Sunday 29 July 2012

Pandemoniam and Wonder

Strangely, until Friday evening, until I'd nestled on the sofa with a Tescos meal deal, until I'd nudged on the 3D goggles, I hadn't found myself swept along the swirling, euphoric waves of Olympic fever currently rolling over our nation. I hadn't even paid much thought to the torch weaving its way from county to country and around the London Eye. I certainly had no idea about the pre-event concerts and three minute bell tolling until they'd passed and were front page news.

As I said, until Friday evening ... until I watched the opening ceremony of the Olympic games.

Danny Boyle's vision was entitled The Isles of Wonder, and wonder in awe, I did, at a ceremony that was nothing short of breathtaking theatre. It told a story of British history that melded together old and new, idyllic and industrial, classical and electronic, and delivered in a way that was witty, brassy and triumphant.

I boggled at the sheer enormity of the dynamic spectacle, the choreography, and the impassioned performances from the hundreds and hundreds of volunteers.

At times it was confusing - in Dizzee Rascal's words, it was bonkers - the stage awash with constant change and activity. But I think that was the point, that life is forever influx and culture continually renewing, assimilating, finding direction.

Still, there was something magical, alchemical, in the air on Friday night. Something that spoke to my childlike sense of wonder. The maypole dancers, suffragettes, JK Rowling, neon ravers - caught me off guard, and I found myself surprisingly moved. The ceremony possessed so much heart, so much warmth, from the momentary lull amidst frenetic industry to honour the victims of war, to the emotional remembrance of those who lost their lives in the 7/7 terrorist attacks.

Images courtesy of Google

But, for me, it was the musical score that stole the show. I loved that our diverse 'rock and rave' back catalogue was celebrated by a pantheon of genre defining artists, some quite subversive in their day, like The Sex Pistols, The Specials, New Order and The Happy Mondays.

Underworld's composition, 'And I will kiss' (featuring Dame Evelyn Glennie and the Pandemonium Drummers) was simply stunning - a track I would've spun had I still been a DJ - it formed the perfect backdrop to the dramatic unearthing of the somber industrial landscape. Layer upon layer of drums, strings and vocals pounded, cascaded and rained upon the Olympic stadium matching beat for beat, hammer for hammer, the bricks and mortar, sweat and labour of those toiling workers who struggled and fought under the austerity and physical ambition of the industrial revolution. And when the spellbinding scene culminated with the forging of the Olympic Rings, I shivered goosebumps and shed overcome tears.

Danny Boyle said of the ceremony, "this is for everyone", and it rejoiced in the nuts and bolts, the bread and butter, the common man and woman, you and me. Last Friday evening, I've never felt more proud to be British, and that doesn't happen very often ...

And wasn't the Queen a good sport?



24 comments:

  1. You are right - totally bonkers but wonderful nevertheless.

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    1. It was, and I never expected to be THAT blown away by it!

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  2. I thought it was great. I particularly loved the opening hour or so, as we went from Jerusalem and England's pastures green to the industrial revolution - and the way that segment culminated in the smelting metal river and the creation of the olympic rings.

    Danny Boyle did a fantastic job (IMHO) in creating something completely different to Beijing but no less spectacular. I had thought we Brits might not measure up, but we did, and I too, felt proud.

    I looked online to see if I could find a list of the musical score as I wanted to see what some of the classical music was (am such a philistine) but couldn't find one. My one complaint about the musical score..why do they always have to drag Paul McCartney out at all these things? I don't even think he's got a very good singing voice...but that's just me!

    I do agree it might have been a bit bonkers (not sure about the NHS segment) but, it was totally brilliant in its bonkersness. Hurrah for the Brits!

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    1. Yes, the opening hour was my favourite. The creation of the olympic rings was something else - very clever. Forgot to mention Sir Macca, I thought he was very annoying too, time to wheel him back into his yellow submarine and throw away the key! No, he could never sing - you are absolutely right. It was bonkers but brill!

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  3. Bonkers, yes I am, I loved it! For parents who are at GOSH now or in the past, the tribute was very well received. I particularly loved that they nominated emerging athletes to light the cauldron, brought back memories of my athletic days.

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    1. Yes, I thought that was a great idea too - having our future sports stars light the cauldron - I loved it when they all hugged the aging atheletes who'd sponsored them!

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  4. I have yet to watch this in its entirety - but you've made me want to x

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    1. Oh good, I think you will enjoy it - it was very unique.

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  5. I loved it. it was mad, exciting, so much in such a short period of time. The noise, the images, the people - absolutely stunning. What a brill opener to the games.

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    1. It was really fab! I just didn't know what to focus upon!

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  6. Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah ,nah! Hey Jude!. Absolutely agree with you, it was a feast for the eyes and ears (apart from Macca). I was totally blown away by the sheer genius that Danny Boyle gave us.

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    1. It was genius wasn't it? Although next time, keep Macca away, I think we've all had enough of him now!

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  7. I loved it too, it was amazing, although I had to watch it from a recording as I couldn't stay up to see it. It was truly amazing and I think you are right, Danny Boyle did a great job, it did make me feel very proud. I didn't know the Queen could parachute! ;-) Hidden talents and up for a laugh. Seriously, I saw an interview the next day with the stuntman, and he was great too. What a thing to have done! Polly

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    1. I was totally blown away by it - DB did an amazing job! And there were so many little gems thrown in - like the Queen, Mr Bean, JK Rowling - loved it all!

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  8. I loved it,

    I do worry about queenie though - she should be in bed with a hot coccoa....

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    1. Ha! I know - surely she's getting too old for all this hooplah!

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  9. We watched some of it in Spain. I have to say the whole event has been amazing. I feel quite proud to be British.

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    1. Me too, I usually don't get all patriotic, but the opening ceremony made me feel otherwise!

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  10. Great post - summed it up so eloquently. I also loved it, but fell asleep as the countries begining with "C" entered - it was just on a bit too late for this mum of 3!

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    1. Thank you! That's when I, funnily enough, went to bed too, and then I watched the rest of it the next morning!

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  11. Lovely lovely lovely. Great post, and it makes me want to sit down with a glass of wine and watch the whole thing again! xxx

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    1. Thank you! I think I'll certainly watch it again!

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