Nice photos. Thanks, reut!
reut, elanor – once again, thank you very much for your posts. You described the whole event in such a precise, vivid and beautiful way that there is little more left to add. However, as promised, I will try to explain to you why I was – and, although the emotions have worn off, still am – so very disappointed.
I already knew after last year’s show that our beautiful National Stadium is not the right place for this type of events and, sadly, this year’s show only cemented this opinion. reut and elanor explained in a lot of detail (and in a beautiful way) why this is the case and there is really nothing more to add. I am, however, almost entirely sure that if there is going to be another edition of KOI (or another ice show), the location will not be changed. The reason? The National Stadium is subsidised by the government, which is the only reason the hosts have the funds to hold that kind of events. Therefore, elanor, I sadly do not see a lot of chances of seeing Stéphane at our good, old Torwar Hall. It’s a shame, since the size of the hall is just perfect and its atmosphere really fits the kind of skating Stéphane represents.
You probably remember that last year, a whopping 20 thousand people attended the event. This year, sadly, the number was half that. In my opinion, this is a clear sign showing that people did not like something about last year’s event. The negative comments I heard and read after last year’s show (terrible cold and bad lighting) were completely ignored by the hosts. You cannot keep using "it’s winter, so it has to be cold" as an excuse, like the hosts constantly do. To me, it’s no excuse. They could have made hot drinks more easily available and provided places for people to warm up. People were warming up in… the restrooms! Because of that, those who actually needed to use them could not get inside. It was an embarrassing situation. As I have said earlier, for Stéphane, I would be willing to stand in the cold for 24 hours, but people like elanor (an ice skating lover, ready to freeze to death), reut (an ice skating aficionado and a professional figure skating journalist at the same time) or me (a die-hard fan of Stéphane) are really few and far between. Last year, people were cold and saw nothing spectacular (not everyone appreciates the genius of our Idol), so this year, they "voted with their feet" – they just didn’t come.
The lighting!! Last year, people complained (I quietly did too) that the spotlights were set up in such a way that they were blinding the people opposite. This year, as soon as I entered the stadium and saw the very same spotlights, set up the same way and blinding people the same way, I immediately knew things were not going to be good. I agree with you, jomeku that on some videos, the lighting looks really nice and even adds a nice ambiance, but when I watched the show live on the stadium, there were moments when I wasn’t able to see a lot. I had great seats (right in the middle of the small stand) – low enough to be close to the rink, but also high enough to have perfect view of the entire surface. But what does it matter when there was a huge spotlight shining right into my eyes from opposite? I understand that the hosts do not have much experience in organizing ice shows, but I cannot comprehend why they completely ignored the complaints from last year. This year, they even "improved" some people’s view by placing large speakers right in front of their faces – this is pretty much what it looked like -
Photo 1 Photo 2The cast!!! Following the rule of "if you have nothing nice or good to say, don’t say anything" and taking elanor’s on-point remark to heart, I’m not going to talk about the performances of most of the artists. Thank you for doing the job for me in such a subtle manner, girls!
I’m also saddened that despite the presence of the full cast (Evgeni, Stéphane, Brian and Tomáš), they once again did not show everyone’s favorite routine, The 4 Kings. I’m convinced that people would much rather watch that program than the clumsy performance of the two gentlemen in "Ghostbusters" program. Not even the host could stop himself from saying something along the lines of "they looked as if this was their first time ice skating". I’m sorry, but I can’t stop myself from saying that either
The fact that Evgeni, Brian, Tomáš and Ivan performed only one program!!! I feel very upset; cheated, even. People come to events like this to watch Stars, not local skaters. When you already see all those Stars in the cast, but instead, you’re forced to watch some skaters who are known in the local circle of figure skating only, it’s very, very frustrating.
Last but not least, I’m going to talk about the biggest disappointment, which made me feel downright annoyed. I realise that marketing is key in this type of events. In a way, I even admire the hosts’ creativity in choosing the name of the event. They really couldn’t have found a better publicity booster than Chopin. In the beginning, it was said loudly and proudly that each Star would perform two programs: a free program in the first part and one performed to Chopin’s music in the second part. As the day of the event drew closer, the announcements kept evolving. You already know how it all turned out in the end. The event had little to do with Chopin. A big, big disappointment!
I’m very glad it was Stéphane who took part in the press conference. Thanks to this, we’ve got a lot of really beautiful photos, but doesn’t it seem odd to you that the main Star and the Boss of the entire undertaking was missing? A very strange move, I have to say
If there is another KOI event next year, if it is again held at the National Stadium and if Stéphane is in the cast again (praying for that to happen!), I’m going to buy a seat right next to the exit, so that I can come when Stéphane’s about to perform and leave after his routine. And the rest of the time I will spend drinking hot tea at a café
Now, I’m going to talk about what I liked. Tomáš made a really positive impression on me. I really liked his program. Like elanor, I dislike comedy routines and I didn’t like his performance from last year at all. This year, I was very positively surprised. Ivan was a huge surprise to me too, since I had no idea he was such a good skater. Elladj’s program performed to the mix of Michael Jackson’s songs was very energetic, I’m sure everyone liked it. Brian and Adelina – I’m glad I got to see them live. The routine similar to the one at Art On Ice (the group of skaters in LED-illuminated suits) – they still need to practice a lot, but with so few positive impressions at the show, I’ve got to say it wasn’t too bad.
