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Post by Tullio on Jun 15, 2008 18:03:59 GMT -5
So the character I have started to come up with for this year's faire is going to have a gambling addiction as his foible. Could anyone link/explain any sort of medieval/rennaisance gambling games? I know there were games played with dice/stones/bones or whatever but i don't really know any of the specific rules or whathaveyou. I plan on making wagers with patrons like "You win, I kiss the ground at your feet. I win, you pat me on the back" or something similar. Thank you in advance for any help! Much appreciated.
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Post by tomnaboley on Jun 15, 2008 19:05:35 GMT -5
Try these sites. This site has a lot of medieval/ 16th./ 17th century games. Scroll around it and it will show you card games like poker and other gambling games. It also has the rules for the games: www.jducoeur.org/game-hist/game-rules.htmlGluckshaus is a gambling game with dice. Can print your own board and has rules and details of game. This is a card game. Directions, rules and betting rules on bottom of page. www.modaruniversity.org/Game12.htmHopefully this will help you out. Kat Not sure why the second link isn't working, but you can cut and paste it into your browser. |
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Post by Higgins on Jun 15, 2008 19:49:11 GMT -5
That sounds like a wonderful way to interact with people. Just my opinion, but I would stick with something that doesn't require a whole lot of explanation. People will be more willing to go along if they don't think they are being set up. If its the gambling addiction thing you're going for, you could be willing to bet on anything. For example;
The next person to exit the privies- man/woman,
The guy at the bar - light beer/dark beer.
The first person to stand up from that table - parent/child.
Good luck and have fun!
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Post by Dillasandra on Jun 15, 2008 20:02:08 GMT -5
As you may have gathered from Kat's post, most of the games of chance of that period were card games in one form or another. Some games of dice, or other 'tossed' items, and betting on races, horses or humans. None of which really translate well to improv bits. The other HUGE game/sport was football, belive it or not, and was summarily banned by the Church when rivalries between villages became so fierce that vandalizing crops and buildings, free-for-all fighting, mutilation, kidnapping or even murdering rival team players became common. Not that the Church showed undue concern for it's flock's health - rather, so many able bodied men were rendered unable to work that vital crops suffered, starvation threatened, and the Church was denied it's tithe! Can't have THAT, now can we?!
If I may offer some suggestions here that certianly WON'T be 'period', but WILL work much better as street bits................the goofier the better. Trying a card game in the street will inevatibly be long and drawn out and boring to casual observers - unless you're betting how fast you can EAT one! Offering to do something silly - hop in a circle three times around the patron on one foot, flapping your arms ang singing 'What Do You Do With A Drunken Sailor'...now THAT will get you an audience!
Always LOSE your bet. It's just funnier, and human nature, even with something this silly, the patron will feel good that they've 'won'.
Also, losing then gives you the opportunity to allow the patron to watch you make good on your 'if I lose' offer, and presuming it's something funny, prolong your bit . If YOU win, and they pat you on the back, you're pretty much done.
Even better, allow THEM to pick what you do if you 'lose'. This lets them actively participate, and you'll be surprised at how creative they'll be! ( Just ignore the idiot few who want you to actually hurt yourself! )
If you DO want to use cards, something like the ol' "pick a card, any card" will do, and so long as you always pick the one card you've removed from the deck.......................
Just a couple of suggestions...I'd check with your current acting coaches, they're the pros, and will probably be a lot more help than I am!
Good luck and HAVE FUN!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D
And if anyone wants to learn more about the every day lives in the middle ages, I'd highly recommend Barbara Tuchman's 'Through A Glass Darkly', one of the most highly aclaimed histories on the 13th century. Used that puppy a LOT in my early years in cast!
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Post by Tullio on Jun 15, 2008 20:04:29 GMT -5
Wow, so much information! Thank you everybody!
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Post by Tullio on Jun 15, 2008 20:50:25 GMT -5
"Prithee good sire, my physician did suggest to me that my gluckhaus levels were dangerously high." *rimshot* *crickets chirping*
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Post by Sir Trevor on Jun 16, 2008 7:06:01 GMT -5
Kat, I fixed that link that was being difficult for you.
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Post by Mallory Fauve on Jun 16, 2008 20:41:36 GMT -5
I agree with both Higgins and Dillasandra.
Keep it simple, keep it silly!
Fast interactions are great fun and easier to get patrons involved with.
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Post by tomnaboley on Jun 16, 2008 20:46:06 GMT -5
Thank you Trevor
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Post by Dillasandra on Jun 17, 2008 12:27:20 GMT -5
I agree with both Higgins and Dillasandra. Keep it simple, keep it silly! Fast interactions are great fun and easier to get patrons involved with. And they will be remembered long after a long, elaborate bit has been forgotten. |
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