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Post by callygirl on May 24, 2008 6:01:12 GMT 9.5
Hi Folks - as promised here is the full run down of the Stirling experience. Sitting comfortably? - then I'll begin.
Hels and I managed to locate each other due to that infallible device that is Mandadar. It's as powerful as gaydar but the range finder is different!
The theatre held about 200 seats and it was about 60% full. There were a few spaces so Hels asked the big burly theatre bloke if we could change seats.
"There you go ladies" he said, "Two of the best seats in our exclusive Squeeing Section, enjoy the show."
So, in the best theatre tradition, the lights went down and we settled down with a sense of anticipation that I haven't experienced since Pot Noodle brought out a new flavour.
Miranda opened the show reading from behind a screen thing and then the dancers appeared. To let you understand - the programme blurb said that the show was about human relationships and stuff but to be honest we both thought the connection a bit tenous. After the first ten minutes of some skinny bloke throwing himself around on a stage we both looked at each other and shrugged.
" I think this is supposed to be about the evolution of man?"
"Nah - I think it's about sex."
"Probably - oh look- Manda's back on, yay!"
I have to say that some of the music is quite funky and I indulged in some light hearted toe tapping. I would describe the choreography as excellent, the dancers worked really well together and the movement was superb.
" Any more ideas what this is about? "
"Nope - haven't a clue - how long to the interval? I'm gasping for a drink"
So my friends - the second half unfolded with me firmly grasping my alcoholic beverage which I hoped would help me unravel the plot. I was going to have an icecream as well but thought that would be crossing the line into 'uncool'. Remember this is serious theatre, sitting slurping on a Cornetto is a serious social faux pas.
So the second half began with more people in clear need of medication hurling themselves around the stage punctuated by Miranda's narration.
" Oi, skinny, get off the stage and give us more Manda!"
Miranda has a lot of stage time - so you do get your money's worth. Her performance was flawless as always. Her narration really added to the show, although as I have said, both of us still don't have a clue what it was about. This is really 'arty' theatre - I think the best way to enjoy it is not to look too deep but enjoy the visuals and the performance. I make no apologies for being an intellectual pygmy, but obviously the meanings etc were lost on me!
Miranda was wearing a plain black dress and death defying high heels. We both commented that the dress made her look heavy as it seemed to billow out at the front, but this looked strange as the rest of her looked fairly skinny.
So - the show ended and we made our way to the bar for some much needed liquid refreshment - maybe some more alcohol would help me understand the show! We were just about to settle down on the comfy sofa things to contentedly sip our respective beverages when poor Hels suddenly uttered in a reverential tone...
" Look, Look - - behind you! Look!! LooooK "
I was a bit worried as I thought she was about to faint and my first aid certificate ran out last year. I slowly put my drink down and tried to look around the room in a nonchalant, bored kind of a way...
I looked around to see our Manda approaching our seated area with the rest of the cast. If ever there was a time to have perfected the silent hyperventilation trick this was it. She sat down with the cast at a table approx 10 feet (don't know what it is in metric), yes 10 feet away from us! By this time we were both transfixed - yes I know I am old enough to know better, but it was a surreal experience.
The amazing thing I noticed - Miranda is actually quite small and delicate looking, the midget feet line is definitely spot on! lol! I thought she looked really slim as well. It's amazing that she has played a lot of powerful characters because in the flesh she looks so delicate, as I have said. Just shows you how talented she is - as if I have to tell anybody here that!
Here's something for the obsessives amongst you - Miranda has a black flip style mobile phone - I think it was a Motorola V3 - it looked very like mine. For the truly obsessive - sorry I couldn't decipher the ringtone, wasn't a tune I was familiar with.
It was so bizarre to hear her laughing and talking with the others at the table - it was just like her giggle in Taste of My Life! She has a lovely smile and appeared to be happy, relaxed and enjoying herself.
What was really nice was that in the show there was a section performed by a local kids dance group. A few of them got up to leave and went over to the table to say goodbye - Miranda was genuinely nice to them and told them that they had all done really well. This made them skip off grinning from ear to ear and was sweet to see. I think she also bought a round at the bar - v. important!
So, as the evening progressed, Hels and I were getting a bit bolder. We hatched a plan - we would try and time our toilet visits to co-incide with Miranda's - y'know, just to exchange a casual "Hi Miranda - fab show 'n' stuff" whilst sharing the hand dryer.
This was the cunning plan formulated by our two plucky heroines.
I waited and waited until my bladder would take no more and had no option but to go. The combination of draught mixers and ice cubes had really got me, and despite at least 3 trips to the ladies it was to prove fruitless as Miranda was stuck to her seat all night. Could it be that Manda has a infinite bladder capacity to prevent such potentially hazardous squeeing encounters? Is this something they teach at the Old Vic?
