Madonna in Hyde Park, London
Even now I remember perfectly when I accidentally switched on my TV and heard this attractive tune of a mixed ABBA song. “Time goes by so slowly…” – a lady in a pink body was singing from the telly. She was amazingly flexible and sensual. I wondered how old the lady was. Probably 26? Or 30? No way, I saw the name of the singer on the screen and that was Madonna. She was almost 50 years old. I was caught up. I know, it sounds quite strange, but I do respect this woman. No matter what they say about her. Even she doesn’t care what they say, which is a very important lesson to learn for everyone. Just live how you feel like doing it. This is your life and you choose your way.
I was at her show in 2008 in Russia and then I understood that I have to see it one more time.
When I was going to the UK, I knew she would be on tour that time.
“London. Hyde Park. 17th of July” – I saw on her website. Well, the tickets have been bought, I’m almost ready to go.
At once I realised that the place for the concert has been chosen utterly wrong. Come on guys, this is England! Are you going to make a show under the sky? The weather is always changing. This is not the best feeling to be wet and cold, I guess.
Any way, I pack my raincoat and head to Hyde Park. It’s 16.30 now and the show starts at 20.00. OMG, What can I see? Hundreds of people are already here, they have been queuing for hours until the gate opens. Crazy people. I do love Madonna, but my legs and health are more precious. I came at 16.30 and I had to stand until 20.00! Its so exhausting. Actually, I’ve never been to any big shows abroad before, that’s why it was quite interesting and amusing to compare our fans and British ones.
Hang on, Hang on… What is this guy carrying in his hand, trying his best not to spill the liquid? Is it water? Quite stifling here, I agree. Of course it’s not, this is… WINE! “In vino vertitas!”. Yes, everybody is drinking around me… they are laughing and having fun. It seems to me everybody has already forgotten the aim of coming in here! What is the point of buying a ticket for 80 pounds for getting drunk? Go to the local pub, it’s cheaper, believe me.
It’s getting dark and the light is switched on. It looks like the beginning of the show. Oh, yes, it is. I’m shivering. Huge screens start working and we can see HER, little and so strong at the same time. Madonna looks amazing. I know, perhaps she has a 70% discount at her nip+tick’s already, but still it is all about her strong will, huge work on herself. Healthy diet, sport…every day. No exceptions! Now I’m thinking about myself…when every evening I plan to do jogging…but in the morning I just switch off my alarm clock and continue sleeping. And for lunch I’m going to have… no, not lettuce, it’s gonna be McDonald’s food of perhaps Twix and apple juice. Disaster.
Coming back to Madonna’s performance I expected the sound to be better. I don’t know why it was like in a local karaoke bar… due to the Park or something else. Any way the show was performed HIGHLY professionally. Dancers, costumes, decorations are perfect. Huge screens, great stage.
Madonna looks quite knackered now. She is singing her famous “Like a Virgin” in a new, unusual slow manner, like a romantic song…or a confession.
“Like a virgin…touched for the very first time…” – her voice is full of pain and regret. She’s falling on the stage and panting for breath.
Now I see her face, her eyes and I’m disappointed a little. Her creation work has become a factory, a race, a way of making money. I can’t see her energy and enthusiasm about all of it. Contracts, money, albums, producers… business and race. Nobody cares for your feelings. But the show must go on.
I can say I was VERY happy to be there, to see her again, to dance…to laugh at all drunk people around me. It was fun.
By Maxim Moroz
I was at her show in 2008 in Russia and then I understood that I have to see it one more time.
When I was going to the UK, I knew she would be on tour that time.
“London. Hyde Park. 17th of July” – I saw on her website. Well, the tickets have been bought, I’m almost ready to go.
At once I realised that the place for the concert has been chosen utterly wrong. Come on guys, this is England! Are you going to make a show under the sky? The weather is always changing. This is not the best feeling to be wet and cold, I guess.
Any way, I pack my raincoat and head to Hyde Park. It’s 16.30 now and the show starts at 20.00. OMG, What can I see? Hundreds of people are already here, they have been queuing for hours until the gate opens. Crazy people. I do love Madonna, but my legs and health are more precious. I came at 16.30 and I had to stand until 20.00! Its so exhausting. Actually, I’ve never been to any big shows abroad before, that’s why it was quite interesting and amusing to compare our fans and British ones.
Hang on, Hang on… What is this guy carrying in his hand, trying his best not to spill the liquid? Is it water? Quite stifling here, I agree. Of course it’s not, this is… WINE! “In vino vertitas!”. Yes, everybody is drinking around me… they are laughing and having fun. It seems to me everybody has already forgotten the aim of coming in here! What is the point of buying a ticket for 80 pounds for getting drunk? Go to the local pub, it’s cheaper, believe me.
It’s getting dark and the light is switched on. It looks like the beginning of the show. Oh, yes, it is. I’m shivering. Huge screens start working and we can see HER, little and so strong at the same time. Madonna looks amazing. I know, perhaps she has a 70% discount at her nip+tick’s already, but still it is all about her strong will, huge work on herself. Healthy diet, sport…every day. No exceptions! Now I’m thinking about myself…when every evening I plan to do jogging…but in the morning I just switch off my alarm clock and continue sleeping. And for lunch I’m going to have… no, not lettuce, it’s gonna be McDonald’s food of perhaps Twix and apple juice. Disaster.
Coming back to Madonna’s performance I expected the sound to be better. I don’t know why it was like in a local karaoke bar… due to the Park or something else. Any way the show was performed HIGHLY professionally. Dancers, costumes, decorations are perfect. Huge screens, great stage.
Madonna looks quite knackered now. She is singing her famous “Like a Virgin” in a new, unusual slow manner, like a romantic song…or a confession.
“Like a virgin…touched for the very first time…” – her voice is full of pain and regret. She’s falling on the stage and panting for breath.
Now I see her face, her eyes and I’m disappointed a little. Her creation work has become a factory, a race, a way of making money. I can’t see her energy and enthusiasm about all of it. Contracts, money, albums, producers… business and race. Nobody cares for your feelings. But the show must go on.
I can say I was VERY happy to be there, to see her again, to dance…to laugh at all drunk people around me. It was fun.
By Maxim Moroz
Grammar corner
Did you notice that most of this story is written in the present tense? Sometimes it's present simple, sometimes it's present continuous. This gives the story a casual, informal feel. Even though the concert happened in the past, speaking about it in the present tense is a useful way of telling a story. It sounds like someone telling a joke, or the plot of a film, or just laughing with their friends in the pub!