A dress among kilts

[Streetcar]

Last night we had our 3rd annual Kilt show, as I posted here.
(I'll get a link to show photos up in a separate post)

The show went well, and all the performers were kilted...except one. He showed up wearing a woman's print dress. It wasn't something that could even remotely be disguised or "reconfigured" to look anything even remotely like a kilt. (Apparently he didn't own a kilt, so he borrowed the dress instead. I have no idea why he was cast for the show if he didn't have a kilt, but that's a separate rant.)

I'd like to say I was miffed, but in fact I was pissed. The point of doing this was to show off the Kilt as a Man's garment. To have a male performer wearing a dress would destroy the "unity" of the group onstage, and make it look like we were mocking the kilt - calling it the same as a dress.

The performer in question is pretty good, but he's got a reputation for pushing the envelope - not a bad thing in an improv troupe. I was hoping the directors would tell him he wouldn't be playing, but that was apparently not an option. There was talk about having him wear a shirt over it, or doing something else to hide the fact it was a dress.

In the end, I told him I thought he should wear it as is. If he was going to make a choice like that, he should own up to it and stand onstage. No shirt, no group logo. Just the damn dress.

The show started, and I was the host. I came out first, wearing a Stillwater Black Watch. I did my opening speech and the other players came out (all wearing Utilikilts). The last performer introduced was the one wearing the dress.

We all lined up, and I stood next to the cross-dressing performer. I told the audience, "Some people tend to get confused on this point, so I just want to make sure you all know the difference. THIS is a Kilt, and THIS is a dress. MEN wear kilts," and did a slow take at the cross-dressing performer.

There was a minor reaction from the crowd, and I think I got the point across.

[Jock Scot]

There I was thinking that we had all the idiots! I really must try to stop thinking.

[Nick the DSM]

I think i would be pretty mad that he wore a dress to that, especially if he stood next to other kilties.

[cessna152towser]

"Some people tend to get confused on this point, so I just want to make sure you all know the difference. THIS is a Kilt, and THIS is a dress. MEN wear kilts,"

A good line to justify the inclusion of the dress in the show. Some "kilts" stretch the definition more than others but a one piece dress designed for a lady simply would not hang correctly on a male figure and would look rather silly.

[Dr Mac]

Streetcar, Well Done!

[beloitpiper]

I'm glad you got the point across. And that guy will think twice about it again. Can't wait to see the photos of that one!

[sharpdressedscot]

Well, done. I would have done the same thing in your position.

Probably the audience would have been able to tell the difference, but you can't be to careful.

[RockyR]

Probably the audience would have been able to tell the difference, but you can't be to careful.

I think the audience WOULD have known the difference, but what he did was INSULTING. If I were in the audience, I probably would have gotten up and left and demanded my money back. That initial speech by streetcar may have saved me from leaving though.

I'm all for poking fun at one's self and all that, but poking fun has a "stopping point" before people get really angry. he crossed it.

[Oldhiker]

Kyle I can see the steam coming out of you ears. Sorry I had to miss the show... maybe next year

[BobsYourUncle]

Streetcar--your solution was brilliant. Instead of trying to disguise the offending performer, you made him take the spotlight, and made of him a demonstration point. I wonder if the offender understood that he had done wrong, but whether he understood, it sounds like the audience couldn't help but understand. Swift thinking on your part, and your elan carried the day.

Bravo!