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8:59 PM HNR
HNR = l'Heure Normale Republicaine/Republican Standard Time (Equivalent to GMT+1)
The final preparations had been made. For the third time in five contests, SRNP were preparing to broadcast live from Normandy and Picardy all around the multiverse. It might be a smaller show this time around - only 14, smaller than the previous two times - but all of the same worries and tensions were the same as any other time. It was time to again try and show the country off to the world, essentially bridging the gap between the Amiens and Le Havre hostings by looking both to its past and to its present, and indeed its future, a celebration of the two republic taken together at the point where they come together, in the federal capital of Rouen. Rouen, despite literally being the capital, had in fact never hosted the contest before, but that was all about to change, and SRNP were convinced that they would do it justice. As noted, despite the experience that SRNP now had plenty of experience hosting the show, this was to be their first time essentially trying to do it on a budget, given that really they were still recovering from the double hosting, and SRNP at the best of times was held together by sticky tape and backroom deals with union executives; indeed, they had only just managed to forestall a strike that would have taken place during the contest itself (though it would still be taking place after, not that they knew this yet). Of course, none of this was allowed to rise to the surface in front of the staff from the Overseership, now also led by a Normand luckily, or to any of the delegations - no need to scare anyone unduly. And, frankly, people had got used to the constant terror etched across the production teams' faces at this point. Anyway, I labour a point well past its comedic effect - the point is the show was ready, the button was ready to be pressed, the signal would go live, and the new IBA anthem, which for this contest at least had been adopted for the opening titles, would play.
On screens across Normandy and Picardy, from Amiens to Avranches, the SRNP ident played. A voice, the same voice as every time, but this time with a wonderful message. "Ce soir sur SRNP1, le 61eme Festival International de la Chanson, en live de Rouen. Attention, cette emission contient les clignotements" It was the same message they always heard, but of course one could never get past the fact of the city name. Eyes from around Normandy and Picardy were especially focused on their screens, parties were being had, and there was a generally celebratory vibe. Whilst of course the SRNP team were proud, they were hoping to save the bubbly and Camembert for later. Marie de l'Abre, the host for the evening, went through her preperatory technique, albeit she would not be on stage for a fair while yet, given the opening that had been planned (and onto which we'll finally get in a moment), following strongly in the Normand tradition that so much people either loved or hated. Marie of course now had experience, and evidently had done a good enough job to get invited again and get out of the point giving duties that she had become well known for. She desperately tried to harnass this in the meantime, although she knew that, in a strange way, once she was on the stage she would be fine, she'd go into the zone and present her heart out, for what it was worth. Meanwhile, the various acts all waited for their moment, with practically every emotion finding its expression, even some rays of hope it must be said, as everything was quickly sorted out. Again, they would have a bit more time to wait, for the same reasons. And speaking of that, let us get onto the show itself...
tune
And so, we move into the first part of the opening act, entitled "Bienvenue, nos amis" (Welcome, our friends), an agreeable enough title I'm sure you'll agree. The music is composed by Normand house and electronica producer Giscard Gros, a pioneer of the genre in the Rouen scene of the 1990s, but also to this day continuing to produce music and find major success, sweeping up awards, and serving as a major inspiration to the modern scene whilst still being a vital part of it itself. Indeed, most of the music not being performed by the competing acts this evening will be house or electronic music, as part of this celebration of past, present and future, and as a major, if not the central part, of the Rouen music scene in comparison to the more classical orientation of Cherbourg. Hence, this opening, the opening in the stadium, the parade music, and the postcard music will all feature songs and artists from this vibrant community of talented artists. The video being broadcast and accompanying the music was produced in association with the University of Rouen Media Studies and Production department, as part of a scheme to allow students access to high quality productions and help them pick up the skills that they need, as well as part of the SRNP scheme to ensure that the contest was have positive long term consequences, a key part of its general mandate and especially emphasised in the funding agreement reached with the Federal Government for the contest. Worry not, however, for this does not mean it is going to be first year media studies standard, but rather they were guided and supported by the production team to pick up "vital workplace skills".
In any case, what had those skills been put towards? Much like for Amiens and Le Havre, this opening clip was to be about showing off Rouen as a city, as well as the surrounding area and its place within the country; in the case of Rouen, the Seine would be especially important, as the great large river that travels through the country, through the city, and out to sea, but also inland to France and Paris, ever an influence, even if one treated with some caution. Indeed, the opening was one of the sun rising over the Seine, the light jumping about as the river softly rippled, the shipping port - a nod to the city's important industrial past and present which would be showcased and embraced rather than hidden away. Otherwise, we get a whistlestop tour of the city's many delights, from architectural wonders like Rouen Cathedral - presented in both its physical form and via the Monet set of paintings - and its butter tower (including a wonderful shot of the bishop stood in the middle of the Choir surround by the choir as though they were some sort of posse), to representations of its literary and artistic culture, including the house of Gustave Flaubert (most famous for the novel Madame Bovary), and its more modern pursuits, as reflected in the night life and the electronic music scene itself - indeed, sections of this opening read as an excuse for the production team to go to a rave, but we'll gloss over that fact - but also ordinary life, people going about this business, in juxtaposition with the beautiful surroundings. Also appearing at random points are various discs with different wave patterns like the one in the logo - this of course is intentional. We thus also track the journey of these, until the final closing shots, brought back over the Seine and the city at night, with lights twinkling and reaching out into the dark night sky. One of the discs now appeared, spinning and zooming out until it was full sized, directly in the centre of the screen and with the same pattern as that of the logo, albeit moving about a bit as its actually a properly done graphic, not a still. The background then changed, such that the screen ultimately was filled with the logo of the contest for a few moments, before this faded away to give a shot from inside the arena, and so the next part of the opening was soon to begin...
