For those of you who have logged on I do apologise that I have only had chance to up-date my blog now.
Damn work laptop didn't work at home!! And as I have just moved house I have no internet yet. Sid many apologies to you.

Anyway......

Friday night. I enjoyed the show, I thought the use of graphics were brilliant and I felt a sense of pride watching it and then it finished. I like many others thought that there would be a massive firework show to round the evening off instead we had a rather out of taste refernce to Hilsborough. Yes we do know what it is like to come from a city where we lost ppl to the crush of a crowd but I don't think we needed reminding of it personally.

Saturday was totally and utterly amazing. So brilliantly put together it was stunning. I couldn't see that well as was sitting next to a handrail but it looked good anyway. The stars of the show for me were Royal Liverpool Philarmonic Orchestra. They were outstanding-hats off to them! It was a shame that only 10,000 people got the chance to see it. I know it was televised last night but you needed the atmosphere to appreciate it fully.

I spent most of yesterday moving house and writing up my piece from Saturday. Unfortunately after writing 900 words not a lot of it got used so thought I would put it in here for you. Enjoy!

IN the words of Phil Redmond, “we did it� and for the 10,000 people at
the Echo arena on Saturday night there was no doubt he was right.
Liverpool – The Musical went down a storm. The story of the city of
Liverpool dating back 800 years was told using expert graphics and mind
blowing music, classical and modern.
The brain child of Nigel Jamieson and Jayne Casey, co-directors of the
event, will be remembered by all those who witnessed it as one of the
best shows they have ever seen.
It isn’t every day that the wonders of Royal Liverpool Philharmonic
Orchestra, stacked up on several tiers at the back of the stage,
conducted by the expertise of Vasily Petrenko perform hand in hand with
the hip-hop trio, No Fakin DJ’s.
From the charter or Liverpool in 1207 to the rise and fall of the
British Empire, the abolition of slavery, the World Wars, the 40’s and
50’s, the 60’s and the rise of The Beatles, the Hillsborough disaster,
the untimely death of John Lennon, the riots and unrest of the 80’s
right through to the present day details of Liverpool’s past were
tastefully delivered to the crowd.
The show featured many of the great vocal and music talents of the
city; Pete Wylie, Echo and The Bunnymen, Connie Lush, The Wombats, No
Fakin DJ’s, Jenny John and Sense of Sound, Ruvian and dancers, Shack,
The Farm and not forgetting the stars of the show, Ringo Starr and Dave
Stewart.
The timing and co-ordination of the event was perfect, a feat for a
show with more than 1,000 cast members including school children, four
different choir groups and sensational acrobats.
The directors had thought of everything. For those who were hard of
hearing, sign language was used throughout and the graphics were bright
and visual.
From the beginning the show had the audience captivated. As everyone
filed into the arena workmen were busy onstage seemingly putting the
finishing touches to the event, an on going joke in the city is how
everything is finished with only minutes to go.
A bang and one of the workmen falling off the “Liverpool 08� startled
the crowd but held their gaze as the whole auditorium laughed at the
antics of the workmen before the music struck up and the location of
the RLPO became apparent on the back wall.
The crowd, made up of Liverpudlians, dignitaries, the worlds press,
young and old alike were up on their feet dancing by the end of the
show and everyone joined in singing “With a little help from my
friends� and the finale, John Lennon’s “Power to the people� when all
of the artists joined Ringo and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic
Orchestra onstage.
Ringo’s song Liverpool 8 went down a treat with the audience as he
relived his childhood in lyrics helped by colleague Dave Stewart.
Ringo looking out at the 10,000 strong audience joked, “I am that
close to moving back� after having a warm welcome which included a
standing ovation
Phil Redmond, who introduced Ringo onstage said afterwards: We did it
didn’t we? That was brilliant, truly brilliant.�
Speaking as soon as the house lights went up the Lord Mayor, Cllr Paul
Clark, gushed: “Wasn’t that fantastic? The history was cleverly and
expertly woven together. It really told the city’s story and linked
with our music too. Brilliant. It is a great honour to have Ringo back
in Liverpool. I have had one of the best weekends of my life, if this
carries on this year the culture year will have been a real success and
the city will really take off.�
Leader of Liverpool council Warren Bradley said: “It was fabulous. It
must have touched everyone in the arena, what a great start to what
will be a fabulous year for the city.�
Mr Bradley gave away 1,000 tickets to the underprivileged members of
Liverpool society as a gift for their hard work and dedication to the
city.
Proud parents Ian and Michelle McCaw were watching the show as their
three children were taking part. Their 10 year-old daughter Shannon was
leading the precession of symbolic boxes for her school St Christopher’
s.
Mr McCaw, from Speke, said: “She led the precession out on Friday
night, not bad for a shy girl. We are really proud of her and our other
children Michael, nine, and Demi-Leigh, eight.
“We are really looking forward to the Capital of Culture year and hope
to go to as many events as we can with the children. This is their
heritage.�
They were joined by Lindsey Harrison and Carl Matthews their children
Lois, 11, and Karl, eight, were also in the performance with Lois
leading the precession for Pleasant School.
Saturday’s Liverpool the Musical and Friday’s The People’s Opening
kicked started Liverpool’s Capital of Culture year in a spectacular
fashion.
Throughout the year more than 350 Culture Company events will be
taking place throughout the city, 70% of which will be free and open to
everyone who wants to join in.

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