Saturday 28 April 2012

Small last minute changes

They were very clear what they wanted.
Time to say goodbye (a popular choice) as the curtains closed.

So I had it all planned - ask everyone to stand, press the button for the music. Read the committal words over the strings at the beginning, practiced and timed like the DJ I once dreamed of being, let the Italian begin and then hit the button for the curtains just as Ms Brightman starts with the chorus.

It was ready.

I was slick.

The FD shook my hand just before the service and said "Oh, slight change of plan. We're keeping the curtains open".

I smiled and said "okay, fine" - what else could I do?

Still read the words over the intro, though - save the poor congregation standing for too long.

4 comments:

gloriamundi said...

See, this is why we love FD like him, isn't it XP? So much sensitivity towards what makes a good, well-planned funeral ceremony.
Keep spinning those Wheels of Steel, gal, there was nothing else to be done!

X. Piry said...

Thanks Gloria,

It was a tiny thing, but just made me smile after the time I'd taken over such a small detail.

That's the way it goes, huh?

Charles Cowling said...

Ha! Only goes to show how leaving the curtains open can rob a funeral of a marvellous touch of theatre.

At least you got to read over the strings. Bet that made a few soines tingle.

Charles Cowling said...

Spines, spines!