The 24th March 2001 was the last night of the 2000/2001 cast, so it was chosen as a good date for a costume meet. We all saw the show twice (some of us three times ;) ) and a good time was had by all. Here's my illustrated trip report for the weekend.

My trip started at 1:30pm on Friday 23rd March, when I caught the train from Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston. I arrived in London at about 5pm (half an hour late - everything you've heard about Virgin Trains is true) and hauled my suitcase through the Tube to Victoria, where I met Pally. We went into Victoria station to get something to eat, and I had to get out my new wig to show her, and put it on one of the four wig heads that I'd carried down from Manchester (that's why I had such a big suitcase for one weekend, it was full of polystyrene). Here's a nice picture of my wig, on my desk in Manchester:

Anyway, we had something to eat then we went over to the theatre, bought our tickets, and waited for TW. She came, we went in, and watched the show. The most noteworthy thing about the performance was the POTO-esque announcement during the interval (which ran 15 minutes longer than normal), 'due to the indisposition of Mr Adrian Hansel, for the remainder of the performance the part of Rusty will be played by Darryl Paul.' The only other understudies were Danni Kearsley-Wooller as Buffy and Barry McNeill as Electra.

That night I stayed at Pally's. New random quote: as we were walking to catch the train, TW said 'there're always trains coupling at the station near my house. I mean, like, get a shed!'. Well, it made us laugh....anyway, we went back to Pally's. Once there we watched a suitably StExy video while we worked on finishing odd bits of costumes for the next day. Finally got to bed about 2am, woken at 6, 7, 8 and 9 by Pally's cat Purdy miaowing in my face. At 9am I gave up on sleep, showered, dressed, and headed downstairs to do some more last minute costume bits. At about quarter to 11 Pally and I went over to the hotel where Kirsty was staying to pick her up, and we met Tom coming over from the station on the way back.

Tom had my costume so I gave him chocolate for bringing my skates (useful point to remember with my brother - give him chocolate and he'll do practically anything). Then Heather and Stacey arrived, and we all started getting changed into our costumes, putting on makeup and wigs and running round the house in our skates.

We went over to the station to catch the 1pm train. Whilst waiting on the platform we had great fun waving at all the trains as they passed through the station and making the drivers beep their horns (you know you're obsessed with Starlight Express when you flirt with real trains....;) ). When we got to Victoria we skated up and down in front of the theatre, making spectacles of ourselves in public and scaring passersby, which is of course the whole point of a costume meet. About 2pm my parents arrived, which was great because I hadn't seen them for months (well, a month for my mum, three months for my dad). We also met Lucy and Jen, and we bought our standing tickets. Here are some nice photos of us outside the theatre:

Tom as Rocky 3

Kirsty as Joule

Coupla pics of me

There's an office building (I think) just down Wilton Road from the theatre, and there's a tiled area in front of it that's great for skating on, so we do. I think we provide entertainment for the receptionist. Kirsty as Joule, Heather as Dinah, Jared as Rocky 1, TW as Pearl, Madeline as Wrench and Tom as Rocky 3

I love this picture. Jared is the little Rocky 1, and Tom is the every-so-slightly-taller Rocky 3. Also Wrench and TW in the background

We stood for the matinee. The performance was great, sadly Leyla (Dinah) was losing her voice and she fluffed the end of Rolling Stock Reprise, I felt so sorry for her! We had the entire first cast (as we did in the evening). The only funny thing that happened was when Flat Top threw his brick into the audience, it wasn't properly attached to the chain, and he actually threw it and hit someone. I don't expect he got it back. =)

Between performances we went over to the food court in Victoria station and scared small children (I think I did, anyway), then skated about some more, meeting up with Sarah and Emma as well, who were coming to the evening show but not the matinee. Also saw some of the actors going in and out, and I gave Adrian the bear that I dressed for him, and he liked it, so that was all good.

Rusty bear!

The evening performance was equally great. I was trying hard to remember every single second, but I kept forgetting and just watched the performance (there's a subtle distinction ;) ). Our seats were right at the front, stage right, and I was right next to the track with Sarah on my left and Pally in front of me. It's a totally different show when you're that close to the stage, being able to see the expressions on the actors' faces is amazing, and something I'm not used to. Just before race 4, when Ashley came onstage, she'd attached two chimneys to the back of her wig....she looked kinda like a bunny. ;) They all saw us sitting there, and smiled and waved as they went past on the track. At the end of the show some of the swings came onstage for a last skate about, and they were all running round and hugging each other....during the lap of honour they all slapped hands with those of us next to the track.

AFter the show we hung out by the stage door, of course, and said goodbye to people, and gave them bears and cards for goodbye. It was all kinda sad. But now, more photos:

TW looking rather surprised (doubtless because I'd just shoved a camera in her face)

Jen (Purse) and Pally (Belle)

Wrench

Kirsty

Isn't he cute? Jared, with Wrench and Kirsty in the background

That night I stayed at Pally's again, then got the train back to Manchester on Sunday afternoon. It took four and a quarter hours, when it should've taken three. I HATE Virgin Trains.

Want more interesting trip details? Read Pally's trip report!