BRAVO

Watchd CRUCIBLE co burn it up last night. Final show 4 me. Invited 4 curtaincall by ever gracious @RCArmitage. Godspeed Rich &co. #doffmyhat

— yael farber (@yfarber) September 10, 2014

Richard Armitage in Conversation at The Old Vic September 2

Oh Old Vic - your email this morning broke my heart.  I can hear the sighs all over the world right now for those of us not lucky enough to live in London or a reasonably priced airline ticket or train ride away.

The Old Vic Announced the following today - first via email to subscribers and later on Twitter:

Following the overwhelming critical acclaim for Yaël Farber's powerful revival of Arthur Miller's classic drama, The Crucible, we are delighted that Richard Armitage will be in conversation on The Old Vic stage on Tuesday 2 September at 5pm to talk about his career and his role as John Proctor. 

Priority booking for members opens today. 

Tickets £5 – may be restricted view

Premium Tickets £10 – best seats in the house

More Info at link below:
http://www.oldvictheatre.com/support-us/Events/richard-armitage-in-conversation/



Sigh...

Press Night at The Crucible with Valentina. and More Richard Armitage at the Stage Door - Guest Post Part 5

Photos Property of Valentina - No Posting Without Her Permission

OOOooooooooops! Here I am AGAIN! I think it's my last one...

My first thought is for Fabo who is so kind to let me post my report on her blog. (I think she's enjoying it!)

What happened? Why am I writing another report?

I saw The Crucible two more times after my first view.....three times over nine days!

I really wanted to see it again, because it was very emotional and I thought I had missed something. I loved the show, and of course I wanted to see Richard again... but I couldn't afford another ticket! I am leaving shortly, I'm going back home for the summer holiday but I'm supposed to come back in September. So I was looking for a cheap ticket for the last week. I couldn't find any. I wanted a very cheap one, like £10! No way...no chance to get any ticket for that price. So I looked forward to a lovely dinner on Friday with some amazing RA fans I “met” on twitter because they decided to go to the stage door afterwards.  Another chance to see Richard!

On Wednesday I was out all day and I missed a post on the Old Vic theatre Facebook page....they were giving away tickets for the press night! Luckily my lovely Fabo told me about it on Twitter that night and I bought a ticket straight away without thinking about it for a second. For only £10! LUCKY.  I live here in London and I can get to the Old Vic easily.

WOW!! Exciting! I was attending the show again and at press night! I was so happy!

I arrived early because I had to collect my ticket and meet up with two other lovely RA fans. There were many journalists and photographers…the theatre was very busy. We spotted some of the Hobbit cast there, as you all know.  I tried to stop Orlando but he just smiled and disappeared in the crowd :) I missed Sir Ian. Anyway, I got a very good seat on the upper circle, quite far from the stage but good (C22).

I can't express how I felt when I heard that music again....it's still playing in my mind now. The atmosphere is striking...the lights… the music...I held my breath again!

I didn't know what it would be like seeing the show again after few days. It was press night, and I figured that Richard would give his best that night (yes, I know he always does...but you know what I mean!) ........I didn't imagine he might be so amazing! YES! He was even better than the first time I saw the play. I felt it when he first came out on stage, in Betty's bedroom. His attitude was different, I don't know how to explain it. I'm sure those lucky to see the show more than once will notice a difference between the different performances.

I think Richard used all his voice that night. It was amazing how he was able to modulate it in the different scenes. He sounded incredibly bossy during his confrontation with Elizabeth, painfully broken-hearted when she is brought to jail, deeply regretful when confessing his sin, crying “Forgive me, forgive me...” desperate when he was accused in court... (Pointing at the judges and the girls surrounding him, turning around like a fool) …“God is dead....and we will burn...we will burn together!!!” Those lines made me shiver … his wild eyes and his thundery voice rumbled again in the theatre...oh I can still hear it! And I swear, I heard people releasing their breath after that.

The last act was even more passionate than it was in my first view. You could really feel his sorrow...it almost made me cry! The way John and Elizabeth tenderly forgive each other in their reconciliation scene is incredibly moving. The last part of the show is the triumph of Richard's powerful acting, "(with a cry of his soul) Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another one in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!” …........ I feel like crying! This is one of the best parts of the play.  I suddenly feel like seeing it again! I really hear him now shouting those lines.

