Monaco Revue -- The celebrity and lifestyle magazine with purpose

Social Diary by Candace Durocher

Monaco International Fireworks 2008

"What have I got to do to make you love me?" the speakers blared as the night sky over Monaco's Port Hercule burst into colour. Those opening words from Billy Joel's "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" came across as a jest because the Poles seemed to have had no uncertainty as what they needed to do to win hearts at the 2008 International Fireworks Contest.

Big bangs and even bigger eruptions of sparkling, multi-hued lights ensured Poland's celestial conquest. At times the fireworks lit up the entire habour so brightly, it seemed the clocks had been pushed back to dusk.

Whereas England before them went for artistry, taking pains to make their lights dance with every measure of the selected music, Poland went straight for the dramatic effect. At times it felt as if the audience was simply being treated to an FM station while the pyrotechnicians – quite ably – went about their work. They lit up so much of the sky, not even our wide-angle lens could take it all in.

Because of the limited coordination between music and light show, and because of a rather thick cloud of smoke that persisted during the performance, we'd give Poland an 8.7 out of 10. Somehow we suspect the audience might want to nudge that higher, given the spontaneous eruptions of applause throughout the show and a rousing two minutes of tooting from the yachts.

One thing we can all agree about: the Austrians have a hard job to top Poland when they arrive on August 11.

ADD YOUR COMMENTS

Comments to date: 2. Page 1 of 1.

Carey, Location unknown	Posted at 7:52am on Monday, July 28th, 2008
Just Beautiful. But it would have been better if your cameraman could have got eveything into the shot.
Terry Moran, New York	Posted at 10:04pm on Sunday, July 27th, 2008
'Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word' was written by Elton John - not Billy Joel.

ADD YOUR COMMENTS

Top Home