Other Stuff...

On Friday 21st November we made our way to the Gielgud Theatre in London to see the awesomely talented Bill Bailey in Tinselworm. Little to say about this without giving away his stage show, except that it was the funniest evening we’ve had in ages. I’ve decided that BB really is the funniest man alive! Many times throughout the evening my ribs hurt and I was crying with laughter. By the time the end came, during which he showed a short film which tied up all the elements of his show, I think I’d stopped breathing from laughing so hard. It was such an enjoyable evening that we’re thinking of going again at the end of the run if we can get tickets. The core of the show will be the same, but his ad-libbing will ensure that the evening is completely different and yet still hysterically funny.

On reading Mugglenet one morning I discovered that Waterstone’s at Picadilly were holding a midnight launch party for J.K. Rowling’s Beedle the Bard on Wednesday 3^rd December including a live Mugglecast podcast. Of course this was a definite for me, although Mrs H3 wasn’t quite so keen to begin with. As luck would have it the evening also contained the premiere of ‘Twilight’ at Leicester Square and the prospect of standing around in the freezing cold to catch a glimpse of the stars (Robert Pattinson, I mean of course – well for me at least) finally sold her on the idea.

So it was that we did indeed stand in the cold for two hours, and actually did manage the tiniest glimpse of RP (see the photo below for the proof). We then spent a couple of hours keeping warm in Pizza Hut before finally joining the enthusiastic (and generally rather young) Potter fans in Waterstone’s. Of course Mrs H3 and I took full advantage of the evening, first getting fine balloon crowns and then getting rather spectacular face paint. I had the somewhat unsettling experience of being filmed and interviewed by a TV reporter whilst my face was being painted. I found it hard as I didn’t have my glasses on and so couldn’t focus properly, and because I was asked questions about my age – did I feel that I fit into the demographic of the average Harry Potter reader? I was enthusiastic and positive which I think was what they wanted. Whether it was used or not I have absolutely no idea, but if you saw a woman with bright red hair and a glittery green butterfly on her face anywhere on TV, then that was me.

So finally at midnight, the book was unveiled by Albus Dumbledore and Rubeus Hagrid who gave them out to all the attendees. The first person to receive their book was a girl from Germany who had come dressed in school robes with Luna’s lion head hat, who had won the dress-up competition. Mrs H3 and I went for the opposite option and became the second to last (me) and last (her) people to receive ours. A little more schmoozing and photo opportunities with the members of Mugglecast (Matt, Jamie, Elysa and Andrew) and then we were out into the night after collecting our Beedle the Bard back pack on the way out of the door.

Of course this meant a walk through Leicester Square still in our face paint and not only did we receive the attentions of several strange men we also got offered the chance to go into many of the clubs free-of-charge. It wasn’t long before we realized that we had missed the last tube (I had parked at O2 assuming that we would be getting the Jubilee line back there) and also the last trains. This meant traversing Trafalgar Square and meeting yet more strange young men to find the night bus to Catford. (It is amazing how popular you become when you’re covered in paint!)

Once on the bus I immediately began to read my book, thinking a 45 minute journey was too good to waste. Mrs H3 chose instead to grin maniacally out the window at people and try to scare them, which I think she did pretty well. A cold walk and then a lift by Mrs H3 back to my car later and then I was on my way home. I finally got in at 3.45am where I quickly finished the final story (of course) before going to bed. Luckily I was working at home the following day - not so lucky for Mrs H3. She not only had to go to work, but had a boring citizenship ceremony to sit through. But we agreed that it had been a completely brilliant evening, and once again a real laugh.

Anyway we’ve now got our tickets booked to see ‘Twilight’ when it’s released on Friday at O2 Vue. This will be after the DS&C Christmas Party – which is shaping up to be rather an interesting afternoon. Have to admit I can’t wait to see it - and after seeing him at the premiere – even Mrs H3 admitted that Robert Pattinson is GORGEOUS.