I know, I know... I posted yesterday already (and don't ignore that post - lots of interesting links to follow)! Just wanted to say that if you didn't watch the Paralympics Opening Ceremony last night... well, maybe you should try and catch at least some of it (some review here). We watched pretty much all of it (OK, I did flick about online a bit during the athletes' entrance business... the world's just so big!) and there were some fantastic visuals and tricks and music and words. I particularly liked the folk dancing about at the top of huge bendy poles (new type of pole-dancing!), all the flying, Nicola Miles-Wildin's wide-eyed Miranda (to Ian "Serena" McKellen's sparkly, and fairly groovy, Prospero), this Antony & the Johnsons song performed by 16 year old Birdy (homemade video alert):
and this fabulous hey-paul-this-is-how-you-do-it closing number by one of my favourites Beverley Knight (and a few friends):
And now it's the sports (good live news blog on all sports coverage is here for day one and the site will do the same for every day of the games). As you were...
*Sir Ian, if you prefer
9 comments:
It was the Ian Dury homage and Alison Lapper sculpture made large that really did it for me, and yes, Beverly Knight was fabulous! I also want a bendy pole.
Sir Ian gorgeous, but I think he should have had some better lines. And Stephen Hawking's presence, and words, pretty inspired, I thought.
I am coming to the conclusion that in both Olympics and Paralympics they should either drive the athletes on in floats, or have huge rising trapdoor-things underneath that brings them all up in one go. Good Lord? Vanuatu, anyone?
Yes to the Dury & Lapper too.
I read one review that suggested Gandalf had lost his script and was improvising but I think they were joking...
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympics/theatre-critics-view-sir-ian-mckellen-improvises-as-miranda-floats-past-during-the-paralympics-opening-ceremony-8092895.html
I didn't mind his bit so much. In fact Hawking's words about not looking down (at your feet) bothered me more. We do have to look down and up (don't we?). But I get the point... and it fitted well with the whole show/femes.
As for the parade business... we get that every country needs their moment but... yes, floats might be an idea!
p.s. good to have you back, T.
x
I love the thought that he was improvising! If so, all is forgiven.
He was definitely improvising the dancing at the end.
Good to be back. Need to find a way to make it permanent!
The Paralympics have their own website and it crashed yesterday while those of us who are um..."working"...tried to visit.
I have a wounded warrior friend who is covering this for the Army and she takes the best photos...can't wait to see them! I also had the privilege to meet one of the American female archers while she was in my hometown in March.
And yes, FLOATS like a parade would be much better! Hubby swears that make some of these "countries" up just to make the parade longer...I feel sorry for the first country inside!
Yep, glad Titus is home again but loved the "live report" while she and the Ts were away.
Friends of ours are down spectating at the Paralympics this week. Enjoying their photos (and videos) on facebook too.
x
That Beverly Knight number had me blubbering... Maybe this weekend I'll take some time to go online to check out some of the events...
It's on our Channel 4 over here... x
I will be watching this during the week. Just came back from Italy with my family. So far the word on the street is that the opening ceremony was as good as if not better than the Olympics. Thanks for the thumbs-up! :-)
Greetings from London.
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