by Julie Mercik
Let us embark on the magical tale of The Stoop and the Tattoo. One night, three girls were waiting on the stoop in front of their flat because none of them had a key and everyone else had not returned from Blockbuster. Suddenly, a couple passed by the stoop and said, “Do you want to go to the Tattoo?” The three girls were astonished! The Military Tattoo was the event of the year and tickets were easily 65 pounds! The couple explained that their friend was sick so they had four extra tickets to give away. The girls accepted the free tickets in disbelief and thanked the couple for their generosity. But before the woman left, she made the girls promise that they would in fact use the tickets and not let them fall into disuse. The girls promised, grabbed the other girls that had just arrived on the stoop (with the key) and they power-walked to Edinburgh Castle.
They arrived just as the Tattoo was starting and took their seats. (Which were very good: only four rows up from the floor and right by the castle.) None of the girls were prepared for the spectacle that was to follow. The voice of the announcer boomed into the stadium from the many speakers and a low rumble seemed to be coming from the castle gate. Suddenly, an entire regiment of pipers and drummers appeared in full, traditional regalia and marched into the area. Lights, projection on the castle walls, and the over-all story told by the announcer all coordinated into an astounding, full-sensory experience. The girls clapped and cheered at the grandeur and national pride that the regiments evoked.
As their performance came to a close, the girls were surprised to learn that the tattoo had only just begun. Other performers from Korea, England, Mexico, New Zealand, and Mongolia all put on spectacular displays in the stadium. Then, for the grand finally, all of the performers re-entered the arena and the puppet from War Horse walked through the arena. The “horse” looked as though it was completely alive and interacted with his handler and the other performers. Then the audience was invited to join in for the last song. The lyrics to Auld Lang Syne were projected onto the castle and as the entire stadium held hands and sang, the girls felt like true Scotsmen, part of an ancient, ancient culture and tradition.
Let us embark on the magical tale of The Stoop and the Tattoo. One night, three girls were waiting on the stoop in front of their flat because none of them had a key and everyone else had not returned from Blockbuster. Suddenly, a couple passed by the stoop and said, “Do you want to go to the Tattoo?” The three girls were astonished! The Military Tattoo was the event of the year and tickets were easily 65 pounds! The couple explained that their friend was sick so they had four extra tickets to give away. The girls accepted the free tickets in disbelief and thanked the couple for their generosity. But before the woman left, she made the girls promise that they would in fact use the tickets and not let them fall into disuse. The girls promised, grabbed the other girls that had just arrived on the stoop (with the key) and they power-walked to Edinburgh Castle.
They arrived just as the Tattoo was starting and took their seats. (Which were very good: only four rows up from the floor and right by the castle.) None of the girls were prepared for the spectacle that was to follow. The voice of the announcer boomed into the stadium from the many speakers and a low rumble seemed to be coming from the castle gate. Suddenly, an entire regiment of pipers and drummers appeared in full, traditional regalia and marched into the area. Lights, projection on the castle walls, and the over-all story told by the announcer all coordinated into an astounding, full-sensory experience. The girls clapped and cheered at the grandeur and national pride that the regiments evoked.
As their performance came to a close, the girls were surprised to learn that the tattoo had only just begun. Other performers from Korea, England, Mexico, New Zealand, and Mongolia all put on spectacular displays in the stadium. Then, for the grand finally, all of the performers re-entered the arena and the puppet from War Horse walked through the arena. The “horse” looked as though it was completely alive and interacted with his handler and the other performers. Then the audience was invited to join in for the last song. The lyrics to Auld Lang Syne were projected onto the castle and as the entire stadium held hands and sang, the girls felt like true Scotsmen, part of an ancient, ancient culture and tradition.
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