Clairecz, you were there, TOO? Why did I not find out in time?!?
Because I was there, too. And more than 10 000 other people... Now, I have never been a great fan of skating shows, even competition galas get me bored in just a few seconds, but here, I was being the nervous mother hen - how will it go, will people like it, etc. I wanted it to be a success for Javi, repeating Pamplona. And, oh boy, it certainly was a success! The arena was almost sold out, I think there were some seats left in the upper corners. The atmosphere was just amazing!!!! I have been in quite a few full rinks/arenas etc., but this crowd was certainly one of the loudest I have ever heard in my life. And it was beautiful to hear the deafening roar when Javi slid on the ice for the first time for Man of La Mancha. Not to mention every other time he was there
David Wilson and Sandra Bezic have done a great job in designing the show, doing the group numbers and all to accommodate the smallish cast and Spanish audiences with what the international skaters could do in the time that was available. It started with Elladj skating almost in the dark over the soundtrack of Javi talking about skating (the studio time with Carlos Jean was used for this), then there was the Aranjuez Concerto group number with all but Javi on ice. At the end Javi came on ice to do MoLM and it was the short version from the summer shows - but he did it so much better than in Japan, where he messed up quite a few of the jumps. Here, very clean (but eg with a 2A that would have been out of the question in Japan). This was followed by solos from the cast starting with a sort of a solo by the Revolutionettes and Eva Ruiz, Elladj, Yuka. Dytrt & Bonheur, Jeff. Javi introduced Plushenko, who was followed by a Spanishy number by Jeff and ELladj which ended with the clapping battle won by Torero. The first part ended with the acrobats.
The second part started with Chaplins - Anna & Luca first combined with a bit of shenanigans by the Revolutionettes, then of course, Smile with Javi and the girls which was basically an enormous overdose of cuteness. This was followed again by solos. Yuka skated to a ballad sung by Eva Ruiz and people lit their phone flashlights and it was truly a magically beautiful moment. The pair team with Diana Navarro was pretty majestic and impressive. Elladj's solo was a beats battle with Carlos Jean and he wore mics on his skates - this was a genius idea and I really could have watched that even longer.
And then the first notes of Prometo... Just about the most perfect 3 minutes figure skating has ever provided. With no exaggeration whatsoever.
A happy finale song with audience waves to finish off the evening.
We (I was there with the wonderful
tureis) had bought out tickets relatively late and we happened to sit near the end of The Tunnel where the skaters came and went on ice. It was so funny to see how Javi seemed almost embarrased and awkward with all the applause people were giving and being the center of attention - especially at the end. But this is now a completely new scale for him. We were so happy and proud and completely ecstatic!
People were taking photos against the huge Javi posters inside the arena. When we went out, the ROI bus was there and people were taking their photos against the bus
We had arrived on Friday and spent Saturday sightseeing in Malaga - at the top of the moorish fortress (Alcazaba), we spotted someone wearing a Thank You Canada Tour jaclet and decided to go and have a chat - anyone wearing that, had to have come to Malaga for ROI, right? And they had - so we had a longish chat about figure skating right there and then...
The crowning event of the weekend took place during the icing break, though... As we sat by The Tunnel, we had spotted David and Sandra going up to watch the show with the crew. And they were there still during the break. We debated two seconds or so whether to ambush them just to say thank you for everything possible and then did it, climbed up to try and get a few minutes with them. And it was the coolest thing ever! I have really dreamed of getting to meet David Wilson one day, and meeting Sandra also was a huge added bonus
It was of course too short a meeting for much talk - they were also on their way somewhere before the second part began - but they were incredibly surprised that anyone recognized them, let alone came to say hi and appreciate their part in the show and in Javi's career in general! I was very happy that we did it and we were shaking for a long time afterwards.
It was all over far too quickly. Just got back home and now I really feel like I would need a day off tomorrow! (We sat up very late into the night talking.)
E for Ecstatic
. When I'm able to form coherent English sentences and more importantly when I come home and to my computer I'll write more. It was amazing and Prometo live is just ten times more emotional than in videos. All skaters were great :luv17:
