#NYE london

[thecreationofevelyn]

1st of January 2023

Happy New Year!

Last night's NYE celebrations were fun and exhausting, we walked for such a long time but we were lucky to have an exceptional view of the firework display, as you can see from the video below!

January 1st I traveled home, feeling sore and happy; I'm beginning to truly believe that it is imperative to live the life your soul asks for; although it seems only a small thing to others to have gone to the display, I have spent years seeing it on the tv and wishing I could experience it firsthand, that I could celebrate my new years with the people that care for and love me and revel in everyone joy of entering a new year. It was a big thing for me to actually be there and witness it. It was me taking one of the first steps towards chasing the dreams and goals that I have, even the small ones.

I returned home, unpacked, and gave my cats a good snuggling; I'm thankful for my neighbors who care for them while I'm away so they don't get lonely.

Here's to beginning a new year!

[the-vertical-woman]

My Business Life

The events industry is far too big, and way too fickle, for me to wish to join as a competitor. Every year, many companies fade away, and completely disappear off the radar.

I have however, had to organise specifics for many parties: with regards dancers, colour themes, interactions, classes, venues, choreography, costumes for performers and clients, etc…

Communication is key, of course; although I do find a large number of customers are still complaining about the lack thereof. I pride myself in being a listener, and an adviser. I use my life experience, my contacts with various cultural backgrounds; in my own approach to helping people bond with each-other at a party.  Dance can be an extremely powerful way to bring people together; within a non-threatening emotional pétri-dish.

Contact me, Sandrine:

www.corporate-entertainment.club

Have a great day!

[aydracz]

Went to London to see Nye and to meet my favourite Welshman.

Told him I was a bit anxious to talk to him because I had a dream about meeting him a few days before, in which it all went horribly wrong. Because in that dream, when I asked him if he could sign my Good Omens book, he got angry, said 'I don't do that' and walked away.

The real Michael Sheen was quite amused by this and promised me not to do anything of that sort. And he didn't!

I am very happy to report that Michael Sheen really does sign Good Omens books and will not walk away if you ask him!

[greeneyed-thestral]

I MET MICHAEL SHEEN. 16/03/24, National Theatre

So, if you've read my post about booking tickets to see Michael, you know all about my what-ifs. But the day was finally here.

I arrived at the National Theatre, followed all the Nye signs and here's the Olivier Theatre. I made my sister buy me the show's programme, hoping I would be able to get it signed.

I find my seat, I'm not in the centre but the stage still feels very close and you can see everything (amphitheatres are always the best).

Lights out. The audience is in religious silence. Can't believe I'm actually here, this is happening.

[skip this part in smaller font, if you want to avoid spoilers] In the words of Staged, he really loses himself in his roles. First of all, it's great to hear him speak in a Welsh accent.

But then we also see him turning back into a child, and you can totally believe he's young and innocent again. His stutter feels so real, his struggle and sadness too. The entire ensamble is great during the classroom scene, where they all help Nye against their bullying teacher (using those big canes to make him look scary really works). Hearing young Nye confessing that at times he thinks he 'shouldn't exist' because of who he is was a gut punch; Michael's delivery of that whole part is incredible, in that moment he really becomes a little boy that allows himself to feel vulnerable and says something dark to a friend. The way he jumps while saying "I can visualise and enunciate!" made me wanna jump too, he was ready to give up and then he found the solution through books, it's the joy and relief you feel when you realise that there is another way and your life is not over.

Now, I've watched musicals all my life and let me tell you that man is meant to be in one. He opened his mouth and all I could see was someone that had been waiting a long time for the occasion to show his talent, truly showstopping. He was so free and happy and confident, singing and dancing spectacularly. I couldn't stop smiling and giggling, we all clapped.

It's clear he means every word he says, and when he points and shouts his political arguments at the audience, those who feel called out must be shaking; I thought 'This is how people in Ancient Greece must have felt everytime they went to the theatre'. His Nye is inspiring, passionate, someone you'd want to follow, he stands up for what he believes in and lets nothing get in his way.

We get to watch him flirt, on all fours, waggling his 'tail'; everytime we think we've seen all he's capable of, he does something like this and surprises us.

But most of all, we see him being scared, first of having to do something, and then of not being able to do enough for all of us. At one point everyone has requests for Nye and I was expecting him to shout "Heal yourselves!" like Jesus in JCS, it totally conveyed what it must have been like to be in his role at the time, overwhelmed with daunting responsibilities.

In general, I appreciated the fact that it wasn't a linear biography, they chose life moments that have universal situations everyone can relate too, like they do in bio-musicals. I loved the staging. The colour palette is so recognisable; the curtains and the beds are used in many different ways so everything is explored at its full potential.

He is on stage basically all the time for more than two hours (sometimes twice a day, can you imagine?). Also barefoot and in his pajamas from start to finish, he looks like a teddy bear you just want to hug and protect.

He bows, looks at Nye's achievements, then leaves the stage.

Standing ovation, applause. I go back to the theatre lobby, I was supposed to wait for my sister, but she's late. Meanwhile, a fan asks me how to get to the Stage Door. I start too fear that I'm going to miss my chance if I keep waiting inside, so I decide to go on my own. After no more than 5 minutes, he's outside with us. Forget Nye, I am living my fever dream. He has just finished his second show of the day and yet he's smiling and listening to each and every one, signing and taking pictures. I know many have said this, but he really is an angel.

My sister arrives, and as soon as I'm sure she has the camera ready, I make my way to him. The two girls next to me who were speaking to him needed a pen and I lent them my sharpie, so I got my chance to look generous in front of him.

And suddently it was my turn. This is as much as my scrambled mind allows me to remember: I tell him I'm Francesca and I'm from Italy, he asks me how long I am going to stay, I confess that I had arrived that morning and just to see him, that I would be leaving already the following morning. I can't even focus while he's signing my programme, I just want to find the right words. I manage to say how I enjoyed seeing his passion, all these different sides of him and how watching him sing and dance has been the highlight of my evening. We take a picture together, I feel his hand on my shoulder and I realise my arm is around the waist of this person I love. I had to thank him again, telling him that he only deserves good things and that we are so lucky to have him. He wishes me a safe trip home, and I melt. I leave and I can't stop trembling. On my way back to the hotel I hold on tight to my signed programme and the sharpie that was in his hands just moments earlier. Only later I will realise that he's also written 'Ciao!', 'love' and 'X', without me asking for it or anything! Seeing him act live was a big gift already, but what followed outside was beyond my dreams. I can't look at the photos without blushing, the way he looks at me in the video and then also strokes my arm for a moment, I mean pinch me now.

The more I think about it, the more I can't believe it happened.

I want to thank everyone that under my first post pushed me and encouraged me to see the pros of doing this, I share this beautiful moment of my life with all of you. <3

[londonspirit]

So yeah, this happened Saturday...

... i'll do my usual London post later but I wanted to share these already!

We had planned on 'stalking' stage door as the play was sold out weeks ago. We managed to get tickets after all (it's a crazy story for later) - that man's a force of nature on stage - if you can, go and see NYE at the National; you're in for a treat too!!! *mumbles '[spoilers] and [redacted]' under breath*

And OF COURSE he was an absolute sweetheart afterwards!!! Even though Anna was waiting for him, he really took his time, made sure to talk to everyone, gave autographs and took pictures although he was tired!!! (And no, I have NO idea what's going on in the middle picture, I just noticed that he's staring RIGHT INTO MY SOUL!)

I LOVE London - city of all the opportunities!!

[noneorother]

So I went to go see Nye because I’m in London right now. The theatre was packed on a Tuesday night, and with good reason.

