Games ceremonies showed originality but needed more energy

I’ve been collecting comments on Friday night’s opening ceremonies for the Western Canada Summer Games, and the consensus is that they deserve good marks for effort, and not-so-good for sustainability — that is, they were too much of the same.

The First Nations theme, a popular one for such events locally, was carried off in a creative treatment using shadow dancers and graphics on a large sheet, and it was entertaining but overly long, largely repeating itself after each speech from a dignitary. And, depending on where you were sitting, the curtains blocked your view of the action on stage.

The plus was that it broke up the speeches, which can easily become tedious if followed one after another.

Disappointment of the evening was young singer Kate Morgan, being hyped in these parts as the next big thing. But she was off-key and her band mercifully drowned her out for much of her rendition of her Games song We Were Made For This. It would probably be much better in a different venue.

But the Interior Savings Centre proved no challenge for Peter Collins, who delivered the national anthem with stirring power. Such a voice that man has.

Highlight of the evening? The energy and enthusiasm of the athletes as they paraded into the arena.

Advice, again by consensus: Don’t try so hard to emulate Olympics ceremonies for these events with a grand theme. Instead, put together a high-energy variety show that aims to entertain the athletes and audience

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