I find myself in an odd alternate universe called 'The Proms.' In this world excessive decoration, enthusiastic oratory expression and mad patriotism seems to be the norm. Let me explain.
We gathered at Kathleen Burt's apartment at 6:30pm for the final evening of The Proms. The evening began with a rather seemingly classical concert broadcast from a hall in Dundee. It was the first of a string of deceptions that made me question the universe within which I was residing.
The concert was technically classical and had all the trappings - a sedate and well dressed audience, the appropriate venue and a full orchestra with a conductor. EXCEPT: 1) There was a commentator - like at a sports event - who talked the night away with way too much manufactured enthusiasm. 2) The second guest artist was a badly dressed folk guitarist who sang exceptionally depressing songs in direct opposition to the sports commentator's enthusiasm. And 3) the orchestra was not dressed all in black and were occasionally draped in colored streamers....
When the Dundee concert finished - with little fanfare - the decorations began to emerge in the Burt flat. Maybe I should say that they more or less burst onto the scene.
Kathleen was the first to be draped in decor.
I couldn't figure out what to do with the gold curtain so I decided to wear it. My design choice was met with great encouragement.
Party hats of all kinds were introduced to the mix. There were several fez (or is it fezzzzes?), a few ancient top hats, a kid's cowboy hat and lots more. Mary chose this divine lady's hat complete with veil.
And then there were the flags - whose significance I only understood later.Kathleen, Mary and Christoph attempted to explain The Proms: A two month long concert series that takes place in London each year. They have been running for over 100 years and in that time supporters (or boosters as we would say in the states) have somehow turned the last night of The Proms (in the Royal Albert Hall) into a national patriotic event on the scale of the National Fourth of July broadcast from the Mall in DC.
There are, however, several oddities that make this a completely British event that the rest of the world may struggle to understand.
1. Attendees, dressed to the nines for a very elegant night out, bring and don silly party hats. I'm not talking small cone shaped 'happy birthday hats.' These can be HUGE.
2. Upper level boxes of the Albert Hall are festooned with flags of all sorts.
3. The hottest ticket in the house is the mosh pit in front of the orchestra where attendees stand for hours and play volleyball with large beach balls, wave flags large and small from any and every country, cause or royal crest they claim.
4. The orchestra rejects black (or any semblance of uniformity) for the evening with the women in lovely colored dresses of their own choosing (which proved in appropriate for one violin player when the camera pushed in to reveal not only her bra strap but the bra itself as her dress had not stayed on her shoulder where it should have).
5. The conductor's podium was completely covered with colored streamers and a sign, white with a red L. Turned out to be the logo for a driver who is learning. It was the conductor's firs time with the baton at the final night of The Proms.
Now to explain the evening's program.
The London portion of the concert began around 9pm. By that time we had streamers up, silly string had been flung and the flags were at the ready.
There are, however, several oddities that make this a completely British event that the rest of the world may struggle to understand.
1. Attendees, dressed to the nines for a very elegant night out, bring and don silly party hats. I'm not talking small cone shaped 'happy birthday hats.' These can be HUGE.
2. Upper level boxes of the Albert Hall are festooned with flags of all sorts.
3. The hottest ticket in the house is the mosh pit in front of the orchestra where attendees stand for hours and play volleyball with large beach balls, wave flags large and small from any and every country, cause or royal crest they claim.
4. The orchestra rejects black (or any semblance of uniformity) for the evening with the women in lovely colored dresses of their own choosing (which proved in appropriate for one violin player when the camera pushed in to reveal not only her bra strap but the bra itself as her dress had not stayed on her shoulder where it should have).
5. The conductor's podium was completely covered with colored streamers and a sign, white with a red L. Turned out to be the logo for a driver who is learning. It was the conductor's firs time with the baton at the final night of The Proms.
Now to explain the evening's program.
The London portion of the concert began around 9pm. By that time we had streamers up, silly string had been flung and the flags were at the ready.
Christoph and Mary waited with anticipation while the classical music program began.
It was classical music but participation was required - and there were shots of the Albert Hall and a huge crowd in Hyde Park - to emphasize the point.
And then, all hell broke loose with 'Rule Britania' and 'Oh Jerusalem.'I did my best to blend in with the natives but I had to use the lyrics sheet.
Just so you get the idea - this is a shot of the orchestra and the opera soprano brought in to perform some classical piece - although she came on stage dressed as a Viking queen. (see the Learner's Permit on the podium?)
After the concert was through Christoph and Kathleen were determined to empty the silly string spray cans. I believe Christoph had better aim.
Overall a successful and fun evening and I was, eventually, returned to my time continuum.
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