The Shard: A Dazzling Light Show Or Just A Damp Squib? (PICTURES) | HuffPost

The Shard: A Dazzling Light Show Or Just A Damp Squib? (PICTURES)

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The Shard was illuminated to mixed reactions on Thursday night

Londoners were left feeling "Shard" done by after a light show to celebrate the giant building's grand opening failed to illuminate the skyline.

The laser display, which began at about 10.15pm yesterday, fired beams of light from the skyscraper to landmarks across the London skyline.

But expectations that the show would be a wonderful spectacle visible all across the city were somewhat dashed, and many felt the grand opening ceremony was little more than a damp squib.

Debbie Lemon, 30, who tried to watch the show in Honor Oak Park, south-east London, said: "That was bitterly disappointing.

"We were expecting a light show and saw fairy lights twinkling in the distance - nothing out of the ordinary."

The skyscraper, situated just yards from the banks of the Thames in Southwark, is 1,016ft tall

Barry Treasure, 29, who also tried to watch the show in Brenchley Gardens, south-east London, along with dozens of other residents, added: "With such hype, we were so underwhelmed.

"We couldn't see a thing, the only difference was some flashing lights on St Paul's."

People also took to Twitter to vent their frustration.

John Duku wrote: "Okay, so STILL waiting for the Shard to start its lazer show. Oh. You mean THAT was it? Money well spent, Boris..."

karendacre added: "If the opening of the shard is some sort of prelude to the opening of the Olympics, may I suggest this: lower your expectations."

Europe's tallest building, which is joint-owned by the state of Qatar, was officially unveiled yesterday.

The laser display began after 10pm on Thursday night

The 1,016ft (309.6m) skyscraper, situated just yards from the banks of the River Thames in Southwark, was inaugurated by the Qatari prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani, and the Duke of York.

Speaking after the ceremony Andrew said: "I hope that the people who will come and work here and live around here will truly appreciate not only the hard work that the entire team have put together, but also they'll recognise the relationship and investment that has been put in by both the UK and Qatar."

Visitors to the Shard will have panoramic views of London from a viewing platform due to open next year.

But those willing to brave the heights will have to delve deep into their purses - tickets will cost £24.95 for an adult and £18.95 for a child.

The Shard has divided opinion on all levels so far - not least its laser show opening ceremony.

Writing on Twitter, Hari Phillips said: "Oh dear. One of the biggest PR own goals in living memory."

Pete Hawkes summed it up: "Seriously, shardenfreude."

The Shard Opening

The Shard, Europe's Largest Building Is Unveiled After Completion Of It's Exterior(01 of30)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 05: Laser lights shine from The Shard over Tower Bridge on July 5, 2012 in London, England. The European Union's highest building designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, stands at 310 meters tall situated on London's Southbank is formally inaugurated this evening at 10pm with a laser show that will also be streamed live on the internet. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

Lasers light up the night sky from the (02 of30)

Lasers light up the night sky from the Shard building during its inauguration in central London, on July 5, 2012. Europe's tallest skyscraper the Shard was inaugurated in a dazzling sound and light show befitting its status as the capital's brashest and most controversial building. The Shard's inauguration marks the completion of the exterior of the building, located on the south bank of the River Thames at London Bridge, while work on the inside is expected to continue into 2013. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW COWIE (Photo credit should read Andrew Cowie/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty)

Lasers light up the night sky from the (03 of30)

Lasers light up the night sky from the Shard building during its inauguration in central London, on July 5, 2012. Europe's tallest skyscraper the Shard was inaugurated in a dazzling sound and light show befitting its status as the capital's brashest and most controversial building. The Shard's inauguration marks the completion of the exterior of the building, located on the south bank of the River Thames at London Bridge, while work on the inside is expected to continue into 2013. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW COWIE (Photo credit should read Andrew Cowie/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty)

Lasers light up the night sky from the (04 of30)

