Couple of reports on Tolkien 2005 here & pixhere

I'm back! And in recalling the events of the past week I've realized that it will take several posts to even scratch the surface of events. Therefore I shall report in installments. Here's some of what I experienced on the first evening:

I arrived with just enough time to unpack and get settled in my room before dinner. Lal, davem and I had arranged to meet for the meal, and it was great to finally see them! They are both friendly, warm-hearted, and enjoyable to be with. It's hard to put a meeting like that into words - it's very different than meeting strangers, though seeing and hearing each other is a new experience, after having read so much by and about each other.

The big surprise of the opening ceremony was Priscilla Tolkien - her appearance hadn't been announced previously! Unfortunately, the room was too full, so we didn't get to see the Farmer Giles play, but went out to the campus pub with narfforc. He is a very funny guy, who kept us (and others!) entertained by telling us about his LotR parody - we had lots of fun! I took photos, so as soon as they're approved by the others, I'll try to get them online.

There was a late lecture by Verlyn Flieger on On Fairy-Stories; I was very impressed not only by her knowledge but especially by her as a person - she was humorous, and very patient and gracious with questions afterwards, even those I thought were inappropriate or stupid.

More to follow...

The daytime lectures and presentations will be showing up in discussions on the forum - davem started Galadhremmin Ennorath a few days ago, and I posted "Not all those who wander are lost." today. I'd like to tell about the dramas that were presented - well, at least those that I saw, which were all but the Farmer Giles play.

The Reduced Silmarillion Company presented - well, the reduced Silmarillion, of course! It was a hilarious compilation of facts and fiction from the Legendarium, mostly involving Elves that begin with "F". It's nothing that can be told about, has to be seen, and was great fun.

The Tolkien group from Greece presented two tragedies - the story of Túrin and the myth of Oedipus, one act each. The stories have some remarkable similarities, and seeing them one right after the other showed that connection quite clearly. The actors (all amateurs, of course) did an excellent job; the fates of the characters were moving to those who watched.

Another parody presentation was "The Lord of the Goons", by the Cambridge Tolkien Society, whose members are apparently very active in dramatizations. I wasn't familiar with the original "Goons", but even so, it was very funny and got many laughs and much applause.

One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of the BBC dramatization of the LotR by the Cambridge group. Various members read the different roles in selected scenes for two hours on Sunday morning, and although there were other lectures during that time, I decided that I'd heard so much about LotR that I wanted to hear the words themselves speak to me. It was a wonderful experience. There were funny passages, with a fantastic voice for Gollum, for example. But there were also very moving passages, and by the time Sam said "Well, I'm back!" at the end, I was not the only listener wiping surreptitious tears away. (At least, so I was told - I couldn't see anything at that point! ;) )

There was no acting, aside from the fact that the speakers really got into their characters, but hearing the LotR being read aloud reminded me that it is a wonderfully oral tale. I remembered live readings on voice chat a couple of years ago and found myself wishing that there were someone to read aloud with at home...

I have to write a bit about The Reduced Silmarillion Company.

I'm not much of one for drama, but I do love a good bit of comedy. And these guys didn't disappoint. Basically it involved a small group of young men tearing about, running behind screens and coming out with say, a new wig on, to represent a character. Lots of comedy props were used including an inflatable hammer, many wigs and a doll. The Silmarils were represented by cans of Beer (very good choice). Add in some funny sound effects (including a highly over the top and very silly scream followed by the sound of a monster groaning) and a deadpan narrator, and plenty of running gags and it made for a fast paced but hilarious show.

It might sound very stupid from that description, but no, it was cleverly done, not amateurish, and it reminded me very much of The League of Gentlemen. It had the same frenzied style of joke, it was surreal and it had some great moments of dark humour too. If anything, it was a satirical look at the Silmarillion, and I do recommend it!

I promised pictures - here are three:

Four Barrow-Downers (narfforc, davem, Lalwendë, and Estelyn) Please note the Barrow-Downs totebag; I made it of my BD T-shirt.

Three BDers

narfforc as Pallando the Blue Taken at the Costume Extravaganza

I just found some more pics of Tolkien 2005 here. This appears to be an album from a Tolkien group somewhere in Europe (Switzerland I think). See Page 9 for a mad tattoo, and page 7 for a Barrow-Downer (narfforc). Page 2 has a piccy of Priscilla Tolkien, and page 13 displays passport evidence of the lengths some fans will go to (I'm lost for words). :eek:

Another one!

Yes, another FIVE DAY Tolkien conference! In Oxford this time - August 21st to August 25th 2006

http://p203.ezboard.com/fsecondsprin...picID=31.topic

Instead of tempting me with Tolkien conventions and conferences, why don't you just help me get permanent visitor status? Or maybe I should check out the family skeletons to see if there's any way I qualify for something more official. ;) :cool:

We're tempted by this, so I'll try & keep everyone up to date on what's happening.

There were only four of us Downers at Tolkien 2005 & it would be nice if we could arrange another (bigger???) get together next year. Have no idea if its residential or not.

Anyone interested in going?

Surprise! ;) I am...

Whether or not it will work out remains to be seen. Do you have any idea who's organising it? After enjoying last summer's conference so much, I would very much be interested in attending another.

A few days in Oxford is always tempting - especially if it were residential since Oxford is expensive...... Exeter has such a lovely chapel although I have slightly excruciating memories of my last visit..... interesting subjects too .....

You're as wise as I am - all I know about it is what I've seen on the website. Its probably the GK Cesterton Institute. They had one in Oxford earlier this year (or maybe last - not sure) 'Landscapes with Angels' on fantasy & imagination.

