Perfect weather and a large crowd were witness to the latest opening in the history of the competition. Some people like the shorter season but many of us old timers liked a longer competition that would start at the beginning of June and run until the end of July. There’s no perfect formula and the weather is a risk no matter – though this year it was the heat that made life difficult for the Royal team working in record temperatures to set up this first show.
The design was very well executed and, in typical Royal style, the soundtrack was mixed with seamless transitions between the pieces which made for a non-stop show. It’s not an easy task to assemble and interesting display from the music of only one artist, but this was achieved with a good balance between slower, more lyrical pieces, and the disco-style for which ABBA are well known. Good use was made of all the display space with some interesting nautical crossette effects. Synchronization was excellent throughout and there were some nice surprises for the audience with close-proximity gerbs firing right in front of the section of the seating closest to the lake.
Whilst not in competition, this was a very well done display that certainly entertained the audience with a good variety of effects including some interesting pattern shells of the Japanese character Doraemon as well as butterflies in both cakes and shells. The weather cooperated and there was just enough wind to move the smoke to the right of the La Ronde audience. Regular forum contributor and blogger Mylène Salvas, who is also a licenced pyro, was also on the crew!