Anyways - we stayed till the bitter end and left just before Miranda's table - can't be too obvious y'know!
" Jeezo - is that the time?"
"I can't find my car!"
Overall - this is not the kind of show I would have gone to if Miranda wasn't appearing. Don't let that detract from it - lovers of contemporary dance will enjoy it as the performances were excellent. The dancers were quite clearly highly skilled and talented and executed the movements very well - how they remembered all their steps I don't know! It's unfortunately not my cup of Earl Grey but each to their own.
Here's hoping we get to see Miranda back up here before too long!
Report filed by Officer Callygirl of the Miranda Squee Battallion (Northern Division)
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Post by helen on May 24, 2008 7:33:53 GMT 9.5
Officer Helen of the Miranda Squee Batallion (Northern Division) reporting for duty. Miranda has a lot of stage time - so you do get your money's worth. Her performance was flawless as always. Her narration really added to the show, although as I have said, both of us still don't have a clue what it was about. This is really 'arty' theatre - I think the best way to enjoy it is not to look too deep but enjoy the visuals and the performance. I make no apologies for being an intellectual pygmy, but obviously the meanings etc were lost on me! The meanings were lost on me too, I'm afraid! Miranda read fantastically, though. Miranda was wearing a plain black dress and death defying high heels. We both commented that the dress made her look heavy as it seemed to billow out at the front, but this looked strange as the rest of her looked fairly skinny. The dress didn't do her any favours, but judging by her face and arms, she's lost quite a bit of weight. Either that, or the camera really does add 10 pounds. So - the show ended and we made our way to the bar for some much needed liquid refreshment - maybe some more alcohol would help me understand the show! We were just about to settle down on the comfy sofa things to contentedly sip our respective beverages when poor Hels suddenly uttered in a reverential tone... " Look, Look - - behind you! Look!! LooooK " I was a bit worried as I thought she was about to faint and my first aid certificate ran out last year. I slowly put my drink down and tried to look around the room in a nonchalant, bored kind of a way... My side of the story. Callygirl was returning with the drinks. Suddenly, I saw a familiar blonde woman approaching. It was Her. Miranda. In the same room as us. It struck me that she looks a lot younger and prettier in real life. As Callygirl said, she sat down about 10 feet away from us. I don't know how the pair of us remained so calm! Anyway, she seemed like a very nice person, very smiley and chatty. She seemed very supportive of the dancers in the show. We didn't approach her, as she was in her free time. So, as the evening progressed, Hels and I were getting a bit bolder. We hatched a plan - we would try and time our toilet visits to co-incide with Miranda's - y'know, just to exchange a casual "Hi Miranda - fab show 'n' stuff" whilst sharing the hand dryer. This was the cunning plan formulated by our two plucky heroines. I waited and waited until my bladder would take no more and had no option but to go. The combination of draught mixers and ice cubes had really got me, and despite at least 3 trips to the ladies it was to prove fruitless as Miranda was stuck to her seat all night. Could it be that Manda has a infinite bladder capacity to prevent such potentially hazardous squeeing encounters? Is this something they teach at the Old Vic? The woman's got a strong bladder! I bet that the second we left, she went! Anyways - we stayed till the bitter end and left just before Miranda's table - can't be too obvious y'know! I think my fangirlish reaction to her entering the room made it obvious. I'm not sure if she noticed, though. " Jeezo - is that the time?" "I can't find my car!"! Yes, I did lose my car. In all the excitement, I couldn't remember where I'd parked the thing! Overall - this is not the kind of show I would have gone to if Miranda wasn't appearing. Don't let that detract from it - lovers of contemporary dance will enjoy it as the performances were excellent. The dancers were quite clearly highly skilled and talented and executed the movements very well - how they remembered all their steps I don't know! It's unfortunately not my cup of Earl Grey but each to their own. I'd agree with that. I enjoyed it, because it was different to what I'd normally go to see, but I don't think I'll make a habit of going to see contemporary dance shows. Here's hoping we get to see Miranda back up here before too long! We'd better. But before we do, get your first aid certificate renewed! I can't promise I won't faint next time! Officer Helen of the Miranda Squee Battallion (Northern Division). |
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Post by Lane of Magic on May 24, 2008 8:38:03 GMT 9.5
Awww, thanks so much for sharing this with us! It must have been truly wonderful indeed!
