|
The rehearsals days proved to be very long - no long lie. The hour-long bus drive to and from Edinburgh each day proved to be a time to catch-up on sleep. On arriving at Redford the first thing we were aware of was the massive amount of pipers, drummers and military bandsmen but thanks to our yellow t-shirts we were not overlooked. On the afternoon of the performance, we managed to have a trip out of school to go Ten Pin Bowling in Stirling. There are some very good dancers that took part in the Royal Tribute but to find more than 5 that were any good at bowling was a very hard task. After a few games and a lot of laughs it was time to get serious again - it was time for the real performance.
Tensions rose slowly, as we got closer to Edinburgh Castle. We were allotted a room in Cannonball House, as a waiting area, which we hod to share with the regular army recruits, who were there to sell the glossy programme brochure (standing room only). We were aware of the hundreds of people making their way up the Royal Mile to the castle which didn't do much good for my, or anyone else's,
|
stomachs and, as the time for the performance got closer, visits to the toilet increased tenfold. It was time! We were about to conclude the months of training with the performance of a lifetime on the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle.
We were formed up ready to go on and, as we marched out to take our positions with the
pipe band ploying in the background, only now could I appreciate how many people were actually there - eight thousand plus! I just wanted to look around and take it all in but, as any disciplined Victorian would, I stood still taking only a short glance out of the corner of my eye. All of a sudden, I felt myself dancing, the lights flashed hypnotically from all sides as the crowd clapped and stamped. What a rush! Eight thousand people all clapping as you and the rest of the team dance their hearts out to what was a riveting athletic routine. At the end we stood at attention, waiting for the Drum major to march us off. The crowd erupted - what a great feeling having eight thousand people cheering at the display you have slaved away at for months.
|
But we were not finished yet; we still had the Finale to get through. It had become a matter of pride that our drill had to be better than the Honour Guard.
We were all lined up behind the massed bands and at the signal we marched through the band and succeeded in halting at the exact place, although it did seem that we stood at attention for a very long time. We gave first a Royal salute and then three cheers and then at lost it was time to march off the Esplanade, down the High Street. It was over!
The Royal Tribute was a fantastic experience for all the dancers who took part. Our performance would not have been possible without a lot of hard graft and support from the School Highland Dancing Instructor Mrs MacDonald. A big thank you to her for all her efforts. Also a thank you is due to Mr and Mrs Tomkins, Sister and Darren Robertson who staffed the school and took good care of us during our week back.
Nick Burge S6
NEXT PAGE
|
