THE closing ceremony for the Commonwealth Games might have celebrity status in the form of Kylie, but it will also be inspired by a "typical night out in Glasgow", the creative director said yesterday.
David Zolkwer said the event, which will take place at Hampden Park tonight, will feature a tribute to the film Gregory's Girl, a mass cast smooch and "one or two surprises" in terms of names which haven't been announced yet.
Kylie Minogue, Lulu and Deacon Blue will be among those taking to the stage and performing alongside more than 2000 volunteers. The show, called All Back To Ours, will be presented in the form of a mini-music festival.
Zolkwer said: "We are holding the party at Hampden, but it is really like we've inviting the world into our front room. I think the last 11 days of sport was the actual party. This is the bit where someone says, 'We don't want this to end, let's all go back to our house and carry on'.
"It is essentially going to be a great send-off to people, the athletes and the visitors."
He said there would be a simple song-by-song narrative which was inspired by a "typical night out in Glasgow".
While the opening ceremony featured John's Barrowman's gay kiss, Zolkwer said there would be romance this evening in the form of a "bit of a mass cast smooch". He added: "You will also see thousands of people pay tribute to my favourite scene from the film Gregory's Girl, when the two young lovers are lying on their backs dancing."
He refused to be drawn on whether any of the popular elements of the opening ceremony, such as the Scottie dogs, would be making a reappearance, but said: "We are not looking to repeat the opening ceremony but look forward."
Zolkwer said the closing event would also include ceremonial elements, but the aim was to have "all the pomp without ever getting pompous about it".
And responding to a question at yesterday's press briefing, he said there has been no influence on the ceremony from First Minister Alex Salmond ahead of the independence referendum on September 18.
Unfortunately, the curtain looks set to come down in rather damp conditions as more rain is forecast for the final day.
Yesterday, it was announced bowler Alex "Tattie" Marshall will be Scotland's flag bearer for tonight's closing ceremony. Marshall, 47, from Tranent, who won two gold medals at the Games, revealed that appearing at Hampden fulfilled a childhood ambition, as he was a talented goalkeeper as a teenager.
"To win two gold medals was special but to be told that you are carrying the flag for the closing ceremony is the highlight of my career," said Marshall, a 19-time world champion, who has been dubbed "the Lionel Messi of bowls" after the world famous footballer.
"There was near enough a tear in my eye when I was asked. I didn't have to think about it for very long."
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