Macbeth

[NewGuise]

Two years back I was planning to teach a course built entirely around Macbeth - the historical record, Shakespeare's play, and the many adaptations -and bought enough "MacBeth modern" tartan to make a great kilt, to talk about what might have been worn in Scotland c.1605, and whether Shakespeare (or indeed King James) would have known about this.

I then became Interim Chair of yet another department, not my own, and was unable to teach the course; a colleague got to do it instead. I was scheduled to teach it this year, and again was made Interim Chair; yet another colleague got the course. Is this my version of the curse of the play-that-must-not-be-named?

In any case, I had John/Slohairt of Keltoi turn that tartan into a splendid military box-pleated kilt. I wore it to work today - not the first outing for this kilt, but the first that was not a special occasion - and the reactions were great. My favorite:

A woman walked out of an office as I passed, saying "a man in a kilt," and from behind her I heard another woman call out, "must be Garrett; he does that." She then exclaimed: "but he is looking particularly resplendant today." And then, like a couple of others, she just had to check out the pleats. In detail.

The pleats are well worthy of checking out, both for the fine work and for the effect. Having the kilt pleated to the stripe, in the narrow box pleat, means that the back (mostly red) and front (dominant blue) almost look like different tartans ... until those pleats start moving, and the blue shines out.

It certainly does not "Hang loose about [me], like a giant's robe / upon a dwarfish thief" (Macbeth 5.2), but fits beautifully.

Sorry, no pictures yet (I know, I know ... but I don't exactly have photographers following me to the office). I just wanted to put in this belated review now, before I forget, because this kilt (like the other two he has made for me, but ... differently) really is resplendant.

So is the matching plaid, with hand-purled fringe, but I wasn't wearing that at the time.

Kudos to Keltoi.

[Father Bill]

I'm delighted to hear that, Garrett. John has been more than generous with his time planning a kilt with me, and more than patient waiting while I accumulate the cash to go ahead. All of the photos of his work show meticulous and exacting craftsmanship, and having met the man, he is a gentle soul and very humble. Now, don't be embarassed John - it's true!

I look forward to your photos almost as much as I look forward to finally placing my order.

[CMcG]

Military box pleats certainly do have a unique and striking effect, eh? I look forward to some pictures though it sounds like video would be required to really do this kilt justice...

It's a pity about that MacBeth class and I hope you get to teach it eventually. When you do, will you wear the kilt and plaid together for a pseudo great kilt look?

[Really a McQueen]

I'd not worry about the so-called curse of 'The Scottish Play', yet. However, should a lecture room catch fire (or be the only room in the building with enough heat to double as a sauna ) or have the ceiling tiles fall to the floor, then I'd start to worry.

[Cygnus]

Sounds like both a very interesting class and a very nice kilt! I am looking forward to the pictures.

And just out of curiosity - do you happen to subscribe to or entertain the theory that Macbeth and Thorfinn, Earl of Orkney, were actually the same person? It's an idea that I always found fascinating, though the evidence for it is a bit scant.

[NewGuise]

The weird sisters prophesy that I will never get to teach the course, now, but I will obviously continue to wear the kilt - and the plaid - often, and happily. Even if, as might well be the case, my job moves permanently to France next year ...

But yes, one really needs video, or at least a series of shots in swift succession, to capture the pleat action. John once likened the "swish" on the MBP "to a slow steady pendulum, unlike the tank which is more akin to a feather duster..."

Speaking of France, and kilts, I managed to spill a large quantity of red wine on my Keltoi Highland Cathedral (regular) box-pleated kilt last week; a shirt was ruined, but the House of Edgar teflon-coated tartan wiped clean with just a damp cloth, swiftly and easily and completely. Highly impressive.

[NewGuise]

And just out of curiosity - do you happen to subscribe to or entertain the theory that Macbeth and Thorfinn, Earl of Orkney, were actually the same person? It's an idea that I always found fascinating, though the evidence for it is a bit scant.

Doubtful at best, despite being the premise of Dorothy Dunnett's novel, King Hereafter. They may have been relatives, though, and very likely allies (which runs counter to the theory that Macbeth was Karl Hundason of the Orkney saga).

[NorCalPiper]

Hey Professor-
PICS PLEASE.........

[ForresterModern]

I love my Keltoi built Kinguussie style Ancient
Caledonia kilt that john made for me last year, although for some reason it does not get to see the light of day as much as it should. Waiting on pictures of yours.

Speaking of France, and kilts, I managed to spill a large quantity of red wine on my Keltoi Highland Cathedral (regular) box-pleated kilt last week; a shirt was ruined, but the House of Edgar teflon-coated tartan wiped clean with just a damp cloth, swiftly and easily and completely. Highly impressive.

At least you had the opportunity to put the famous Lady MacBeth quote "out out damn spot" to good and it seems successfull use.


Congrats.



jeff

[macwilkin]

I'd not worry about the so-called curse of 'The Scottish Play', yet. However, should a lecture room catch fire (or be the only room in the building with enough heat to double as a sauna ) or have the ceiling tiles fall to the floor, then I'd start to worry.

Information:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RZ_vmO3Jus

Although my father, who was a Shakespearean actor in the late 1970s, always says that the curse of "The Scottish Play" only applies in an actual theatre...at least that was the way he heard it...but he always had a Saint Genesius medal sewn on his costumes, just in case.

T.