Seeing The Crucible was an unforgettable experience.

That night was a success for the cast and the director, so many good Five Star reviews! There wasn't a standing ovation. I think 70% of the audience were journalists. After the show there was a party and I saw family and friends of the actors waiting at the stage door. There was a very short queue and Richard, beautifully dressed, came to sign autographs and take pics. He looked happy! I didn't smell him this time, I didn't need to! He filled the air with his perfume...wow I was going to faint!

Photo Property of Valentina - Do Not Post Without Permission

I was so lucky to get another ticket for Saturday night from a very generous girl. I must be honest and say that at first I didn't accept the ticket, I didn't want to see it again so soon. It is quite painful to watch and I was probably worried about spoiling my enthusiasm with the play and seeing Richard on stage. After a while I thought I was a fool! What have I done???  I told my friend to ask somebody else if they wanted the ticket and if nobody was available I would go again...and guess what? I went to see the play again after only two days! I knew it would be different to the others. After the matinée the actors looked all tired, or so I noticed.

Photo Property of Valentina- Do Not Post Without Permission

I wondered how Richard could manage to keep that “rumbling voice” every day, and twice in the same day! In fact, he didn't. I can say his voice was much lower compared to the other two shows I attended. He must have been really exhausted. I also feared he couldn't actually reach the same tone in some great scenes I saw on Thursday night.

The entire show was a bit different, some scenes were faster (they gained 15 minutes, the show now finishes at 11.)  I also noticed that some lines weren't said on the press night, and came back on Saturday. I heard many more giggles from the audience. It seemed they enjoyed some lines or probably they needed to laugh to ease the tension off a little bit.  And William Gaunt with his Giles Corey surely helped!

The washing up scene lasts a little bit more so you can look at a shirtless Richard for a few more seconds. I already described how strong his shoulders and his arms are ... but last time I noticed he's really thin! You can almost see his ribs! I laughed when my friend S said he was “tiny”....TINY???!!! She expected him to be much bigger...wow he looked tiny to me too on Saturday! I hope he will keep himself healthy during the summer, he looks really, really, exhausted already! The strange thing is that Richard's stage presence is really impressive, he looks so massive!

So I found some differences from the first scene, but the whole show was still amazing, I shivered again when the music started. Surprisingly Richard's full voice came back in the second part. He was outstanding!!!!!! I think he might not strain his voice too much during the entire show, or at least not when he plays two shows in the same day.

The theatre was full, tickets were sold out. At the end of the show everybody stood up for a long applause, it was the first time I saw a complete standing ovation! I was almost in tears! Our lovely man was on stage accepting all the praise. I was so happy! He even hinted at a tiny smile.

I understand that this show ends with him being hanged, but I thought all the praise would make him happy!

Photo Property of Valentina - Do Not Post Without Permission

I also noticed that Richard has changed a little bit his approach to the fans at the stage door.  He is incredibly sweet to come out every night to meet the fans (on Saturday there was a very long line) although he's probably very tired. However I’ve noticed that he's now more distant. The first week he was more cheerful and hugged everybody. Now he's always in a hurry. That is understandable, but the fans congratulating him should still make him happy. I don't know why but I find him very serious lately. (I’ve seen him four times over the last two weeks).

Please don't judge me roughly, these are just a fan's impressions...

I would go to see The Crucible again and again! The tickets are sold out almost every night. I am very happy for Richard, he deserves all the praise :) I miss his smile though!

I realise that meeting him so many times makes you see him from different points of view. The first time (at Waterstones') I couldn't even talk to him, I was really nervous and I don't even remember what he looked like!

The second time I saw him at the stage door on the opening night of The Crucible. He was so adorable! I talked about that incredible day here: http://whiterosewritings.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/valentina-meets-richard-armitage.html

My third meeting with him was on Friday the 27^th when I finally attended the show. I went to the stage door again and congratulated him. He signed my Crucible book and posed for a picture with me and Judit. He was really adorable!!!!!!!

