Steampunk

Last weekend I went to 'Asylum', a steampunk festival in Lincoln.

According to Wikipedia,

Steampunk is a genre that originated during the 1980s and early 1990s and incorporates elements of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, horror, and speculative fiction. It involves a setting where steam power is widely used—whether in an alternative history such as Victorian era Britain or "Wild West"-era United States, or in a post-apocalyptic time —that incorporates elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology, or futuristic innovations as Victorians might have envisioned them, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, and art. This technology includes such fictional machines as those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne, or the contemporary authors Philip Pullman, Scott Westerfeld, and China Mieville.

Sounds cool right!?

Lincoln is a lovely city, although I didn't spend that much time exploring it. Basically I walked from the station to the Cathedral Quarter, through the High Street and up the aptly named 'Steep Hill'. Checked out some tea rooms. Wandered around the Castle in the sun. Pretty cool. Unfortunately I didn't get chance to look at the Cathedral. Maybe next time.

The steampunk festival itself was lots of fun. So many friendly people with their really inventive costumes.


Saturday

Checked out the steampunk market.

Had a go at hysterical dancing, with Lady Elsie.

Saw an interesting play by a Victorian theatre company (Don't Go into the Cellar) called 'Jekyll the Ripper':

1888, and Jack the Ripper stalks the foggy streets of London. He will never be caught - but why? Could it be because the murderer had found the perfect alibi - the ability to transform into another person? And what part does the enigmatic American actor Richard Mansfield have to play in the most notorious murder spree of all time?

Saw an even more interesting burlesque show called 'Oh Dear, What Will the Major Say?':

That was unexpected. Probably wouldn't have sat on the front row if I realised we'd be watching a burlesque show. It was pretty entertaining. The compere was highly amusing too.

Sunday

Saw a talk on character development by Kit Cox (aka Major Jack Union), the compere pictured with the ladies above.

Watched some tea duelling. Possibly the best sport ever invented. The rules involve sitting opposite your opponent. Choosing your biscuit. Dunking 75 per cent in your cuppa to a count of four ... and removing. The winner is the last person to get a clean 'nom'. Why have I never played this sport?!

Had a go at the tango. It's hard. Really hard. The man has to lead. Perhaps I'm just not decisive enough. It was pretty funny though. Hysterics by the end.


So, steampunk festival. Highly recommended.

A picture of me 'pretending' to fall into a well in the grounds of Lincoln Castle. With waistcoat. Without top hat, ... it was really hot and I left it at the hotel, alas ... for the sake of this picture.