Closing Ceremony- and Michael Billington

[devonian.t]

What was the point in Billington reviewing the show? Are any of us going to consult his review to decide whether we are going to buy tickets?

It was the kind of event that rendered official critics redundant- Facebook and blogs were full of everyone's opinions. It smacks of self-importance for the critics to offer some pontification from on high.

(Incidentally I quite enjoyed some bits, wondered which bits had malfunctions and have seen enough fireworks to never see any more in my life. But that's not an official review)

[philitalia]

Did you notice the subliminal musical references ? Brian May looked like the granny from Addams family and Victoria did an impression of Queen of the Desert

[ClapYo'Hands]

Though I'm sad she didn't perform live, the Kate Bush bit made my night.

[abitoftap]

Brian May should be locked away and NEVER allowed out.

[devonian.t]

The Kate Bush bit was going well, then something seemed to go wrong- everything was built to the revelation of something, then it never happened. In the back of my mind, I could envisage Kate Bush under the pyramid, hyperventilating in a corner and refusing to go on.

Also why did Jessie J have so much exposure- was she covering for someone who bailed?

[ClapYo'Hands]

Agree about the Kate Bush bit. I imagined her bursting out and singing "Oh England My Lionheart".

Thought The Who were fantastic. Shame the Freddie image couldn't sing with Queen. Loved Eric Idle. They should have ended with that.

[Phantom of London]

I like Michael Billington as one of the West End finest and father of stage reviewer.

So I do understand why Michael reviewed the closing ceremony, especially with the Spice Girls performing and 'Viva Forever' opening later this year, only kidding his job is to review on what is happening on stage and not in a stadium.

[abitoftap]

Billington does spend most of the review asking how he can review such an event!!!

[Scripps2]

"The Kate Bush bit was going well, then something seemed to go wrong..."

I noticed that too.

I was really looking forward to seeing her - that would have been the highlight of the ceremony for me.

[ClapYo'Hands]

What did we all think of the new Running Up That Hill?

[devonian.t]

I never knew there were so many of us closet Kate Bush fans here!

I see in the programme that there were meant to be projections of event highlights on the pyramid- clearly there was a technical hitch, but no KB. The lady herself live on stage? That dream will never come true.

[ClapYo'Hands]

"That dream will never come true."

Such a shame! Did anyone get to see The Tour of Life?

[devonian.t]

No, sadly. I used to have the VHS of it, but goodness knows where that is now. An amazing spectacle. I think I'd even be happy with pre-recorded Kate if she (and Lindsey Kemp) directed the staging of a show- it was a distinctive vision, and I'd love to see her visuals for 50 Words for Snow or Hounds of Love!

[Muhlethaler]

"I never knew there were so many of us closet Kate Bush fans here!"

Neither did I. Kate Bush singing live would have made my year.

[devonian.t]

:)

[Phantom of London]

Yeap and I am sure I read somewhere that Kate Bush originally comes from Eltham, cough,co-ugh devonian.

[devonian.t]

Did I mention I originally come from Eltham once?

In fact, many many years ago, Kate bumped into me in a supermarket with tiny aisles, and I was so astonished, I didn't have a thing to say.

[Paterson]

I read that Kate was invited to perform, but she's too shy/much of a recluse, to want to do it. Same for Bowie, although in his case it's because he's essentially retired from the music industry due to poor health.

I've seen too many people complain that their favourite artist wasn't included, while someone they're not keen on was. It's inevitable this sort of thing that is aimed at all ages on all continents cannot be all things to all people, and overall I thought they did a good job.

I think they were hoping for Adele too, but she's apparently very pregnant, so that's that. I also heard that some people who had initially turned down the chance to perform changed their minds after seeing how successful the opening ceremony was! Coldplay chose to play at one of the Paralympic ceremonies instead.

However, it was unforivable that they just repeated the first few songs when they realised those slow coach atheletes were taking longer than scheduled to get into the arena. It would have been an opportunity to give a few other acts, or even songs, some air time, and stop it from sounding quite like we were caught in a loop.

George Michael should never have been allowed to sing his second song. Everyone I know, including George fans, think that was embarassing. He lifted the mood in the arena when he appeared, then he undid his good work. It's not as if he doesn't have other great songs he could have sung if his vanity required him to sing two whole tracks.