Then I went again to the stage door but I only took pictures for my friends. I didn't want to bother him again, especially because I have a wonderful picture of him and me already! Oh! I just realised that I met him 6 times already...wow! I'm so lucky! Every time is different and I now feel the need to chat with him properly...which is very unlikely to happen! I think everybody would love to talk to him in a normal conversation. I know somebody who had this incredible opportunity! I always hope to bump into him on the street by chance, maybe one day. It seems I'm quite lucky with these RA encounters!

I wish I knew him better... ah ah ah who wouldn't? I've never been a great fan of actors or singers. I think I don't like that you never get to “know” these people. It’s disappointing! But this is the way things go and we can't change it.

I truly love this guy as an actor and a person, for the little I know about him and I will always follow and support him.

Thank you for reading!

Until next time ;)

Valentina

**************

I want to thank my friend Valentina again for trusting my blog to publish her interesting and insightful eyewitness accounts of seeing The Crucible at the Old Vic and meeting our magnificent main man Richard Armitage so many times at the stage door.  I am having fun sharing her story with our fellow Armitage well-wishers. (Though I'm also weeping on the inside because I'm not there watching Richard on stage too! LOL).  Fabo

Photos are property of Valentina - Please do not publish without her permission.  

Valentina's Experience with The Crucible - Guest Post

Photo Property of Valentina - Do Not Publish Without Permission

(Note: If you haven't read or seen the play The Crucible this post may have some SPOILERS.  Fabo)

MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE CRUCIBLE

There I am again! Thank you so much Fabo for hosting me again on your blog!!

First of all I must say that this is not a theatre review..it's a fan report.

When I heard that Richard was going to play John Proctor in The Crucible here in London, I was so excited! As I said before, I've always dreamt of seeing him on stage! I booked a seat in row J... but I wasn't sure how far I would be from the stage. Then I found out that the first rows had been removed so I was in 4^th row!

I tried to imagine how big the Old Vic Theatre might be, and I never imagined I was so close to the stage!! This theatre is beautiful, it's a very intimate experience, because the audience surrounds the stage and the actors are so close.

I didn't like the smell of alcohol  all over the show.  People next to me were drinking vodka or wine... bleah. How is that? In Italy nobody is allowed to drink in the theatre...not even water! Furthermore, the girl next to me had a huge rucksack that prevented me from sitting properly in my OWN space!..not to mention that her feet were stinky.

Natalie and I met up quite early in Waterloo. It was a beautiful sunny day.  Judit also joined us and we had a nice chat and dinner. We almost forgot that we were going to see the Richard on stage! I must say that I was so excited and nervous. I don't know why, but I think it's normal when seeing the Richard.

We went back to the theatre at 7:00pm and took our seats...oh my God! I was so close to the stage! Actually...there isn't a stage! We were so incredibly excited ! I was trembling..and I never stopped.

The lights went down and a mysterious music started … I'm not going to describe every scene... it would be too much !

Richard first appeared in the middle of the stage, surrounded by the other actors.  His presence is so majestic... he's a big man! He comes on stage for the first time when he meets Abigail in Parris' house. You can feel the tension between them. He looks really vulnerable against her, he tries hard not to be too involved while she tries to seduce him. Suddenly the tension between them leads to a flaming  “fight”, where they touch and reject each other with anger. Abigail literally jumps on him so unexpectedly...wow. That really gave me the idea of the “flying witch”.

This scene is really good , I held my breath until it ended...but to be honest...I held my breath through the entire show!

Richard's voice is amazing,  I agree with someone who said that it's different to Thorin's voice, it's deeper and rougher.. it is roaring in certain moments, and sorrowfully soft in others.

The mysterious music plays again in the intervals between one act and another. All the actors move the props for the next scene.

My lovely friend Natalie sat just behind me (Judit was on the other side of the stage), so we had the chance to gaze around during some scenes...and we suddenly looked at each other when we saw a girl bringing a wash basin. We knew what was going to happen!

John Proctor appears in the dark... tired, gasping.  He leaves his rifle in a corner, takes off his boots.. and goes to the fireplace. I couldn't imagine he would strip in the middle of the stage...in fact, he didn't. He squats over the basin  and takes off his shirt. It seems he knows that there is an audience around him, so it's a very intimate and private moment for him. OK! I know what you want...

