(3 Feb 2008) SHOTLIST
1. Wide of the "La Fenice" Opera house with couples attending the ball gathered outside
2. Close of sign reading: (Italian) "La Fenice Opera House"
3. Masked couples in costume entering the ball
4. Wide of foyer inside "La Fenice"
5. Mid of guests at the ball
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Luc Velatier, Guest at the ball from Paris:
"This big party is fascinating. We decide to rent basically the costumes today and we bought the ticket and we find this magical place here. So that is why we are here tonight."
7. Guests walking up the stairs with champagne glasses to the main hall at the ball
8. Mid of guests in costume drinking champagne
9. Female guests seated
10. SOUNDBITE (Italian) Lucia Zavagli Ricciardelli, Guest at the ball from Venice:
"Those of us who are true Venetians have lots of fun. We will never stop coming."
11. Wide of main hall inside opera house
12. Various of couples dancing in costume
13. SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Shriver, guest at the ball from New York:
"You don't think I got dressed up like this so nobody would take a photograph do you. It is the most delightful fantasy for an adult in the world."
14. Medium of costumed guests standing in the King's box
15. Various of guests at ball
16. SOUNDBITE (Italian) Matteo Corvino, Cavalchina show director:
"This evening, the Cavalchina began again last year after many years of oblivion, and it was a huge success in the 17th century, just like it is tonight. People come in costumes as they wish, not necessarily 1800, but it is from that period."
17. Pan of stage
18. Various of guests watching
19. Various of people on stage
20. Wide of main hall
STORYLINE
Elegant party-goers in a dazzling array of costumes attended Venice's "La Fenice" opera house on Saturday night for one of the most eagerly-awaited events on the Carnevale calendar, the "Cavalchina" ball.
Dressed in elaborate costumes many choose to wear masks to give the ball a masquerade feel at the opera house which was built in 1792.
"La Fenice" has been rebuilt a couple of times since then restored to its original style, after fires severely damaged the historic building in 1886 and 1996.
A few hundred guests attended the ball which attracted party-goers from all over the world, including New York, Paris and Poland - all hidden behind lavish costumes and decorated masks.
Luc Vellatier, a Frenchman in an fancy green outfit, wig and a mask, said he was celebrating his 40th birthday and that he and his wife bought their tickets and rented their costumes at the last minute.
"We decide to rent basically the costumes today and we bought the ticket and we find this magical place here," Vellatier told AP Television.
Lucia Zavagli Ricciardelli, a native Venetians, said she was drawn back to the ball every year and would never stop coming.
"Those of us who are true Venetians have lots of fun. We will never stop coming," she said.
Tom Shriver, a New Yorker in an outrageous white feather wig said he was back for his fifth year and referred to the event as "the most delightful fantasy for an adult in the world."
The show's artistic director Matteo Corvino said he was inspired by 18th century Venetian galas but added some modern innovations.
"The Cavalchina began again last year after many years of oblivion, and it was a huge success in the 17th century, just like it is tonight. People come in costumes as they wish, not necessarily 1800, but it is from that period," Corvino explained.
Keyword wacky
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