Tolkien 2005 - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Estelyn Telcontar · 08-17-2005, 11:20 AM

Hi! I'm still travelling, so I can't yet add an in-depth report - well, I just tried to write at least a bit, but the PC at this internet place crashed and it's gone. Suffice it to say that I enjoyed the event tremendously and had a wonderful time! More to come when I'm back home...

davem · 08-20-2005, 11:12 AM

Couple of reports on Tolkien 2005 here & pixhere

Estelyn Telcontar · 08-20-2005, 11:32 AM

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...

Estelyn Telcontar · 08-24-2005, 02:45 PM

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...

Lalwendë · 08-25-2005, 01:35 PM

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!

Estelyn Telcontar · 08-26-2005, 03:11 PM

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

Lalwendë · 10-03-2005, 04:01 PM

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).

davem · 12-19-2005, 01:01 PM

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

08-17-2005, 11:20 AM	#1
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Hi! I'm still travelling, so I can't yet add an in-depth report - well, I just tried to write at least a bit, but the PC at this internet place crashed and it's gone. Suffice it to say that I enjoyed the event tremendously and had a wonderful time! More to come when I'm back home... __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

08-20-2005, 11:12 AM	#2
davem Illustrious Ulair Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties Posts: 4,240	Couple of reports on Tolkien 2005 here & pixhere __________________ “Everything was an object. If you killed a dwarf you could use it as a weapon – it was no different to other large heavy objects."

08-20-2005, 11:32 AM	#3
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	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... __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...' Last edited by Estelyn Telcontar; 08-20-2005 at 11:36 AM.

08-24-2005, 02:45 PM	#4
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	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... __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

08-25-2005, 01:35 PM	#5
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	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! __________________ Gordon's alive!

08-26-2005, 03:11 PM	#6
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	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 __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

10-03-2005, 04:01 PM	#7
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	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). __________________ Gordon's alive!

12-19-2005, 01:01 PM	#8
davem Illustrious Ulair Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties Posts: 4,240	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 __________________ “Everything was an object. If you killed a dwarf you could use it as a weapon – it was no different to other large heavy objects."