Later that night Feli came by to tell us she had also forgotten to collect our duffel bags. This was after the show and quite late so I was awakened out of a sound sleep. We discussed our plans for 5/10, knowing that Kid would be arriving then and had promised to try and get tickets for us, kind soul that he is. We agreed to meet at the theatre before dinner and Feli went on home.
We spent the next morning at the British Museum, which is just around the corner from the hostel where Pounce and Co were staying. So it shouldn’t surprise you that we ran into him on our way back to the hotel. He was just coming back from the NLT and told us that many former Cats were there along with Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cameron MacKintosh, and Gillian Lynne, preparing for the big finale on the last night. Feli was already there, he said, and he was going back as soon as he retrieved his autograph book from the hostel. We were supposed to meet Kid around 6PM, but I decided I didn’t want to miss the chance to see a whole load of Cats alumni. Dad and I returned to the hotel so we could change for the theatre, then we walked on over.
Feli was indeed there, and Pounce soon joined us. He had taken time to don his Carbucketty costume and makeup, though he was wearing a jogging suit over it. Piece by piece he took the suit off, then added the wig and warmers to the unitard, and about then the performers began coming out the front door.
Jason Gardiner was the first. He smiled and waved when he saw us, then stood on the street corner as if waiting for someone. He was eventually joined by some of the other cast (including Clint) and they went along to the Outlander, a pub down the street.
Elaine Paige was the next that I remember. Carbucketty got her autograph. More came out after her, most of whom I didn’t recognize. Feli was producing a running commentary in an undertone, telling me names and who each one played. I was able to recognize a few, like Jacob Brent, who came out with his cell phone glued to his ear.
I noticed that when the performers came out, they would consistently look at us and either smile and wave or give us a funny look. At first I was puzzled, but then I remembered that Pounce, the tallest of us all, was in costume and guaranteed to attract attention. Sebastian Rose saw him and laughed, calling, “You’ve certainly got the Carbucketty look down pat.” And another lady (a former Grizabella, Feli told us) was there with her young children, including one in a stroller, and brought them over to look at him. She particularly wanted the baby to see him, but naturally the kid was looking everywhere except at Pounce.
One memorable bit occurred when there were a lot of the cast standing out in front of the theatre. I spotted Jo Bingham and David Ashley standing next to each other. Jo was about to leave and she turned her face up to David, her lips puckered. She was practically standing on her toes to reach him, being at least a foot shorter. He obligingly bent down and planted a noisy kiss on her lips. Interesting.But the most memorable moment, for me anyway, was when Frank Thompson came out. He is, you must know, my favourite from the video. I had seen several pictures of him and was expecting a tall, burly guy with longish blond hair. He was indeed tall and burly, but he had cut his blond hair quite short. For some reason that shocked me, and all I could do was stand there and gape. It was some time before I was able to pull myself together again. I think it was more the fact that I was actually seeing him in person that left me incapable of rational thought or speech, though. I was glad I got the chance, but I’d like to try again and see if I can approach him.
When all the cast had come out Feli and I went backstage to get my three bags. When we got back we were joined by some other fans, including Lisa, Rio, Jenkustrap, Swan, and eventually Kid. He went into the box office and emerged with a fistful of tickets that he had reserved and passed them out among us. He had a couple left over and went to the end of the line of people that were waiting for possible cancellations. He found a couple kids on their own who would have no chance of ever getting in, they were so far back, and gave them the tickets.
We went in, and since it looked like we weren’t going to get dinner tonight I bought a large Cadbury bar with nuts and raisins and split it with Dad. I noted to the guy at the candy booth that they seemed to have gotten rid of all their Easter eggs. He gave me a hard look, then said, “Oh yeah, you were here a couple days ago weren’t you?”
After the show we parked again at the stage door. I had gotten all the autographs that I wanted, but I was hoping to grab Gareth for a picture since I knew the one I had taken last night had not survived. I did succeed in catching him and my camera actually cooperated this time, hooray!
We were wondering what John Partridge was going to do to keep away from the rabid fans that were clustered eagerly around the door. We never saw him come out, and later learned that he had gone through the theatre and out the front door. Sneaky guy, but I guess I can understand.
Now Feli and I discussed what we were going to do tomorrow. Kid had given her a ticket for the matinee show. He’d offered me one but I turned it down because I wanted to see what the promised activity in Covent Garden was going to be. We already knew that the final show would be transmitted to a big screen in the Piazza there and both Feli and I would be there for that. So we decided to meet at the Covent Garden tube station around noon and then play it by ear.