My personal discovery of Russell came about 3 years ago by way of HELLO! Magazine.. A wonderful tenor from Salford, from Northern England with an inspiring rags to riches story. In essence a Yobo (complete with Man U Fan Club Card) with undiscovered talent who sings like an angel. Wow! (Of course, I then romanced the idea of possessing some previously undiscovered talent, that I myself don't even know about.) Anyway, proceeded diligently like a good little fan, to collect all his albums. Thank god, only 3.
To cut a long story short, about a month ago, I eavesdropped on my boss's telephone conversation "Yes, I accept the Russell Watson Concert Invitation..." WHAT! Ole Russell coming????? After an internet search, during office hours, BINGO! It's a YTL dooda and IT's FREE. The only problem was that for us, unconnected lowly personnel, we have to enter a ballot to grab a pair of tickets. So all my chums got bombarded with requests to enter a ballot and I evaded all questions of "who is he?" (The theory being that if they knew, they might want their tickets after all and where does that leave ME?) Sadly, no ticket transpired and desperation set in... MSN advertising and two days before the concert *ding!* my very own twisted fairy appears with 2 magic tickets!
To cut a long story short, about a month ago, I eavesdropped on my boss's telephone conversation "Yes, I accept the Russell Watson Concert Invitation..." WHAT! Ole Russell coming????? After an internet search, during office hours, BINGO! It's a YTL dooda and IT's FREE. The only problem was that for us, unconnected lowly personnel, we have to enter a ballot to grab a pair of tickets. So all my chums got bombarded with requests to enter a ballot and I evaded all questions of "who is he?" (The theory being that if they knew, they might want their tickets after all and where does that leave ME?) Sadly, no ticket transpired and desperation set in... MSN advertising and two days before the concert *ding!* my very own twisted fairy appears with 2 magic tickets!
Now twisted fairy is a freelance journalist (synonymous to discipline select reporter) and was roped in by the concert's PR company to pose as an interviewer as the original one had dropped out and they didn't want to lose face. Twisted fairy proceeded in proclaiming how bored she would be having to sit through a tedious concert and Yay!.. This was Kismet! My destiny! Nonchalantly, I gallantly sacrificed myself to be subjected to dire boredom...
As the day approached excitement grew and my usual unflappable self became animated with squeals of glee and soon was all dolled up (complete with fushia shawl and earrings) and was driving into the Sentral car park, Brickfields.
As the day approached excitement grew and my usual unflappable self became animated with squeals of glee and soon was all dolled up (complete with fushia shawl and earrings) and was driving into the Sentral car park, Brickfields.
It's amazing how these people do things. It was just soo glam! The guests, numbering 6000 persons, were to park their cars (for free), hop onto a train (specially chartered with it's own platform) to Sentul and board coaches to take us all to KLPAC. Police were even engaged to halt all traffic in favour of the huge line of buses, thus providing us with a smooth transit hop!
The grounds of KLPAC was entirely transformed into one humungous garden party. Large sprawling tents, filled with a buffet dinner, drinks, plasma screens and glittering lights; some military marching band even paraded all over the place in smart white uniforms. Malaysians have very wide interpretations of the word FORMAL. In my understanding, it's penguin suits, flowing dinner dresses with a bit of bling bling (too much would have been entirely distasteful). Still I sighted mini-skirts, short sleeved shirts - Plebs! Commoners! I would say the only really unglam part was the rows of porta-loos of which one had to queue up for, and how ladies with glittering evening gowns were supposed to managed that I have really no idea. Maybe the dress code should have been: FORMAL - but porta-loo friendly.
GL (my partner in crime) and I at the buffet tent..Oh how I love my twisted fairy....as she is a "reporter" she was of course accorded with press tickets which meant 4th row from the front Centerstage! This meant that even I was in front of the Royal and distinguished guests (Pakla, Agong all dolled up too!)
Well what to say about the concert. In short - FAB! Ole Russ was great, the sound system totally wondrous (from where I was sitting anyway) and favorite songs were sung. Each seat had their own goody bag consisting of the souvenir program book, YTL bottled water, postcards et alia freebies and even our own Raincoats! Free flow of wines during intermission (cheap plonk being better than no plonk) Well, we did have to site through a 20 min speech by Tan Sri on global history for the past 50 years, citing everything from Kennedy, Churchill, Hitler to Peristroika and Gorbi which ended with a great big bible thump and GOD BLESS ME! Zzzzzz! The whole shebang ended with a magnificent fireworks display - about RM300,000 burnt up in a full 15 min extravaganza.
It was truly a night to remember and I loved it and floated all the way home, via coach, coach train... etc. Thank you my wonderful twisted fairy!
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