I was shocked ! His shoulders are big... he's a built man, not too muscular but well shaped. His chesticles... ahhhhhhhhhh sorry! I’m sorry I couldn't scream in the theatre! His arms are so strong...wow I wish somebody could steal that moment...he's got a beautiful body, perfectly proportioned. His feet are perfect too, almost “elegant”!

 He puts his shirt on again while he is still squatting. Proctor's wife enters, she's a very cold woman. She became remote after her husband's betrayal. Their house is quiet, dark...there's no more love between them. John Proctor feels guilty but he knows he won't be able to change the situation. Their dialogue goes very slowly until Mary Warren arrives … I won't explain what happens here..it's too long!

Richard is wearing a shirt opened in the neck...you can clearly see his chest O_O it gets really hard to follow the lines!!!! He wears black trousers and he's barefoot...his feet!!! beautiful!

Elizabeth is accused of being a witch by Abigail. She asks John to talk to Abigail... he's confused, he doesn't know what to do, he knows he can't see the girl...he feels guilty. Richard is gorgeous here (well...everywhere!)

At the end of this scene, Elizabeth is brought to jail and  John Proctor (Richard) goes mad, he fills up the whole theatre with his voice, the lights hit his beautiful eyes...they're shining and sparkling... he's lost.....he cries, he's desperate. Ohhhhhhhh Richard was amazing!  We have never seen him acting like this, he shouts with his full voice ... very passionate! I can still hear it in my head.

The third act takes place at Court where the trial is being held.

Proctor comes with Mary Warren, she might save his wife from hanging. John tries to convince the court that the girls are pretending to be witches. Mary Warren says she has never seen the Devil. The situation turns against John Proctor. The girls go crazy and start shouting and trembling. John (Richard) runs around them to try to make them stop... he's desperate...his only hope was Mary but the other girls make her change her mind and she starts behaving like a fool. Proctor's last attempt is to proclaim his guilt publicly, calling Abigail a “whore”... but this only leads to his own arrest. He goes wild. Richard shouts with all his breath “God is dead!!” 

His voice rumbles everywhere... he spews out all his anger like a Vulcano... “..we will burn together”... I think I fired up there!

Last act takes place in the dungeons, Elizabeth and John have been there for three months. She's pregnant. John is going to hang. He wears a tattered white shirt, blood stained, ripped trousers, he's dirty.

Richard speaks proudly, his voice becomes softer as he speaks to Elizabeth. Proctor is devoted to her, he cries. They hold hands. Richard made this scene between Proctor and his wife very intimate.

Proctor refuses to give a false confession for personal and religious reasons.  A false admission would also dishonor him, staining not just his public reputation, but also his soul. By refusing to give up his personal integrity Proctor implicitly proclaims his conviction that such integrity will bring him to heaven.

As Miller describes this scene..”with a cry of his soul” (Richard) Proctor cries out all his pride, crying...his eyes are full of tears..so intense! He goes to the gallows redeemed for his sin.

There's a kiss between Elizabeth and her husband, that is described as “ a kiss with great passion”. I think the train scene in North&South was much more passionate !! I think there's no chemistry between them anymore or there's not much chemistry between RA and the actress.

I held my breath throughout the whole show. The entire cast was amazing, our Richard was outstanding! His performance was impressive. I didn't expect such a powerful interpretation. The whole experience was fantastic.

They got another standing ovation, the audience loved the show, and they praised Richard with much applause.

Personally, I loved Natalie Gavin's performance, I think she was great, whereas I wasn't really impressed by Samantha Colley. She doesn't steal the show at all, in my modest opinion.

Photo Property of Valentina - Do Not Publish Without Permission

After the show we flew to the stage door, there was already a long queue but we were quite close. Natalie couldn't meet Richard unfortunately because she had to catch the coach. What a shame!! Richard appeared five minutes after she had left. Me and lovely Judit stayed in the line.. I was calmer this time...or so I thought!!!

