The setting was sublime. Site of both the pre­show and public show, the Piazza Dante was eerily picturesque... A spacious old-world square charged with 21st century anticipation... Past pageantry merging with modern scaffolding, staging, sound and lighting...

Located in the heart of Verona's historical section with an immense statue of its solemn namesake presiding in the center, the cobblestoned square was surrounded by ornate buildings, majestic clock towers, inlaid carvings and medieval statuary. Symbolizing the spirit of the occasion, Dante's pensive posture was irreverently con­tradicted by a bouquet of helium balloons imp­ishly tied to his outstretched hand.

True to form, the scheduled 4 p.m. dress rehearsal was endlessly postponed and finally abandoned entirely by about 8 p.m. By the time the acts got a chance to spot-test the lights there were already 3,000 spectators gathered, and by show time that number had swelled to about 5,000 (half of whom were conventioneers).

In an interesting blend of verbal and visual expressiveness, Lee Hayes (a transplanted American who currently resides in Amsterdam), agreed to 'compere' (emcee) the show with Kevin Brooking (another American expatriate).

Good evening," Hayes began, first in Italian, then English, German and French.  Meanwhile, despite the considerable humidity, Brooking stood shivering slightly at the foot of the stage, ludicrously attired in a huge winter coat, Cossack hat and heavy muffler. Peering shyly with his owl-like visage, Brooking slowly responded to the crowd's hushed astonishment by rubbing his hands and hugging his arms, knees trembling as if he were chilled to the bone. His expression implored, "Please help me get warm! "Incredulity swiftly gave way to happy recognition and the crowd en masse began to clap. Reacting to the applause like an Arctic adventurer who just lit a fire, Brooking stepped back and held up his palms as if to let the warmth penetrate his numbness. Basking in the glow, he loosened his muffler, then reacted with shock when smoke began rising from his coat. With a hilarious expression of panic, he tore off his Cossack hat and began beating his coat, creating increasing billows of smoke. Then in swift succession there was a mock explosion, a wave of laughter from the audience and an eloquent exit. Without a word every thing a performer could ever hope for from an audience had been convincingly communicated and firmly established.