Unless I get a windfall, there's no England for me next year, let alone Oxford. I tell you, one day is not enough to visit Oxford. Ah well. Enjoy the Con! :)

There's a little more info about the Second Spring Tolkien conference, which I've copied below as I'm suspicious this link won't take you right there.

I have to say it looks very interesting so far and is in a fabulous location (couldn't be better really) but the price is ridiculously high considering it couldn't hope to be as packed a programme as that at Tolkien 2005.

£695?! :eek: :(

Well I can forget about that unless a premium bond comes up in a big way - especially since it is all weekdays :(

I'm wondering to post this is the 'Assigned to Mordor' thread, actually... :mad:

Here's a link to the actual website of the Second Spring Oxford Tolkien Conference. It gives extracts from might be expected from papers, some of which look extremely interesting, especially the one on Tolkien's England, and the event sounds very high level and academic. However, my suspicions are confirmed that there is only one paper being presented at any time, and it is very much a highly 'timetabled' event, including tours and dinners and the like. It is, however, in a beautiful college, includes plenty of time with Priscilla and has those interesting papers...

The cost remains at £695. For two people this is outrageous, which is why I am thinking of sending it to Mordor! That's about £1400, which would buy me over a month's holiday by the seaside in high season! Or a new car! Do they deliberately want to exclude us 'riff-raff'?

Rant over...

;)

Well the premium bond did come up yesterday but only to the tune of £100 - which was nevertheless and appreciated windfall, particularly since I had assumed the nasty brown envelope from up north was from the Inland Revenue. Not enough to make a difference to the conference. So I thinkI will spend it on shoes ...and maybe a chocolate fountain ...

I attended a German Tolkien Society seminar last weekend which featured several lectures by experts I'd already heard last year in Birmingham. I very much enjoyed it, especially as I'd already decided that the Oxford conference is not on my agenda this year. I asked the other participants, and the general consensus was: it's too expensive, and after Birmingham last year, we really don't need to go to something similar so soon. I wonder how well it will be attended...

I cannot believe the pricetag on this! Either they are putting people up at luxury digs, or someone has to be making money on this. Or perhaps they are paying all the speakers huge stipends?

My guess is they only want serious academics who will be funded by their departments not the lay enthusiasts...... Of course a more select gathering pushes the price up.....and Oxford is generally a lot pricier than Brum

They had another Conference a couple of years back - 'Landscapes with Angels' - about fantasy literature, with a focus on Tolkien & Chesterton & the talks from that have been published as a special edition of the Chesterton Review, so I'm assuming the same will occur with this one. Its available as a single issue here http://www.isi.org/journals/chesterton_review.html

And for anyone who didn't make it to Birmingham last year the Tolkien Society are due to publish the talks from that either later this year or next.

The program for that conference is quite wonderfully funny. On the evening of Monday 21 August 2006 for example, we learn that: "Evening free for conversations, orientation and rest". Does one have to do all three, or can one do but two? Does one have to do them in order or can one go a bit mad and do them out of sequence?

Even more amusing is the agenda for Thursday 24 August 2006 when after lunch there is a "Free period for rest or shopping". What if one wants to nip down to the Bird and Baby for a pint? Would that be frowned upon do you think?

From the looks of this thing, it is not something from which hoi polloi is being excluded -- quite the reverse! From the price tag, the lack of multiple offerings, the speakers list, the special guests, the paper topics and the location I assume that this is being put on specifically for Tolkien Fans of Means who don't mind dropping a bundle on a fab week walking in the professor's footsteps. I can assure you all that there are very very VERY few academics out there fortunate enough to work for institutions who would be willing to shell out that much money for a conference!

It would have to be specified as a 'pint opportunity' in the timetable!

:D

This made me laugh too. It reminded me of the Shearings Coach Holiday brochures my retired parents get which feature over-regimented four day breaks in Bournemouth and detail every last activity down to the minute. I have a natural aversion to being herded about and would somehow find myself unable to resist breaking the rules and rebelling by perhaps being five minutes late for breakfast or something.

Exeter College are maybe cashing in by ripping off the people organising this - you used to be able to stay there for £5 a night, dinner being £1.50 extra. I suspect that whenever the magic word 'Tolkien' is uttered in Oxford college deans' eyes light up with little pound signs in front of them. :rolleyes:

Is anyone planning on attending The Gathering of the Fellowship in Toronto this July?
http://www.gatheringofthefellowship.org
There are going to be lots of scholars there.

Be it anime or tolkien, us in the US get pooped on again. i wish i could go... :mad:

Tigerlily, how was the Gathering? I hope you have time to tell us a bit about it!

I'll be attending the German Tolkien Society meeting this coming weekend, and there are definitely echoes of Birmingham involved: Alan Lee as guest of honor; the Greek Tolkien Society as guests (remember their wonderful tragic play?!); and renewing my aquaintance with German Society members I met in Birmingham last year. Unfortunately, Brian Sibley, who was to come as well, is ill and can't be there.

Another very nice detail - the young German artist Anke Eissmann, who displayed her paintings in Birmingham last summer, designed a T-shirt print for the occasion. Here it is: T-shirt

That's a really cool t-shirt design! I like the way its quite cheeky. ;)

Anyone else going to Oxonmoot? I'm sure narfforc will be. We've not sent the money off yet so I hope we still get in! We're hoping to spend a few more days in the area too, so anyone with top tips about parking the car in Oxford for the three days of Oxonmoot (Somerville College), your info would be welcome, as would anything about good places to stay. We quite fancy wandering off to Avebury, Stonehenge and the Lambourn Downs too.

Yes I am going, and I will be going in 2007 by the look of it.................