The Chap Olympiad

[Elizabeth]

Last weekend my husband and I went to The Chap Olympiad. What? you ask? (Or in the spirit of things: What, what?) The Chap magazine (yes, there is such a thing) has this event every year, with competitions such as the Martini Knockout Relay (where making the best martini, not the time is important), Cucumber Sandwich Discus (success is measured by the closeness of the sandwich to the plate after throwing), Umbrella Jousting (chaps in bowler hats on bicycles joust with umbrellas and use newspapers as shields), The Tug of Hair (pulling on an immense handlebar mustache), etc. The competitors were divided between chaps and scoundrels (one of the latter was named Heidi Heil and was dressed in a black SS-like uniform, but with The Chap logo as her insignia, and another was a "Bounder" who brought his butler Gustav). The audience (i.e. us) were encouraged to dress appropriately for chaps and chapettes. We had assumed that would be Inter-War period, but the people there ranged from Victorian to mixed periods, with one medieval wizard roaming around.

It was held in Bedford Square, the sole remaining complete Georgian Square in London, and we were there for eight hours but it was due to continue on into the night. It was loads of fun and the attention to detail in some of the costumes was amazing.

I've tried to upload a couple of Russell-like photos here, but the site (or more likely my computer) wouldn't let me. So here are some links:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/adamobet/4806526682/in/set-72157624531201512/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/adamobet/4806627572/in/set-72157624531201512/

There was a man in a dressing gown and deerstalker, but he kept turning his head every time I tried to photograph him. He must have been undercover. :)

My photos of the games are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adamobet/sets/72157624531301234/

And photos of the fabulous crowd are here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adamobet/sets/72157624531201512/

[KarenB]

What fun, Elizabeth! It looks like you had a lovely day for it as well. I'm quite taken with the rather portly chap in pinstripes with the leopard fez!! :D

[Strawberry Curls]

Love the pictures, Elizabeth. What a marvelous and eccentric event, and I love how everyone got into the spirit. Thank you for sharing. :D

[Pat Floyd]

Elizabeth, I spent so much time looking at the pictures last night I was overcome with sleepiness and went to bed before posting. The faces of the people are so wonderful, and what beautiful people. The world needs more events of this kind.

[Elizabeth]

I'm so glad you all enjoyed them! It was a marvel of a day, like being in a 360 degree period film. Everyone was so polite, too, which is rare in events that involve lots of people in an enclosed space. I have been checking out The Chap magazine's website and within their manifesto I found:

THOU SHALT ALWAYS BE COURTEOUS TO THE LADIES. A gentleman is never truly seated on an omnibus or railway carriage: he is merely keeping the seat warm for when a lady might need it. Those who take offence at being offered a seat are not really Ladies.

and

THOU SHALT ALWAYS SPEAK PROPERLY. It's quite simple really. Instead of saying "Yo, wassup?", say "How do you do?"

And as a sort of Russell/Lord Peter connection, this was the final line in their obituary for Ian Carmichael:

"The Chap raises a glass to this tweedy hero of the silver screen, who captured the spirit of the age and made it alright to be slightly ineffectual, as long as one was immaculately turned out and able to wear a monocle with conviction."

Pat, I completely agree on the beautiful people. Not many of them were "model" types and yet they were hypnotically attractive in the original sense of the word. I couldn't take my eyes (or my camera!) off of them.

[Strawberry Curls]

I love this magazine!! and I've never heard of it. Must go off and find out if I can get a subscription. It seems to celebrate style, joie de la via and that perfect note of insouciance that denotes class (in all its connotations).