Hello, Internet World!
Mary Taylor here. So sorry for my long periods without posts! Just finished an unusually good run of Hairspray. We did not think it would go as well as it did, but it went really well. ANYWHO!
The big topic of the summer that simply cannot be ignored: London Olympics! Let's start with the opening ceremony (and end there, because that's all I really have to talk about in this post).
A great, great, great way to start things off, I believe. Starting with an appropriate theme of The Tempest, and only getting greater and greater. Starting with that really set the mood for the kind of show, and warned tha audience what, really, they will be witnessing from that moment on. Danny Boyle was the best choice to direct that opening. He is notorious for never making small choices, and he flaunted that aspect of his directing quite well in the opening. The whole opening was quite beautiful, and took us beautifully through the history of Britain. He wanted the opening to be "loud and thumpy," and he did more than fulfill that want. Musically, it helped everything transition and made what seemed to be random scenes thrown (I use that term as lightly as I possibly can) together seem very flowy. Music was a major aspect to the whole opening; it helped the audience understand what was going on, bringing us, loudly, to the Industrial Revolution, which Britain is famous for leading. Pausing for a moment of silence, while the "Britain Through the Ages," was poignant as it was where The Great War was in the tribute.
Moving to the tribute to Great Britain's literary excellence was amazing. There was a great tribute to GOSH (Great Ormond Street Hospital), which J. M. Berrie gave generously to throughout his life. My personal favorite was the dance the nurses and children did that represented what it was like trying to put children to bed at night. Moving into the dream sequence, the children dreamed of the great literary villains, including the 10 foot tall Voldemort.
Made almost entirely of volunteers, you can tell the opening ceremonies took months upon months of planning and rehearsing!
Lighting the torch was BEAUTIFUL! The NBC's camera shot from underneath was brilliant, and the luscious soprano singing as it was being raises. Gah! Amazing. From then, the best part of the evening, the world singing as one with Sir Paul McCartney in Hey, Jude.
Of course, though, the great huge event of the evening is the Queen's James Bond entrance. She let down her hair for the event and cheered wildly.
Overall, amazing.
I have to say, the NBC newscasters spoke far too much and gave too much commentary when there didn't need to be any. Of course, little tidbits about the history why they are doing certain things, sure, but a lot could have been easily cut out. Further, NBC cut a dance tribute to the victims of the terrorist attack in Britain and put a rather pointless interview with Michael Phelps in its place. Truly, I think it is rude of NBC. It was another moment the host country had to show what it had to offer and what they had spent months preparing, and we put a two minute interview with Michael Phelps in. I understand the importance of Michael Phelps, but that is disrespectful to the host country and to the victims of the attack.
So! The opening ceremonies were, indeed, loud and thumpy, and simply cannot be missed! It told a story as opposed to parading around. Musically, gorgeous. The Queen, excited and proud. NBC, think before you act.
Thanks, lovelies!!
Love always,
MT
Set fire to the rain! London 2012 Opening
