SYDMOB #19 Sunday, 11th July 2004 - The Bells - Approx participant count: 40 +
Emailed Instructions
SYDMOB #19
On the Morning of Sunday 11th July, you should have already
synchronized your watch to the time of the Telstra clock, available by calling
1194
*By 10:50 am you should be in Sydney CBD, make your way to Hyde Park
*By 10:55 am you should be making your way to the corner of Elizabeth and Park
Streets (Diagonally opposite Star Bucks)
*The Mob Rep will be only present between 11:00am and 11:45 pm
Look for an individual who is wearing a Blue Cap, Sunglasses and holding a
silver folder, once found, approach and say "For whom the Bells Toll…”, the
Rep will then hand your instruction to you, move away and read them.
Script Instructions
SYDMOB #19
Location - CBD - Town Hall Steps
By 11:55 you will have made your way to the vicinity of the town hall steps.
For this exercise we will take our cue from the Town Hall Clock.
By 11.59 you will be casually sitting on the steps of the town hall.
You are Quasimodo, the Hunchback of Notre Dame, though this will not become
apparent till the Town Hall clock begins its "Music". As soon as the clock
starts, rise to your feet wailing "Ahh!! The Bells! The Bells!". (Don't forget
your Hunch back) Make comical but horror struck faces as you limp and shuffle
down the steps to the street level. Exaggerate your Hunch back and limp.
Crouch over, flipping your arms about.
Look up at the clock wailing "The Bells, The Bells!" Cover your ears from time
to time. Remember, our aim here is comedy rather than to terrify the passing
public. It should be clear you are not having some sort of seizure. Feel free
to interact with other mobbers, by forming small wailing clumps of Hunchbacks.
Or wander in aimless solo circles. We want passers by to hear us saying "The
Bells" so keep that up almost continuously.
When the final chime of 12 strikes, (Keep count in your head) straighten up,
Cheer Hooray! Hooray! Hooray! Then disperse.
Who said Murphy's law was not real !
It was a pretty good turn up today, considering the inclement weather. Yes, the drought did chose this moment in time to relent, and bequeath a little moisture on the land. *sigh*. Good to get the rain, but could it not go somewhere more useful than the CBD? Despite the grey skies, we had a fairly good turn up, with around seventy five sets of instructions handed out. It is so good to see the familiar faces show up to each event. (May your deity bless you, fellow eccentrics.) It is also a blast to see all the new faces, and just fabulous when we get feed back from you guys.
So, we had handed out instructions, and we made our way to the Town Hall. We had a moment of panic as we missed a light change, which seemed interminable, but still managed to join the group huddling in the foyer sheltering from the rain. So there we waited for the clock to strike noon, and waited, and waited.
It was around this time Tempest and myself had that feeling that maybe something was not going our way (".....now I think of it I can't remember the clock toll at 11:15, or 11:30 or even 11:45......"), then stepping back into the drizzle and looking up at the clock tower only to see the clock face boasting it was 12:02. Murphy's law rules, as always. DAMMIT! The clock did not strike! How annoying is the Town Hall clock?! It threw the timing of the first flashmob out, by striking too quickly, and this one. Well. What can be said? *sigh*
DOH!!!!
So, there we were, all wondering what the hell to do. A rapid executive decision was made, and the group was addressed by Tempest, who told them, something along the lines of, "What the hell, let's go. It will be "No Bells" or whatever, when the cap gets removed, disperse." Yes, succinct as usual. The funniest part of that little speech, is that we are certain there were also just a few bystanders seeking shelter. Who knows what the hell these people made of some lunatic in a blue cap coming up and telling them "Okay, this is the plan." Pretty funny in itself.
The event went well, as we all just threw ourselves into the hilarity of it, and limped and stumbled and flailed our way down the stairs. The interaction between the mobbers was a joy, as the photos will show. The traffic had stopped for the lights as we were all flailing about, and the startled looks on the passengers faces as we cavorted was simply worth the effort. I do wonder what the hell people think they are seeing when we mob.
Anyway. Jolly well done Sydney! You came out in the rain, and had a ball.
We will flash again in two weeks, on Saturday the 24th of July. Spread the word, this one will be great if we can get the numbers up. It will more than likely be a two part flashmob, if Tempest and Mal and I can agree on something!
Oh, by the way, there may be pics and a little story on this flashmob in the "Spike" column in the Sydney Morning Herald
tomorrow (Monday 12th July) Look out for it, you may see yourself !
And a big thanks to Geoff Fraser, for we have some great pics of very happy faces from today event
MOB IMAGES
Did you hear any bells ?.......
The hunchbacks start to arrive....
And more come down from the bell tower
Beauty? Or the beast? Arrgh! The Bells!.....
We make our way to the bottom of the stairs....
No Bells....No Bells...... ?
Has anyone seen the bells ?.......
Is that a bell on the ground over there ?
Hunchback hug !
VIDEO FOOTAGE (and other media)
In the near future we may have some video footage and/or audio for you too
take a look at...stay tuned.....
As always, any other footage or photos people wish to contribute is more then
welcome.