Haven't posted here in ages, but I'm in a bit of a fangirl daze. Went to see the Di Trevis Pinter-Proust staged reading at the 92nd Street Y in NY last night with Abby (@playazindaback) starring an ensemble cast, which included Richard Armitage. The play was more than just a "staged reading" as the actors were not just sitting with script in hand-- they had their blocking down and were moving about as though they were in full performance. And though they had scripts in their hands, they knew their lines enough to convey proper emotion, etc. Amazing, really, given they just had 4 days or actually 3 1/2 days as Peter Clement, the actor playing Marcel, told us afterwards.
The play itself is an adaptation by Ms. Trevis of a Harold Pinter screenplay of Marcel Proust's 7 volumes Remembrance of Things Past or In Search of Lost Time.
Here's a Monty Python skit on the Proust tome
Richard played several roles (Di said that this reading had 12 actors playing the 27 roles) one being Swann, the main character of the first volume.
Of course, we came to see this reading because of Richard. But he really showed us why. There was a scene where Richard was seemingly gliding across the stage with Lara Hillier (Odette) while music was expressing Swann's new found love for Odette. It was so sensual. I wish I'd gotten a video of it. It did make me take out my camera to sneak in some shots.
Our focus was, of course, Richard. Even if a bit blurry:
Odette & Swann
During the first half I was in the balcony but in the 2nd I found a closer seat directly in the center. Still photos are a bit fuzzy due to lighting and me trying to be discreet.
Unfortunately, I developed a headache during the 2nd half and it affected my attentiveness. I really need to read up on Proust and might read the Pinter bio now too.
After the play someone asked if Richard to come out. He obliged and actually met each and everyone that stayed to meet him. He was what everyone else had already mentioned, he is just lovely. He was polite, funny (loved the selfies he took with several people-- askstl;ahsd), grounded, and obviously just as handsome up close. I was so afraid he was going to just meet the first few people up front, so I along with many others were a teensy pushy (sorry) but really, everyone was patient overall. I learnt I had nothing to worry about. He stayed. He signed autographs for those requesting, took tons of photos with adoring fans, and accepted a few gifts (book, Thorin plush toy). He never lost his patience and his sense of humor. When I said, "thank you" he replied, "no, thank you"!!! I asked if he minded all of the attention and clamouring for photos, etc and he said, "No. It's fine." I tried to mention a small world story how Jed Brophy and I lived in the same flat in Dunedin, but it was really hard to get a real conversation in with everyone waiting and he was fair... spread out his time for everyone.
Richard and me... note the hand.
I'm married with 3 boys. Not usually one to wait for a celebrity. I tend to give them polite distance and never ask for autographs (still don't). But, I just had to wait, meet him, get a photo with him... Because of Reasons.
I guess I just had to put my head against his shoulder.
Back to reality, motherhood and posting on My Kids Really Eat This.
