Olivier Awards - 28th April 2013

The Olivier Awards are the British equivalent to the Tony Awards, the theatre equivalent (in my eyes) to the Oscars; they are the most prestigious theatre awards in the UK! And when such huge names are announced as attending, you know full well I was going to be there to see them walk down the red carpet.

This year, the awards were held on the 28th April at the stunning Royal Opera House, in Covent Gardens, London. The huge red carpet was laid out from the entrance and straight down the road towards to the turning for the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Barriers laid out either side for the fans to stand behind.

We arrived in Covent Gardens at 11:30, a whole 5 and a half hours before the stars were due to walk the carpet. It was a good decision on our part to do so. By midday, we had given into the fact we would have to queue, but luckily there was not too many people waiting. Many were autograph collectors, those people who then sell them ebay. It does annoy me when they turn as they can take the chance away from genuine fans to meet their favourite celebrities. Amazingly, one was actually really nice and texted me a list of confirmed guests coming to the awards!

At 2pm, we finally got to head to the barriers to get our place and we got a great place, at the front about half way up the carpet and away from the press pit. Then all we could is watch what little was happening for the next three hours. Finally 5pm arrived and it was time for the stars to arrive and walk the red carpet. Once the big names started arriving, it went nuts. It was completely crazy, so much noise, but luckily not too much pushing!

We were very lucky to meet Vicky Entwistle, Myleene Klass, Lynda Bellingham, James Bourne, Anita Dobson, Brian May, Tim Minchin, Gina Beck, Louise Dearman, David Suchet, Idina Menzel, Rupert Everett, Daniel Radcliffe and Heather Headley.

We had come up to the event with three specific people in mind of meeting, Matthew Morrison, Idina Menzel and Daniel Radcliffe. Sadly, there was so much noise for Matthew, that despite us calling, we did not get to meet, which did sadden both me and Rachael. But this made up with meeting Idina, though we only got her autograph but at least we met her. But we got to meet Daniel, which really made our day. The publicist who was with him, spotted me and Rachael calling for him and she got him to come over to us. He walked up to Rachael, shook her hand and asked her name, I think Rachael was quite taken aback with just how polite he was. Luckily, he agreed to a photo while he signed an autograph for us, which the Olivier Awards tweeted via Instagram!

A big thank you must go out to both Tim Minchin and Rupert Everett for agreeing to stop for me and Rachael to sign an autograph despite being in rush to go in! Also a big thank you must go to the absolutely delightful Anita Dobson, who was kind enough to go and get her husband, the legendary Brian May to come over and meet us too! Both of them were so great to meet and I must remember to pass on Anita's love to my mum!

We also got to meet Gina and Louise for the third time. Gina did remember us and agreed to another photo as our previous one had not come out as well as I had hoped last time round. Louise also looked absolutely stunning in her black gown and we told her how we were looking forward to seeing her perform as Elphaba in Wicked when we hopefully go in the summer! Imelda Staunton walked past around the same time and actually recognised us from the What's On Stage Awards, so that was a much added bonus!

All in all, the day and experience was absolutely amazing. We may not have met everyone we wanted to meet, but we got to meet Daniel Radcliffe, which for us was the icing on the cake on this amazing event! We enjoyed so much, that we fully intend on going again next year!

Potter Potter - 14th April 2013

Everyone who knows me, knows I love Harry Potter. I love the book series to the point that I would buy the new book at midnight and read it completely within 24 hours! I love the film series that I was prepared to go to the cinema by myself just to see it! And obviously I have been to the studio tour up at the original studios, which is the most magical experience. So when I received an email offering me discounted tickets to see Potted Potter, I immediately booked!

Simply put, Potted Potter is the unauthorised Harry Potter Experience, all seven books acted out in just 70 minutes, a parody written and performed by Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner, former CBBC presenters. The show started out as a simple street show to keep the fans amused while queuing at midnight to buy the latest book back in 2005. A year later, it had expanded into an hour long show, which eventually went on to be nominated for an Olivier Award and a What's on Stage Award.

The show has toured all around the world even finding its way to the bright lights of Broadway. But today we headed up to the famous Theatreland in the heart of the West End to see the show at The Garrick Theatre, currently home to the musical, Rock of Ages. The theatre is small and intimate which made it a great venue for the play to take place. We had managed to get stall seats just eight rows from the front. These seats were fantastic and there was no worry about someone tall sitting in front of us as the stage is high above the audience, giving a great view to all.

The show was ridiculously funny and despite being a family show, bordered on naughty at times! There were a couple of running jokes throughout the show. First, the lack of great props and scenery, which they jokingly said was because all the money being spent on a fire breathing dragon, which in the end, was just a puppet! Secondly, the fact that Dan had not read the books (obviously he has) and he kept mixing it up with Star Wars, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. They even joked about the stupidness of having The Hobbit (one book) spread out over three movies!

One of the funniest moments for me and I think most people in the audience, was the chance to play Quidditch. Obviously, no expense was spared for the props, with two hoops, hung over the balcony of the circle, a beach ball used for the Quaffle and Jeff dressed up as a snitch! No one scored a goal, but I did get a couple of touchs of the ball myself. To end the match, two children had been invited to be seekers and obviously this involved chasing the snitch (or Jeff in the case). It didn't last long as Jeff was caught by a little girl and literally slammed to floor! Dan used every chance for the rest of the show taking the mickey out of Jeff for being beaten by a little girl!

The show used silly props, a computer presentation and a song set to the tune of " I Will Survive" to tell the stories of the 7 books and was brilliant and so cleverly done! I was crying of laughter throughout the entire performance. This is a definite must see for all Potter fans!