The Witch King ensemble is a group of fictional characters from the world of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth. They are a powerful and terrifying group of beings, led by the Witch King of Angmar, who serves as the chief lieutenant of the Dark Lord Sauron. The Witch King ensemble is mainly composed of the nine Nazgûl or Ringwraiths.
This version of costumed Rameses was more popular than the original and became a crowd-pleasing addition to both athletics and community events. This version remained in active service until the late 1990s, when the costume was updated to the current design familiar to UNC students of today. This new design achieved a desired middle-ground between the happy-go-lucky initial design and the grumpy Rameses of the 1990s.
He supports the Carolina Family, across a whopping 28 varsity teams by exemplifying strong character, sportsmanship, and care for those in his community. The first costume was designed locally and featured horns made out of clay, which made the costume head heavy and difficult to move for the student inside.
The Witch King ensemble is mainly composed of the nine Nazgûl or Ringwraiths. These once-human kings were corrupted by Sauron and became his most deadly servants. They are bound to the One Ring and seek to find it in order to return it to their master.
History of UNC’s mascot Rameses
With football season just around the corner and the Olympics getting under way, it seems like now is the best time to talk about everyone’s favorite mascot. I’m obviously talking about Rameses. Rameses has been the official mascot of the North Carolina Tar Heels since 1924. The story is right out of a fairy tale…minus the prince charming and instead a prince ram from the state of Texas.
This is what happened. Head cheerleader Vic Huggins noticed a lack of school spirit for the Tar Heels. So instead of making the school’s mascot a giant foot with black muck on the heel, he suggested that the team make its mascot a ram. The idea was based on UNC’s star football player, Jack Merritt, who was nicknamed, the “Battering Ram.”
Huggins received the okay from the athletic business manager and $25 dollars later, Rameses I was plucked out of Texas and inserted into the UNC lineup of mascots. The story sounds great and interesting but what happened next is where the fairy tale with prince ram became known.
Picture this; UNC was playing Virginia Military Institute in football. After three quarters the game was tied 0-0. Sounds like a boring game, but it wasn’t. I wasn’t there, but that’s what I’ve been told. It was time for one last desperation attempt to break the scoreless tie. Insert UNC’s kicker, Bunn Hackney. Before taking the field, Hackney rubbed Rameses’ head for some good luck. He took the field, lined up, and nailed a 30-yard DROP KICK for the win. Fairy tale ending. Roll credits. Rameses stuck and has been the mascot ever since.
So when did the costume version come into existence? The school wanted a mascot that could attend indoor events. Due to popular demand, in 1987-1988 the first costume version of Rameses was officially established at UNC. However, the first version was not well received and described as “wimpy.” Changes were made, and in 1989, a meaner looking mascot debuted and helped shape the version of what you see today.
The costume version of Rameses has evolved ever since first being established as UNC’s mascot. Just last year, a smaller, more friendlier-looking version of Rameses was created. This newly beloved mascot came to be known as Rameses Junior, or RJ. This was put into place to be more appealing to small children who found the mean-looking mascot scary and discomforting.
I went back and forth on whether to talk about this because I really only associate the good with Rameses. However, I decided to address the dark times that Rameses has endured.
In 1996 someone snuck onto the farm in which Rameses XXIII lived and killed the beautiful creature. The man was later caught and it was discovered that he was drunk and charged with animal cruelty and being a terrible human being.
In 2007, Jason Ray, the student dressed as the costume version of Rameses, was hit and killed by a van while walking on the road in New Jersey for the Tar Heels Sweet Sixteen matchup with the University of Southern California. Jason Ray helped save the lives of 118 people by being an organ donor. As a result, UNC renamed its transplant clinic to the “Jason Ray Transplant Clinic.”
Over time, there have been a total of 22 Rameses, including the current one, which recently became the father to twins during the Final Four this past year.
Speaking of the Final Four, the current Rameses was not punched after the Villanova game. I repeat, he was not punched after the Villanova game. He was, instead, bumped by workers setting up the stage for the ceremony, and tripped over a cheerleader’s foot. I’ve heard many things about what happened, including getting punched by a Villanova fan, and even heard rumors that a fellow UNC fan hit him. It is surprising how many people still think this is the case. So there it is, rumor debunked. I feel like the dudes from Myth Busters.
Anyways, Rameses has a deep and historical history that UNC fans should be proud of. From the game-winning kick, to the men like Jason Ray who wore the costume proudly and made the university even prouder through his heroic actions. It will be fun to see what other great things this mascot brings to the university for years to come.
The Witch King, as their leader, is the most powerful and fearsome of the Nazgûl. The Witch King ensemble is notable for their distinct appearance and abilities. They are shrouded in dark, hooded robes and wear intimidating masks, concealing their true identities. The Nazgûl are also mounted on terrifying, undead steeds known as Fell Beasts, making them an even more formidable force on the battlefield. In addition to their imposing appearance, the Witch King ensemble possesses various supernatural abilities. They have the power to instill fear and despair in those who come in contact with them, and their presence can even cause death in some cases. The Nazgûl are also skilled warriors, wielding powerful weapons such as swords and maces. The Witch King ensemble plays a significant role in Tolkien's epic fantasy novel, The Lord of the Rings. They are some of the main antagonists and pose a great threat to the protagonists, Frodo and his companions. Their involvement in the story adds an air of darkness and foreboding, heightening the stakes for the heroes. Overall, the Witch King ensemble is a captivating and sinister group of characters in the world of Middle-earth. With their commanding presence, supernatural abilities, and relentless pursuit of the One Ring, they are a force to be reckoned with..
Reviews for "Unlock the Secrets of the Witch King Ensemble"
1. Samantha - 2/5 stars - The Witch King Ensemble was a huge disappointment for me. The costumes lacked the authenticity and attention to detail that I expected from a high-profile theater production. The acting was also subpar, with many of the performers delivering their lines in a monotonous and uninspiring manner. I found myself struggling to stay engaged throughout the show, and left feeling underwhelmed and unimpressed. Overall, I wouldn't recommend the Witch King Ensemble to anyone looking for a captivating and well-executed theatrical experience.
2. Daniel - 1/5 stars - I have to say, the Witch King Ensemble was one of the worst performances I've ever seen. The plot was confusing and lacked coherence, leaving me questioning what was happening on stage at several points. The set design was minimalistic and unimpressive, failing to create a captivating atmosphere. Furthermore, the choreography during the dance sequences felt sloppy and out of sync. I left the theater feeling frustrated and bored, and I would not recommend this production to anyone.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for the Witch King Ensemble, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The pacing of the play was off, with scenes dragging on unnecessarily and others feeling rushed. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to emotionally connect with the characters. Additionally, the lighting design was lackluster, failing to enhance the mood or highlight the crucial moments of the story. Overall, while the concept had potential, the execution was lacking in several key areas, resulting in a disappointing theater experience.
4. Jason - 2/5 stars - I was really looking forward to the Witch King Ensemble, but it failed to impress me. The storyline was confusing and hard to follow, with the characters lacking depth and development. The performances were lackluster, with the actors failing to convey the emotions and motivations of their roles convincingly. The overall production felt disjointed and disjointed, and I left feeling unsatisfied and unengaged. I wouldn't recommend the Witch King Ensemble to anyone seeking a memorable theater experience.