Burlesque Update #4

Another week of wargaming missed, but another week closer to our first performance on 8th June!

I'm actually quite excited. Yes, there's a small part of my brain that reminds me that I could walk on stage and simply forget everything I've learned, but you don't listen to that bit. But most of me is keen to get up on that stage and do my thing. My solo act is now pretty much where I want it; I have all the moves and timing sorted, and the costume all assembled. We're mostly there with the costumes for the group performance as well, but there's some sequences near the end of the performance that we all need to practice a lot more. No point in looking good if we don't have the moves.

We did a quick post-rehearsal shot of the group as well. Two people are missing, and on the night there will be more makeup and sparkle, but this is what we're taking on stage.

Next Thursday is the final wargames evening I'll be missing for rehearsals. The Thursday after that I'll be missing gaming in order to perform!

Update: It's pure coincidence that we are dressed in the colours of Gran Colombia.

Trench Hammer Video

Over at  Jozi's Tin Man Blog there is short video showing the basics of a Trench Hammer game. To be fair it's been there for a while, but I only stumbled across it today.



And in case the embedded video doesn't work, here's the direct link.

Battle of Salta

I has a go at refighting the 1813 battle of Salta last night, using my Liberated Hordes HOTT variant for the South American Wars of Independence, and the paper armies I'd been using for Simplicity in Hexes.

It was an excuse to use my latest purchase - one of those toy wooden villages that I've always admired in other people's game setups. To be honest in this battle the town (which is Salta of course) simply act as as garnish, but I wanted to get the pieces on a table at some point over the weekend.

Salta is pretty much a straight up fight between two generals of equal ability (as in they're both Poor). The Patriots, under General Belgrano enjoy a superiority in quality, as well as a slight edge in numbers. So the Royalists, under General Tristan were content to sit and wait for them to attack.

The Patriots attacked, and as the infantry lines got closer, launched their cavalry at their Royalist counterparts.

Against the odds the Patriot horse were thrown back; the Royalist cavalry is inferior, but were supported by artillery.

The infantry lines were now in musketry range, and the initial volleys saw the Patriot advance stopped in its tracks.

Things were looking good for the Royalists. Their cavalry was actually winning the action on their left flank, and General Belgrano was acting with hesitation causing his army to waver in its desire to get to grips with the enemy.

Unfortunately the Royalist infantry line was also beginning to break up.

Their cavalry drove off the last of the Patriot horse, leaving it free to turn on the Patriot right flank.

The Patriots pushed forward again.

The Royalists seemed to hold, as their cavalry swung in on the Patriot right and skirmishers harassed their left

But the Patriot's resolve held. They saw off the flank attack and made one final push. The Royalists fell back ...

... and then, starting from the right of their infantry line, began to rout.

General Tristan was unhorsed and captured trying to rally infantry in the centre, and the battle was lost for the Royalists.

Casualties were heavy. The Royalists saw virtually all of their infantry destroyed or routed, whilst the Patriots lost all of their cavalry.

I always love refighting this battle. Despite the imbalance it gives a short, dramatic game and sometimes the Royalists can pull off a lucky win.

Burlesque Update #3

My burlesque classes are progressing very nicely so whilst I'm still a shame I can't get to my Thursday evening wargaming, it's great to see all of our hard work bearing fruit. We have most elements of our costumes to work with now, and some of the group moves are starting to look rather spectacular. My solo performance is also progressing well. I have choreographed all the way through, and the early stages developed to a point I'm more than happy with. I still dance like a geriatric hippo, but I'm a geriatric hippo that's having fun. Now it's just a matter of rehearsal, rehearsal and rehearsal.

Whilst of little relevance to most readers of the blog, we now have a flyer for the shows we'll be doing and this means, of course, that tickets are now on sale. It's very exciting!

Facebook Event Links:

Wollongong Showcase

Shire Showcase

Cavalry Encounter Refought

I replayed the Charles Grant 'Cavalry Encounter' teaser last night, with the minor changes to setup I outlined in my previous post. The game flowed better, although the result was the same; Bolivar's cavalry was routed by that of the Royalists. I took pictures, of course.

The setup.

Initial skirmishes on the northern hill.

Bolivar's cavalry form up as the Royalists advance down the road. The terrain in the centre was free of unexpected boggy ground this time.

Both sides form lines.

Bolivar's right collapses, and an attack in the centre and on the left fails, forcing the survivors to retreat from the road.

A series of Royalist attacks leave the Patriot cavalry at breaking point.