tune
[WIP]
As the opening act came to an end, the logo ident briefly played to a little time to allow for ASR to begin moving off the stage and for the hostess for the evening, Marie de l'Abre, to finally come onto the stage. She would not be on the main stage itself, but rather on some of the side "panneling" beyond the greenroom area, where the puny acts themselves are not allowed to go, Marie's kingdom. As has happened last time in Amiens, Marie would mostly be speaking in French, although she would provide some English in this opening section. This is due to a provision of Normand broadcasting law defending the use of Normand French and requiring it form the majority of language used - though some dispensations have been more to account for the acts and need to clarify information for WHF. In any case, time to see what she had to say...
"Madames et Messieurs, tout le monde, bienvenue au Stade Métropole de Rouen, qui est d'habitude le domicile des meilleurs talents Normands, et ce soir du soixante et unième Festival International de la Chanson, qui est diffusé en live à des millions dans le multiverse!"
The crowd in the Stade unsurprisingly cheered rather loudly as Marie opened the show, indeed barely letting her get a word in edgeways, especially after she namechecked the contest itself. She gave the sort of look that a disappointed teacher might give a class of rowdy students - a signature look of hers she had cultivated over the years - and after a brief burst of laughter the crowd died down a little, and she was free to say the same thing again but in English.
"Mes apologies for my Franch, everyone else. Ladies and gentlemen, everyone, welcome to the Metropolitan Arena in Rouen, which is normally home to the best of Normand talent, and tonight the 61st World Hit Festival, which is being broadcast live to millions of people across the multiverse!"
Again, there was more cheering, in fact louder this time, perhaps the non-Normands in the crowd being appreciative for her efforts, even with the slight hiccough. And the applause went on. And on. Marie gave the look again, this time even having to raise her finger. The crowd slowly simmered down again, and, after briefly laughing to herself, she turned first to the audience and said...
"Vous etes si prévisibles, vous le savez?"
You are so predictable, you know?
Before turning back around to the cameras with rather a large grin on her face, before continuing...
"Nous sommes fiers de faire bon acceuil aux 13 autres pays pour ce festival ici, aux côtés de notre très chere Sophie Muret qui chantera pour les Deux Républiques. Vous recontrerez les artistes bientôt, mais pour l'instant, le nouveau superviseur de FIT, Christine Périault! Bonsoir Madame Superviseur, comment trouvez-vous le nouvel emploi?"
We are proud to welcome 13 other countries for this competition, alongside our very own Sophie Muret who will sing for the Two Republics [Normandy and Picardy]. You will meet the artists soon, but for now, here's the new overseer of the WHF, Christine Périault! Good evening Madame Overseer, how are you finding your new job?
For whatever reason, there was to be no repeating of any of this section in English, likely just for shits and giggles and to confuse the foreign audience, but also as it is quite possible they wouldn't really care about the new WHF overseer being introduced. Indeed, this may have been met with groans - with a nice random (albeit mercifully short) interview, the Normand style was making itself known - so better to have people be confused than angry. Of course the commentators could explain things, but imagine that happening. Anyway, it was time for Christine, sitting in her desk towards the back of the arena, to respond...
"Bonsoir Marie, bonsoir tout le monde. Je suis très fière à occuper le poste de superviseur, et encore une fois, je veux remercier mon prédécesseur au poste, M. Guy Autriche. Mais maintenant, les courants nous ont entraîné à Rouen, la capitale des Deux Républiques, et je suis certaine que c'est festival sera génial. Allons-y!"
Good evening Marie, good evening everyone. I am very proud to hold the host of overseer, and once again, I would like to thank my predecessor in the post, Mr Guy Autriche. But now, the currents have carried us to Rouen, the capital of our two republics, and I am certain it will be a great show. Take it away!
Well that was nice and painless, or relatively so. It was clear that Christine was not quite used to the cameras, which was to a certain extent rather cute, but pretty much out of pity. Anyway, the show moved ever onwards, and now it was time for Marie to waste even more of the time by introducing a pair of special guests...
"Nous sommes aussi rejoints par deux invités spéciaux ce soir, les gagnantes du dernier concours, Marianne Vidal et Anne-Marie Paquet, qui présentera le trophée à la fin de spectacle"
There was an almost deafening roar in the arena as the cameras turned to show Anne-Marie and Marianne at their place in the crowd (albeit with a circle made around them for this moment - and one wonders at which point they'll skulk off to the VIP lounger), which being a mostly Normand crowd went absolutely ballistic. Also shown was the trophy for the Grand Prix, a design by local Rouennais designer Guillaume Rochet. Once the crowd finally died down - and there was no attempt to control them this time - Marie again repeated the same thing in English.
"We are also joined by two special guests this evening, the winners of the last contest, Marianne Vidal and Anne-Marie Paquet, who will present the trophy at the end of the show"
More cheering naturally followed
"Mais maintenant, sans plus attendre, il est temps que vous rencontrez les artistes qui tenteront de réclamer le grand prix. Voilà, les interprètes!
"But now, without any further wait, it is time you met the artists you will seek to claim the Grand Prix. Here they are, the performers!"
And so the parade of nations began...