Photo Property of Valentina - Do Not Publish Without Permission

There I was again, in front of Richard Armitage! I brought my book for him to sign, he was pleased!! “Oh the book!”  I told him he was outstanding. I don't know if he said something. I asked a Belgian girl to take a picture of the three of us. So me and Judit hugged him and he put his arms around our shoulders. I managed to smell him again. Judit gave him a letter from Alessia. He was so happy! He said : “ Thank you for coming” and we left..

What a pity that my camera didn't work. That pic would have been a good one, but I shouldn't complain as I have a great one of me and Richard.

I would like to bump into him one day by chance and have a little chat. The stage door is not the right place for that, he's tired and in a hurry. He can't talk with everybody.

I am very proud of being part of this group of well-wishers, or at least of those who really “wish well”.  They stay in the line and are very respectful of him and for the others.

Last time I saw different kinds of people queuing. I think there were not just RA fans but also theatre lovers who wanted to congratulate him, because he's a very talented actor.

Thank you for reading my humble report. I tried to express my feelings as best I could.

Thank you Fabo for your help and for sharing with me this attempt at writing my story!!

Valentina

Read more of Valentina's story, her first meeting with Richard Armitage, and more  at the links below

Part 3

http://whiterosewritings.blogspot.com/2014/06/valentina-meets-richard-armitage_23.html

Part 2

http://whiterosewritings.blogspot.com/2014/06/valentina-meets-richard-armitage_22.html

Part 1

http://whiterosewritings.blogspot.com/2014/06/valentina-meets-richard-armitage.html

Valentina Meets Richard Armitage: The Crucible Stage Door - Guest Post - Part 3

Photo Property of Valentina 

Meeting Richard - Part 3

The time was running out.. then I found myself almost in front of him again..GOD! I asked her to say something to him in a proper English because I was thrilled to bits!

We were the last in the queue. Richard was exhausted, he had probably been there all day. He couldn't wait to go home, but he talked to us again. I remember his face when he saw me, I think he said “did you queue back again?” :D My friend asked if we could take a proper photo (she wasn't happy with hers as well) because he blinked..so I showed him the photo as proof..he smiled. I don't remember what I said.. I only know he said “of course”, he was amused...

I quickly wrapped his waist like a KOALA on his tree and he put his arm on my shoulders to pose. Then he said “never blink in photos!!” and  smiled.

I smelled him twice...he smells really good. I don't know what perfume it might be. I only know that I was overwhelmed by his presence. He is a very handsome man, kind and gentle with fans. He's shy in these situations and moves dorkly... how adorable?? He is really hot, in the true sense of the word. I felt the heat and the pleasant scent his body was giving off...does this sound crazy? :P

I failed again to introduce myself and shake his hand, but there is still time.

My friend took a beautiful picture of me and Richard, and every time I look at it, I can't believe I really met him.

As I wrote on Twitter, he's so kind, he loves to see that his fans are there to support him. So if you can attend the show, go and say “hello” to him (if he does this again). I don't think that the stage door thing disturbs him, what would he think if he didn't find anyone waiting for him?

I heard the Tom Hiddleston had problems with some crazy fans and he stopped doing the stage door after the show. BUT this is Richard Armitage and The Armitage Well Wishers Army is made of educated people.

I saw a quiet and organised queue, nobody complained, he wouldn't leave until he had met everybody, even us for the second time!

He got many gifts, nice words for his performance and  looked very happy.

Ask him for a hug.. one girl said “can I hug you??” and he replied:”sure, come here!” and welcomed her into his arms... bless him!

My friend asked “how did it go?”

Richard “it wasn't too bad for the first night...” He's so humble and modest.

I will see the show next Friday, I'm literally counting the days.I can't wait! I heard great reviews about the whole show and his performance.

I hope to meet him again after the show and finally say something more, though we don't know if he'll do it again.

I wish all of you could meet him, I was so lucky to be here in London at this particular time. I couldn't imagine he would work here on stage!

When you meet him, after recovering from fainting, you realise he's a normal guy, very genuine (although I don't know him personally) he's not like the other celebrities. That's why we love him so much!

OH! I didn't mention his voice.. so deep and yet so delicate... a cuddle for your ears …..

I felt the need to tell you how I met him. We waited for him for more than six hours in the wind.. but it was worth it.

I'm sorry for my bad English..I hope I let you share this amazing experience with me !

