Our king charles

[Des Taff Jenkins]

I didn't see Queen Elisabeth's coronation, but was on the Wave Baron when we escorted the Gothic from Gibraltar as far as Colombo when she went on her first trip to Australia, we were headed for oiling duties off Korea, and points East.
Des

[happy daze john in oz]

Sat in front of a 14 inch black and white TV to see it all, and it never stopped raining.
Then in 1977, silver jubilee, in Strood near the Medway we set our pub for the day, and it rained all day.
Only flag we could get hold of to fly was a White ensign brought in by one of the customers who worked in the Naval shipyard, still got it today.

[happy daze john in oz]

In the 1963 version there was in the congregation the Queen Salote of Tonga, an extremely large lady, along side her in the carriage a man of diminutive stature.
One commentator questioned, 'Who is the man beside the Queen of Tonga'
Possibly her lunch was the reply.

[Johnny Kieran]

We hired a telly for the week, our first telly. Next door came in to watch it all with us. I think I just slept on the floor after a while. At least they only showed the main bits, and not all the crap that goes with it these days, with all the interviewing and other stuff. I think I was quite impressed with the procession and coronation though, kind of sticks in your mind. Not as good as Muffin the Mule though.

[Keith Tindell]

What a spectacle that was today, no one can match us with a show like that. Putin , eat your bleeding heart out.

[vic mcclymont]

Very true Keith.
Vic

[happy daze john in oz]

It was June 2^nd 1953 when as a young 10 year old I satbefore a black and white 14 inch TV and watched in awe as the processtook place in the rain. Still clear in my mind, I now compare thecurrent version to it.


It has often beensaid on many an occasion that a remake is never as good as theoriginal, is this the case with the new production?


Way back in 1953 theshow being the result of unexpected events, it had been talked of butit came as a shock to many. But it came at a time when majorproductions were in vogue, the public needed something big in theirlives and this suited the purpose then.


Times have moved onsince then and this is obvious in the new version, while theproducers and director have attempted to keep it in a similar veinthere are a number of new concepts.
Styles of manyaspects of daily life have changed but the producers have attemptedto encompass such in clothing, transport and other items of moderntimes.


The original versionhad a young lady as lead role, charismatic, charming and extremelypopular.


The producers have replaced her in this version with an older rather staid and dogmaticmale.


No expense has beenspared to ensure enough extras were set along the route to the mainscene, though they have changed the coach from one of many years useto that of a new one from Australia, maintaining the original route.
This may not sitwell with older persons who stand with tradition, they may not bewell pleased with this change.


But no matter thoseinvolved in the road ride obviously enjoyed the spectacle showingtheir intent by the cheers offered as the coach passed by. Manysleeping overnight by the road side in order to gain the best view asthe coach passed by.
Many servicepersonnel lined the main route along with 30,000 members of theMetropolitan Police. Crims will no doubt have a free ride in manyparts of the country Saturday.


Producers haveretained the musical score in most parts from that of the 53 version,with a few changes, many of which the viewer will not be familiarwith. There are not that many who will recall the original versionfrom over 70 years ago.
They have evenmanaged to recreate the 53 version by organising rain for it.
Inside the settingfor the main event many gathered from other sets across the globe,all part of a multi nation cast. Many holding regular parts in othernations similar major events. All well versed in such performancesand all acted their parts as to the theme of the performance. Theplacing of some not in traditional settings, result of not being intotal favour with the director or the producers.

But this part of theperformance went well, the pomp and ceremony in total keeping withthe original script used in the 53 version, with the supporting castplaying their parts to perfection in most instances.
The director did anexcellent job at this juncture, not an easy task given so manylooking in, one mistake would bring chaos to the set.


The final act on thebalcony was in many ways a reflection of 53, but with a somewhatreduced number on display, and time there reduced.


Overall an excellentattempt to reproduce the 53 version with a few minor changes to theplot, not enough to distract from the story line, but for the puristsmaybe not what they had anticipated.
Worthy of maybe 9out of 10 for effort and similar for following the original script.


There is now talk ofa third episode in a few years time, obviously the producers seemerit in such shows, and of course for the advertisers it is a goldmine.

[Ivan Cloherty]

I watched with friends, some of whom needed the subtitles on, so be it, but who ever was doing the subtitles needed a bit more education as they didn't know the difference twixt there and their. However there is going to be one really pizzed-off regiment when they were described as the 'Red Berries' and not 'Red Berets'

[Doc Vernon]

Well said John That was a good rendition of what took place, you are always (Well not always LOL) good with your writeups on certain things and events!

As said in 1953 we had no Tele in South Africa so we had to do with the Screening at the Local Bioscope, the day after to go down and watch, but must say it was great then too!

A fine show as said and thank goodness these days we have good Television, that can be seen from so far away! How times change!

God Save the King!!

[Colin Wood]

I was 1 for king George, in Parliament square with a cohort of King Ted's pre sea scholars for Elizabeth11. Loved last nights event. Dressed ship and spent 8.5 hours on tv, supplied by Fox sports rural for free. Worth every second.
Disgusted with NSW gov not lighting the opera house to save money and climate. Every other tin pot event gets this treatment.