hobby than the time we represent it was interesting to be able to engage people about this as much as about the history of the subject.

All in all a very nice event to have taken part in, leaving both us and the customer very satisfied with the day’s activities.