Updated: 19 May 2021, 18:56
SINGER Lesley Roy has spoken of her heartache after a technical glitch overshadowed her Eurovision performance.
The Balbriggan woman was left waiting five minutes before she could perform Irish entry Maps in Tuesday’s semi-final due to a fault with cameras.
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The singer said she was a little confused as to why a technical glitch had hampered the performanceCredit: EPA
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Lesley had been due to sing for Ireland in 2020 before the contest was cancelled due to Covid
She said: “I’m gutted and still a little confused as to what happened on the production side with cameras breaking before we started but I’m still extremely grateful for having represented my country, family and LGBT community.”
Roy, who is 34, did her best to add to the pageantry with an elaborate âpaper worldâ set conceived by the Swedish designer (and Eurovision veteran) Fredrik Rydman. It certainly stood out, although the results were arguably more CBeebies than CBGBs.
The crowd applauded â yet did not appear quite bowled over. And Twitter was divided, with some on social media feeling Ireland was trying too hard. Irelandâs big moment was also silly rather than camp â and one sensed this distinction mattered a great deal to the Eurovision audience.
If anything the frippery did a disservice to Roy, who was accompanied to Rotterdam by her wife, Lauren. The performance came on in literal leaps and bounds, as the extraneous cleverness was finally dispensed with and the singer, in a dark-green jumpsuit, dashed to the edge of the stage, belting out the chorus. Roy was keen, but perhaps a calmer presentation would have given Maps an opportunity to shine.
Eurovision organisers have released the first pictures of this year’s stage as it finished construction in the Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam this week.
Despite the contest not being broadcast until mid-May, organisers engage in weeks of technical rehearsals with the stage prior to performers arriving to rehearse.
For the first time, the artists’ greenroom will be in front of the stage due to the limit on how many audience members can attend. Organisers are hoping to allow around 3,500 fans to attend.
The 2021 Eurovision stage in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Pic: EBU
Ireland’s Lesley Roy has been engaged in intense rehearsals for her song ‘Maps’, which has proved hugely popular with fans across the continent.
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Lesley Roy (Image: Ruth Medjber / ruthlessimagery.com)
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