Nice Start Britannia!
July 28, 2012 at 4:10 PM | Posted in Olympics | 3 CommentsTags: Britannia, Sir Edward Elgar, Sir Kenneth Branagh, Sir Paul, Sir Simon Rattle
The Sirs got me at the Olympic Opening Ceremonies and they should have as the Ceremonies must have been designed for English Majors who eventually got into classical music, love sentimental sports movies and were the perfect age to welcome the British Invasion to U.S. shores.
Sir Kenneth Branagh, among green hills read Blake and then brought in Will Shakes. to remind us what country is boss in the word biz.
Sir Edward Elgar’s Nimrod Variation swelled as only it can, as Sir Ken finished his piece.
Sir Simon Rattle, baton and the London Symphony Orchestra in hand, led us through the theme from Chariots of Fire and though the movie is sacred to me, I was able to abide by the joking.
Sir Paul, well, he was sometimes my favorite Beatle.
The Industrial Revolution lost me but I had already set a personal record for sticking with Opening Ceremonies. The more pyro, the less I am interested.
Now, onto rooting for Natalie and Missy and Michael and Ryan and beach volleyball.
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Of course, in true British fashion, we were fearing the worst and wondering what 99% of the worldwide audience made of it. The history theme seemed right, and the focus on culture (rather than wars, which they sensibly avoided apart from a piece on fallen soldiers and terrorist attack victims which I gather NBC cut out). Loved the focus on our National Health Service (suck that up America!).Sorry about all the Sirs, I think McCartney’s should be withdrawn if that’s as well as he can sing.
Comment by Anonymous— July 29, 2012 #
I like the “Sirs” — I like you Brits best when you are strutting rather than moaning. How true fo all of us!
I’ve seen a lot of empty seats at the games but likely in early preliminaries. I cannot get enough of the swimming.
Comment by tommackey— July 29, 2012 #
But moaning’s the best fun we get! On which note there’s a big fuss about the empty seats. Seems to happen every time so must be an IOC problem – they dish out open tickets to people rather than making them commit to an event. Very annoying for those of us who couldn’t get tickets. Going to women’s hockey tomorrow though. Normally hate watching swimming but it’s been good this time.
Comment by Graham Page— July 30, 2012 #