Margaret Berger – Norwegian Eurovision 2013 Representative. Photograph courtesy of Sander Hesterman (EBU) /Eurovision.tv

Norway’s Eurovision Representative for 2013 – Margaret Berger – has taken to the stage for her first rehearsal here in Malmo. There is much anticipation for her performance here in the hall as a lot of the Press have congregated to watch her perform.

The staging is very similar to that at the Norwegian National Final where Margaret is dressed in a long white figure hugging dress but gone are the buckles and they are replaced by crystals of varying sizes and colours on the shoulders and down along the side panels of the dress. A long slit is to the front of the dress and is visually sensual.

On stage Margaret is joined by 3 female backing singers dressed in black tight fitted dresses – who are positioned towards the back of the stage are not illuminated fully – so you get more of a silhouette effect. The male drummer from the Norwegian final is again a strong focal point on the stage.

The overall lighting for the performance is a dark blue. The backdrop is a mixture of radio frequency imagery and bold geometric shapes. These change to match the verse/chorus changes. Gone is the black and white feature from the Norwegian final. Instead we have some very good use of 360 degree camera angles that Margaret uses to great impact. She has an intensity in her eyes that she uses when she hits her camera shots every time.

Coming after Hungary in the running order, Norway is looking even stronger. This is sensual, edgy and going straight to the final. Would I change anything about the performance – no not at all. Why mess with perfection.

Author/Website co-founder and Editor in Chief Garrett Mulhall

Source – Eurovision Ireland