And finally, Stéphane – the only reason for my return to KOI at the National Stadium
If Stéphane is going to perform "Gone Too Soon" and "Take Me To Church" this year, I’m going to be very happy. I don’t think I will get bored of these programs anytime soon (which, sadly, at some point was the case with last year’s "Nessun Dorma").
The first time I saw "Gone Too Soon" (on a very low-quality video, by the way), I immediately knew I would love this program. Stéphane’s joint performances with The Jacksons were very moving and I liked them a lot. Jermaine shedding a tear at the end of the performance (which can be seen in the official Art On Ice video) and the way the brothers thanked Stéphane (and vice versa) for performing together give me goose bumps every time I watch it. Such a wonderful, moving moment. I was afraid that without the brothers singing live, the performance would lose some of its magical ambiance, but it didn’t. It was simply beautiful!
I was very surprised when I learned that instead of a brand new program to Chopin’s music, Stéphane was going to perform "Take Me To Church". However, I’m not complaining, since it was really a dream come true (as far as realistic dreams are concerned, of course – there are some programs I dream of seeing live, but probably will never have the opportunity to do so). I was a little surprised when he entered the rink dressed in the "Nobody’s perfect" outfit and I thought to myself that it must have been much more convenient for him to take a comfortable sweatshirt instead of a jacket for such a short trip. I also remembered that I had seen a video (shared on TW by pianomaya) in which Stéphane found on the ice something what looked like a piece the ornament of his jacket and then he kept checking his arm. It was during the finale of Music On Ice –
you can see it here. I therefore thought to myself that the jacket might be undergoing renovation. It doesn’t matter. I already really like that blue, "imperfect", sweatshirt, even though I was honestly not really a fan of it when I first saw it in the picture shared by Stéphane before Art On Ice. But back to the subject of "Take Me To Church": you all are right when you say that the Intimissimi version and the new one should be treated as separate programs. The former was beautiful, dark and unique in the wonderful lighting of the Arena di Verona. However, even though Stéphane was fully involved emotionally, I can’t help but think (as I watch the video) that he wasn’t feeling comfortable on the ice back then. That event left a slightly bitter taste in my mouth and I just can’t help it
The new version is indeed simplified, but it isn’t any less beautiful. I love Stéphane performing classical and romantic programs, but his modern ones are like diamonds. Nobody, absolutely nobody can perform such programs the way Stéphane does. I was on cloud nine! In all honesty, whenever Stéphane enters the rink (and I’m fortunate enough to see it with my own eyes), my brain shuts off completely, my emotions go crazy, my heart feels as if it’s going to jump out of my chest, I can’t breathe and I cross my fingers for him to pull all the technical elements off perfectly. This was also the case this time. I was happy and moved when he finished. Everything went beautifully and Stéphane was greeted with enthusiastic applause
And now, I’ll talk about what touched my nerves the most during the entire event; something we’ve already talked about here before – the miracles that happen when we leave our comfort zone.
Last year, I didn’t bring any flowers to the show, since I had no idea whether I would be able to give them to Stéphane. It turned out that the skaters were literally within arms’ reach of those sitting on the small stand (including me). And of course, I was mad at myself back then. Therefore, this year, I decided to bring not only a Swiss flag (like last year), but also a bouquet of red roses (elanor, if you saw who was giving them to Stéphane, that was me
). Imagine my disappointment when I saw that this year the rink could not be accessed at all from the small stand (nor from the grandstand, in fact). During moments of boredom (that is, throughout most of the show), I kept wondering what to do to give the bouquet to Stéphane. My anxiety grew into absolute panic as I realised that I would have to leave the stand, walk around it and enter the zone that’s closed to the audience. I have to tell you that I’m a very, very shy person and I was completely paralysed by the thought of standing there all on my own, in everyone’s sight (at least that’s what it felt like to me)
But I did it! Right after Stéphane finished his second program, I went there and waited for an appropriate moment to give him the bouquet during the finale. I was standing there like a lemon, not knowing how to behave, totally unaware of what I was doing, trying to make eye contact with Stéphane – but to no avail. When I had already lost all hope, a miracle happened – Stéphane came up to me… and here comes the black hole in my head
I only came back to senses in the parking lot, as I was getting into the car. That’s what happens when I leave my comfort zone. And why I was "maybe just a bit too overwhelmed" (as reut accurately noticed)
Despite all, I’m really glad I worked up the courage to do it. I felt like it was, in a way, my duty to do at least this much to thank Stéphane for all those beautiful moments and emotions I experience thanks to him; for his ART
Despite my huge disappointment with the event as a whole, I am, of course, incredibly grateful to the hosts for making it possible for me to see our Idol live. As little as two years ago, I didn’t expect it would ever be possible. Therefore, despite all, thanks!!
I’m very sorry it took me so long to write down my impressions. Firstly, I’m not good at writing; secondly, I work during the week, which means I don’t have a lot of free time; and thirdly, I had to ask for help translating it all so that you can understand me