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Above: Lady Ettie, 16th Century bag lady, at the Bristol Renaissance Faire on Saturday afternoon, July 17, 2003. |
Lady Ettie
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Above: Lady Ettie, 16th Century bag lady, at the Bristol Renaissance Faire on Saturday afternoon, July 17, 2003. |
| " 'ey... I see ye' back 'ere! I see whut ye're doin' !" |
| A gentleman ought not come up behind a lady pointing a camera as I had done, and a raucous, good-natured scolding was my reward when I was caught at it. It really was a reward, too. Unexpected encounters with performers able to draw you into the world that their characters inhabit make for some of the most interesting moments to be had at a Renaissance Faire. |  |
| Carol Z. Baker, the actress who created and performs the part of the memorable Lady Ettie, is particularly skillful at drawing us in. Had she not been so quick with the laugh and gap-toothed grin---completely in character, but also totally genuine---I likely would have felt a real need to apologize. |
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Lady Ettie was holding court from the midst of what she calls "Me Place", a picturesquely ramshackle assemblage of timbers, rough-sawn shingles, and curiously appropriate memorabilia heaped up southeast of Midsummer Stage on the edge of High Street. All is festooned with brightly colored ribbons and tatters, as is the good Lady herself. One might spend an enjoyable rest break sitting on a nearby bench under the shade of the oak trees, taking a visual inventory of her accumulated treasures. |
Photos © 2003 G. S. Hargrave. All rights reserved.