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Post by Rita, Oh Yes! on May 24, 2008 13:38:50 GMT 9.5
OMG, how exciting! And what a fantastic report (I find myself grinning like a loon). LOL at bladder of steel. It was a very cunning plan. Pity she must know a lot about Cunning Plans and How to Foil Them from her time in Blackadder. In a way, though, it might have been better to have just been able to able to observe her 'out of character' for a time. If her reaction when I was 'hi!' after the Wah Wah premiere is anything to go by, her reaction to being greeted by fans in the confines of a bathroom might have been even more deer-in-the-headlights. Jealous that you got to spend so long basking in the glow of her presence  |
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Post by Mandy on May 24, 2008 18:49:32 GMT 9.5
you're so lucky  |
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Post by goddessqueen on May 24, 2008 20:36:27 GMT 9.5
Thanks for the report! Cant wait till June!
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Post by Kathleen on May 25, 2008 8:38:49 GMT 9.5
You guys are so lucky. I never see celebrities. I'm not sure I would have wanted to be in the bathroom with her though, it's a little creepy lol.
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Post by EarlyBird on May 25, 2008 8:59:43 GMT 9.5
I think I'd look at her and just be thinking 'am I dreaming, I am actually in the same room as Miranda'. You are lucky girls. Miranda *squee* lol
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Post by callygirl on May 25, 2008 11:42:40 GMT 9.5
Rita said... " her reaction to being greeted by fans in the confines of a bathroom might have been even more deer-in-the-headlights. " Kathleen said... " I'm not sure I would have wanted to be in the bathroom with her though, it's a little creepy lol. " Lol - can I just clarify the bathroom thing just in case anyone thinks I have a weird fetish -  There was no way I would have gone up to the table so this seemed the only legitimate way to say a very quick " fab show etc etc ". and run away again. A kind of 'oh my - didn't notice you there' type of moment! lol In hindsight it would have been smarter to go to the bar and get the drinks in at the same time! I definitely think that celebs get really fed up with, and are wary of, people who want to engage them in long conversations, or even worse, latch on to them. I think a 20 second exchange of "fab show or whatever" is best as no one feels threatened or even worse, cornered. Say your few words and then get out of their face. I think Miranda would have been ok with that. It's so important to be respectful as has been said here many times. I still can't get over it - it was a great night with such an unexpected bonus. I hope the folks going to the later shows let us know all about it! |
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Post by Clive on May 25, 2008 11:54:19 GMT 9.5
Thanks for sharing the experience with us  |
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Post by Rita, Oh Yes! on May 25, 2008 12:14:19 GMT 9.5
Yeah, definitely, Cally - wasn't implying that you were creepy, lol. I too would enjoy a casual 'love the show' bathroom moment. I was referring to my own experience saying 'hi love your work' to her, after the Wah Wah premiere. She was kinda deer in headlights then, and she had plenty of room to get away. Maybe she wasn't expecting fans to actually be in the cinema though, only outside, or maybe I just looked like a rabid fangirl  . |
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Post by Incapability on May 25, 2008 17:20:10 GMT 9.5
Wow, thanks a lot for sharing this!
*goes back to squeeing*
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Post by helen on May 26, 2008 6:56:15 GMT 9.5
Rita said... " her reaction to being greeted by fans in the confines of a bathroom might have been even more deer-in-the-headlights. " Kathleen said... " I'm not sure I would have wanted to be in the bathroom with her though, it's a little creepy lol. " Lol - can I just clarify the bathroom thing just in case anyone thinks I have a weird fetish - There was no way I would have gone up to the table so this seemed the only legitimate way to say a very quick " fab show etc etc ". and run away again. A kind of 'oh my - didn't notice you there' type of moment! lol In hindsight it would have been smarter to go to the bar and get the drinks in at the same time! Backing up the clarification, nothing creepy involved. It did seem like the least intrusive way of talking to her, kind of like an accidental meeting. There was no way on earth that we'd have approached her at the table while she was having a well deserved after show drink with her castmates. Going to the bar at the same time would have been a smarter move. Although, I think she bought her round while we were still in "oh my God!" mode! I still can't get over it - it was a great night with such an unexpected bonus. I know what you mean. I still can't believe it! |
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Post by Morgause on May 27, 2008 21:09:37 GMT 9.5
I'm jealous of you two! No, I'm not, indeed I'm happy for you two, great luck!! Well, I can still hope (and dream!) that Miranda one day will come here to spend some nice vacations and then I will have my moment too of be peacefully walking in the streets of Lisbon's downtown and suddenly see her coming on the opposite direction! *ok, end of the dream!* Great report, very funny indeed! ;D And about the bladder, well, some people truly born with that talent! |
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Post by Rita, Oh Yes! on May 27, 2008 23:28:51 GMT 9.5
She just didn't want to 'break the seal', obviously |
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There was no way I would have gone up to the table so this seemed the only legitimate way to say a very quick " fab show etc etc ". and run away again. A kind of 'oh my - didn't notice you there' type of moment! lol In hindsight it would have been smarter to go to the bar and get the drinks in at the same time!
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