Lasers light up the night sky from the Shard building during its inauguration in central London, on July 5, 2012. Europe's tallest skyscraper the Shard was inaugurated in a dazzling sound and light show befitting its status as the capital's brashest and most controversial building. The Shard's inauguration marks the completion of the exterior of the building, located on the south bank of the River Thames at London Bridge, while work on the inside is expected to continue into 2013. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW COWIE (Photo credit should read Andrew Cowie/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty)

Lasers light up the night sky from the (05 of30)

Lasers light up the night sky from the Shard building during its inauguration in central London, on July 5, 2012. Europe's tallest skyscraper the Shard was inaugurated in a dazzling sound and light show befitting its status as the capital's brashest and most controversial building. The Shard's inauguration marks the completion of the exterior of the building, located on the south bank of the River Thames at London Bridge, while work on the inside is expected to continue into 2013. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW COWIE (Photo credit should read Andrew Cowie/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty)

The Shard, Europe's Largest Building Is Unveiled After Completion Of It's Exterior(06 of30)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 05: The Shard is illuminated against the night sky on July 5, 2012 in London, England. The European Union's tallest building, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano and standing 310 meters tall situated on London's Southbank, was formally inaugurated this evening with a laser show that was streamed live on the Internet. (credit:Getty)

The Shard, Europe's Largest Building Is Unveiled After Completion Of It's Exterior(07 of30)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 05: Crowds watch as laser lights shine from The Shard over Tower Bridge on July 5, 2012 in London, England. The European Union's highest building designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, stands at 310 meters tall situated on London's Southbank is formally inaugurated this evening at 10pm with a laser show that will also be streamed live on the internet. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

The Shard, Europe's Largest Building Is Unveiled After Completion Of It's Exterior(08 of30)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 05: The Shard is seen lit up during a laser light show from Tower Millennium Pier on July 5, 2012 in London, England. The European Union's highest building designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, stands at 310 meters tall situated on London's Southbank is formally inaugurated this evening at 10pm with a laser show that will also be streamed live on the internet. (Photo by Bethany Clarke/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

The Shard, Europe's Largest Building Is Unveiled After Completion Of It's Exterior(09 of30)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 05: The Shard is seen lit up during a laser light show from Tower Millennium Pier on July 5, 2012 in London, England. The European Union's tallest building, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, stands at 310 meters tall situated on London's Southbank was formally inaugurated this evening with a laser show that was streamed live on the Internet. (Photo by Bethany Clarke/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

The Shard, Europe's Largest Building Is Unveiled After Completion Of It's Exterior(10 of30)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 05: Crowds watch as laser lights shine from The Shard over Tower Bridge on July 5, 2012 in London, England. The European Union's highest building designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, stands at 310 meters tall situated on London's Southbank is formally inaugurated this evening at 10pm with a laser show that will also be streamed live on the internet. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

The Shard, Europe's Largest Building Is Unveiled After Completion Of It's Exterior(11 of30)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 05: The Shard is seen lit up during a laser light show from Tower Millennium Pier on July 5, 2012 in London, England. The European Union's highest building designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, stands at 310 meters tall situated on London's Southbank is formally inaugurated this evening at 10pm with a laser show that will also be streamed live on the internet. (Photo by Bethany Clarke/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

The Shard, Europe's Largest Building Is Unveiled After Completion Of It's Exterior(12 of30)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 05: The Shard is seen lit up during a laser light show from Tower Millennium Pier on July 5, 2012 in London, England. The European Union's highest building designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, stands at 310 meters tall situated on London's Southbank is formally inaugurated this evening at 10pm with a laser show that will also be streamed live on the internet. (Photo by Bethany Clarke/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

Shard Inauguration - London(13 of30)

The Shard skyscraper lit up by a laser light show to celebrate the inauguration of Europe's tallest building, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, seen by London's Tower Bridge. (credit:Julian Parker/UK Press)

Shard Inauguration - London(14 of30)

The Shard skyscraper lit up by a laser light show to celebrate the inauguration of Europe's tallest building, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano. (credit:Julian Parker/UK Press)

Shard Inauguration - London(15 of30)