Thank you for reading!!

Thank you so much Fabo for hosting me in your blog!!

I will write more in seven days...If I recover after seeing him shirtless on stage!!! ;P

Valentina

***************

Thank you to Valentina for trusting my blog to publish her wonderful story. It's my pleasure to do so.

Please do not post any of her photos without her permission.

Part 2

http://whiterosewritings.blogspot.com/2014/06/valentina-meets-richard-armitage_22.html

Part 1

http://whiterosewritings.blogspot.com/2014/06/valentina-meets-richard-armitage.html

Valentina Meets Richard Armitage: The Crucible Stage Door - Guest Post - Part 2

Photo by Valentina 

Meeting Richard - Part 2

We decided to have dinner somewhere and rest. At 9.30pm we went back to the theatre but nobody was there, except the three of us and the photo sellers. No cars, taxis, drivers.. so the door man was right, the show was going on.

The sun set and we were now freezing .. but we NEVER left that door. I was getting really nervous. I had to think about what to say to him this time, I didn't bring anything to sign. I just wanted to shake his  hand and take a picture..and possibly TOUCH him..just to make sure he is real! :)

Time went by really slowly from 9:30pm to 11pm. I was freezing cold, my back was aching, but I was going to finally  meet Richard! The security man arrived and I heard “last 5 minutes”... oh my God! There we are! It's over!

We made a queue..and my friends and I were the first. We saw Richard and the other actors leaving the stage, he was wearing a white tattered shirt...my heart skipped a beat.. he was really there!!!!!!!!

I started getting REALLY nervous. After a while, the actors started to come out and leave the theatre. I felt a bit embarrassed because nobody stopped them and they saw the long queue of Richard Armitage fans along the wall.

I didn't know them, maybe after seeing the show later this month I will talk to the rest of the cast. One after the other, they were leaving...every time the security guard opened that door, we thought it might be him and stopped breathing.

Then he finally appeared at the door... wow he was breathtaking!

I told my friend to go first because I was freaking out! He came out towards us with the sweetest smile on his face. My friend got him a Hobbit poster to sign and then I don't really know what happened, I only remember I asked him if we could take a photo. I failed to shake his hand but I hugged him as much as I could, as he was wearing his rucksack.

I decided to take a selfie and he said “ah! Ok!” :) So he tried to stay in the photo...as he's so tall and I'm so short! He gave me directions “yes..no... and I took it”

He put his arm around my shoulders. I felt his hot hand... he said “thank you for waiting for so long!” (more than 6 hours...)

Everything happened so quickly.I found myself behind him but with a picture of me with him blinking...NO!!!! What could I do??!! the last tube was going to leave Waterloo Station and I didn't know how to get home, because the night bus doesn't stop near my house, so I had only 15 minutes left, it was 11:45pm

My friend said I should queue again and ask for a new picture but I didn't want to bother him, how could I go there again????

She was very determined and started queing again saying to me “I'll queue for you so that you can get a proper photo”, she's lovely! I didn't want to!

Continued in Part 3

(Please do not post any of Valentina's photos without her permission)

Valentina Meets Richard Armitage: The Crucible Stage Door - Guest Post - Part 1

MEETING RICHARD!

First of all, I must thank Fabo for hosting me on her blog.

Where do I start??????? I imagined this moment so many times..when I first saw him in person in December at the Waterstones Piccadilly Q&A, I was so so excited that I couldn't say a word when I was standing in front of him waiting for my autograph! I wanted my second chance, although there's never time to actually “talk”... unless you are so lucky to bump into him in the street. When I heard about The Crucible I was thrilled! How lucky I am to be here in London !! I soon bought my ticket, I'm attending the show next Friday...I can't wait ! I have always dreamt of seeing him on stage since I started following him...I always thought he would be amazing! 

When did I start following him? In January 2013...

I didn't want to watch The Hobbit because I was scared it wouldn't be good, being a huge fan of the LOTR trilogy. In January 2013 I found news about the movie everywhere, and at last I decided I wanted to know more about it.. so I watched the trailers and I decided to watch it (all the movies in Italy are dubbed in Italian...). I loved the movie since the first scenes...then Thorin knocked at the door...and my life was ruined! :) and I didn't even hear his original voice!

