Eurobeat - The Pride of Europe

The pinnacle of European culture – the Eurovision Song Contest – dropped in to North East Scotland, disguised as host country Liechtenstein. Acts from nine European countries (Sweden, Poland, Romania, UK, Lithuania, Greece, Portugal, Vatican City, France) plus Australia battled it out to see who would be crowned “The Pride of Europe” with numbers ranging from power ballads to comedy to upbeat disco. In typical Eurovision form the acts ranged from the traditional to the weird and all things in between i.e. refined singing and dancing of Sweden to a group of singing and dancing Nuns from the Vatican City to the disposable rain poncho and mask wearing trio from Poland. The event was hosted by Liechtenstein’s finest diva Marlene Cabana (Karen Walters) in a series of sparking gowns and a nice array of sarcastic asides to the audiences delight plus she delivered a heart felt rendition of “In the Dark” before the winner was announced. She was assisted by Master of Protocol Bjorn Bjornsson (Murray Speirs) and previous years winners Fanny Feuberger and Kevin Kupferblum (Alice Allan and River Lasol). Each of the ten acts delivered their numbers well – taking the event seriously but a little tongue-in-cheek. Among the highlights for me were Swedish entry Astrid Lungstromberg (Heather Hatch) with “Semaphore of Love” in her blue and gold gown and balletic dance; Nigel and Nadine (Mark Stitt and Karen Nealer) for the UK with the ballad “Why Don’t You Love Me Anymore?” (I was anticipating Nadine twanging Nigel’s braces but fortunately for him she resisted); Portugal’s guitar strumming Matteus Villela (Murray Speirs) with a beautiful rendition of “Guy with a Guitar”; Greece’s Nana Mouskouri-like Persephone (Samantha Law) and her rendition of “Oh Aphrodite” attended by her four scantily clad belly dancers and Corrine and her Cobbers (Hazel Croudace and Heather Hatch) representing Australia with the hugely comical “Oh Steve”. The interval act was the previous year’s runners up Norway’s Hammer of Thor featuring Brunhilde (Graham House, Hazel Croudace and Fiona Grant) with “The Vikings” scaring the audience as they made their way through the hall to the stage wielding swords and axes! The reprise of the opening number “The World is Your Dance Floor” by the whole company at the finale had the audience enthusiastically clapping along. Staging was kept simple but each act was preceded by an atmospheric short video filmed at local beauty spots to represent each country. Costuming was very good and appropriate to each of the entries. Well done everyone.

P.S. And the winner – decided by audience vote - was Nigel and Nadine the UK entry. The first time UK has won a Eurovision contest since Katrina and the Waves in 1997!

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