The Shard skyscraper lit up by a laser light show to celebrate the inauguration of Europe's tallest building, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano. (credit:Julian Parker/UK Press)

Shard Inauguration - London(16 of30)

The Shard skyscraper lit up by a laser light show to celebrate the inauguration of Europe's tallest building, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, seen by London's Tower Bridge. (credit:Julian Parker/UK Press)

Shard Inauguration - London(17 of30)

The Shard skyscraper lit up by a laser light show to celebrate the inauguration of Europe's tallest building, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, seen by London's Tower Bridge. (credit:Julian Parker/UK Press)

Shard Inauguration - London(18 of30)

The Shard officially celebrates its opening with an amazing light show. (credit:William Parker/UK Press)

Shard Inauguration - London(19 of30)

The Shard officially celebrates its opening with an amazing light show. (credit:William Parker/UK Press)

Shard Inauguration - London(20 of30)

A laser show projected from the Shard skyscraper on the South Bank, London, seen from Parliament Hill, marking the completion of the exterior of the building, with work on the inside expected to continue into 2013 and following the official inauguration of the skyscraper earlier today. (credit:John Phillips/UK Press)

Shard Inauguration - London(21 of30)

A laser show projected from the Shard skyscraper on the South Bank, London, seen from Parliament Hill, marking the completion of the exterior of the building, with work on the inside expected to continue into 2013 and following the official inauguration of the skyscraper earlier today. (credit:John Phillips/UK Press)

Shard Inauguration - London(22 of30)

A laser show projected from the Shard skyscraper on the South Bank, London, seen from Parliament Hill, marking the completion of the exterior of the building, with work on the inside expected to continue into 2013 and following the official inauguration of the skyscraper earlier today. (credit:John Phillips/UK Press)

Shard Inauguration - London(23 of30)

A laser show projected from the Shard skyscraper on the South Bank, London, seen from Parliament Hill, marking the completion of the exterior of the building, with work on the inside expected to continue into 2013 and following the official inauguration of the skyscraper earlier today. (credit:John Phillips/UK Press)

Shard Inauguration - London(24 of30)

A laser show projected from the Shard skyscraper on the South Bank, London, seen from Parliament Hill, marking the completion of the exterior of the building, with work on the inside expected to continue into 2013 and following the official inauguration of the skyscraper earlier today. (credit:John Phillips/UK Press)

Shard Inauguration - London(25 of30)

A laser show projected from the Shard skyscraper on the South Bank, London, seen from Parliament Hill, marking the completion of the exterior of the building, with work on the inside expected to continue into 2013 and following the official inauguration of the skyscraper earlier today. (credit:John Phillips/UK Press)

Shard Inauguration - London(26 of30)

A laser show projected from the Shard skyscraper on the South Bank, London, seen from Parliament Hill, marking the completion of the exterior of the building, with work on the inside expected to continue into 2013 and following the official inauguration of the skyscraper earlier today. (credit:John Phillips/UK Press)

Shard Inauguration - London(27 of30)

A laser show projected from the Shard skyscraper on the South Bank, London, seen from Parliament Hill, marking the completion of the exterior of the building, with work on the inside expected to continue into 2013 and following the official inauguration of the skyscraper earlier today. (credit:John Phillips/UK Press)

Shard opened(28 of30)

A laser show projected from the Shard skyscraper on the South Bank, London, seen from Parliament Hill, marking the completion of the exterior of the building, with work on the inside expected to continue into 2013 and following the official inauguration of the skyscraper earlier today. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)

Shard opened(29 of30)

A laser show projected from the Shard skyscraper on the South Bank, London, seen from Parliament Hill, marking the completion of the exterior of the building, with work on the inside expected to continue into 2013 and following the official inauguration of the skyscraper earlier today. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)

Shard opened(30 of30)

A laser show projected from the Shard skyscraper on the South Bank, London, seen from Parliament Hill, marking the completion of the exterior of the building, with work on the inside expected to continue into 2013 and following the official inauguration of the skyscraper earlier today. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)

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