After watching the movie I wanted to know everything about the actor who played Thorin Oakenshield...I was shocked when I googled his name ! So I started following him and I soon “fell in love” with him as probably all of you!

I was bit disappointed after The Hobbit Q&A in Waterstones because I couldn't talk to him. Furthermore, I missed him at the Empire Awards as I didn't know he would attend the show...I wish I would have seen him with that ponytail..he looked gorgeous!

I was determined to meet him again and shake his hand or take a picture with him. So yesterday I had my chance: I wanted to go to the theatre and see if I could see him at the famous “stage door”, but being very shy and not used to doing this kind of things, I didn't want to go on my own.

I asked on Twitter and Facebook if anyone was going to the Old Vic but nobody answered me, which was a bit surprising to be honest. I thought many fans would go there hoping to meet Richard.

I was going to give up, I wouldn't stand there on my own like an idiot...but eventually an RA fan answered me on Facebook and we decided to meet up!

I wanted to go at 4:00pm, as my lovely friend Marie suggested, and she was right. I'm sure Richard arrived around that time. My friend and I met at Waterloo Station at 4:30pm, we had a cold drink as it was really hot..I wonder why????!!! ;) then we went to the stage door and found only some photo sellers and two girls, who were waiting for Richard. So we started chatting and waiting..it was 5:00pm.

Some actors in the cast went outside several times to smoke or have a coffee, but Richard never showed up. But we knew they were doing rehearsals in a big room on the third floor (if I am not mistaken). Through the windows I could see the stairs and the rehearsal room (or changing room) door, we saw some of the actors going up and down with their costumes.. no sign of Richard.

There was a lovely girl,who has met Richard a couple of times already (he even recognised her!!), that got some cupcakes for Richard, so he probably knew some fans were waiting for him outside,and the other actors were looking at us and smiling through the windows.

The time flew by and it was 7:30pm. The show started and the doorman told us that nobody would come out of the stage door until 23.15(11:15pm) !!!!!!! I didn't really believe him, I thought he wanted to get rid of us.. afterwords  I realised he was right!

Continued on Part 2

Crucible Rehearsals

Beautiful Crucible Rehearsal Photos from the Old Vic

Photos by Johan Persson 

(Collage by me)

Laurence Olivier and The Old Vic ...oh yes, and Richard Armitage

Richard Armitage Signing his Crucible Poster with what looks like

Photo of Lord Laurence Olivier in the background

Laurence Olivier, son of an Anglican minister, was claimed in his lifetime as the greatest English-speaking actor of the 20th century and the first actor to receive a life peerage, Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier.

 In 1944 after serving in the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm in World War II, Lord Laurence teamed with longtime friend Ralph Richardson (also a great actor, and later a knight) to revitalize the fabled Old Vic Theatre. This new phase of his career allowed Olivier to appear in an extensive repertory of  Shakespearean roles of his choosing, but also allowed him to direct, though he had been doing so sporadically since the 1930s.

Olivier's Old Vic repertory company, then housed in the building today known as the Old Vic, formed the core of the National Theatre of Great Britain on its formation in 1963, under Laurence Olivier. The National Theatre stayed at the Old Vic until the new National Theater building we know today was constructed on the South Bank in 1976.

Laurence Olivier Photo (Old Vic) 

The Old Vic first opened in May 1818

http://oldviclegacy.devspace.net/about-the-old-vic/history/

As a fan, or well-wisher, or supporter, whatever we want to call ourselves, of Richard Armitage for a few years now, I have to wonder what this moment is like for him personally.  How does he feel to see his name above the title and to be at the Old Vic, knowing the history of this theater, and the legendary actors, like Laurence Olivier, who came before him.  

(Sources: Britannica.com, Rob Wilton's Theatricalia, Wikipedia, The Old Vic)

London Calling - Crucible Meet and Greet Yesterday

Great meet&greet for #thecrucible @oldvictheatre yesterday. Brilliant to see #ovnvalumni @MaramaCorlett in the cast and Mark Maughan as AD!
— Old Vic New Voices (@oldvicnewvoices) May 16, 2014