When I tell you my partner and I CRIED at the end of Nye, I don’t mean in a fun, cute way. Like an embarrassing, we’re surrounded by British people who don’t emote and they’re all just slightly misting oh my god stop, kind of way. It was so wonderful and heartbreaking, and a lot of that was because of Michael Sheen. He brings so much vulnerability and pathos to this role (even while belting a musical number, or literally on his knees shaking his butt for a girl). It’s impossible not to fall in love a little bit. The whole cast was amazing. Just go if you can.

[ktkellart]

Good Omens London Trip 🐍💞🪽

It's my Birthday today and I treated myself to a trip to London last weekend to see my favourite actor Michael Sheen in Nye at the National Theatre. I made the most of my weekend by combining it with a Good Omens filming location self-tour and I'd love to share it with you all. So, are you ready for the tour?

Here we go!

Starting off with Soho, and the inspiration for Whickber Street, where Aziraphale's bookshop, Give Me Coffee or Give Me Death, The Small Back Room, and the Dirty Donkey are located.

It’s Berwick Street and a record shop that is very similar in shape to A.Z Fell & Co. Bonus points for spotting Duck Lane!

Next is Berkeley Square, a short walk from Soho. The first two photos are of the real Berkeley Square gardens in Mayfair, and the last two photos were taken in the filming location of Tavistock Square across the other side of central London near Kings Cross. I’m sitting on their ‘body swap’ bench in the last photo!

As you can see, the benches are turned around facing inwards now but are the other way, facing outwards in Good Omens.

Oh, and I can confirm that there were no nightingales singing in either location 😭

Heading up the road a few minutes from Tavistock Square to The Enterprise pub where I met a fellow fan who kindly took photos of me posing (I bet the staff thought we were off our rockers!). This is where Crowley drowns his sorrows in Talisker Whisky whilst waiting for the world to end after thinking he'd lost Aziraphale. Omg that poor poor demon, he was really just gonna die along with the world.

Also, one of my favourite moments of season 1 is Crolwey's line: "I heard that. It was the wiggle-on..." then shrugs. 😆 So many emotions in such short a time.

Onto the Ritz. The first two photos are of the real Ritz (a stone's throw from Berkeley Square) and the last one is inside Masala Zone in Piccadilly Circus where the ‘Quite extraordinary amounts of alcohol’ and ‘To the World’ scenes were filmed.

I ate in here alone to get the photo and was so lucky with the table I was given! Perfect discreet snap whilst eating my curry! Haha!

Next up is Battersea Park and the Bandstand. It was a bit of a faff to get there, it's an 8-minute walk from the Battersea Power Station underground and we walked the full length of the park to find the Bandstand, but it was so worth it.

Also filmed here was Gabriel and Aziraphale’s run/jog. Poor Angel is soft scene.

The trees were a little leafier with it being mid-May and the park was very busy because the weather was glorious. They also have a beautiful lake here with herons!

The Heaven & Hell staircase escalators are right over the east side of London in Broadgate Tower, Bishopsgate. I got the overground to Liverpool Street station to get there. It is in a private business building so I politely/awkwardly asked the receptionist if I could take a photo and had to explain about the scene from Good Omens… eek! But he kindly let me snap a photo anyway! (Phew)

The Windmill Theatre was three minutes away from my hotel in Piccadilly Circus, so I wandered up the road to take a photo of where Aziraphale ‘performed on the West End stage’ as Fell the Marvelous. And wasn’t he just?

The scenes weren't filmed here but it was fun to find it anyway.

St James’s Park is up next! I sat on their bench and got my friend to take photos of me posing and had fun editing the first photo. Haha! We enjoyed walking through the park, watching the ducks on the lake and had a nosey at Buckingham Palace while we were there.

The Duke of York Statue steps are at the other end of St James's Park and were fun to walk up. I smiled to myself as I thought of the scene where Crowley says ‘Well let's have lunch? Hmm,’ and Aziraphale turns around, as it was the first time I realised that these two were more than just friends.

Heaven’s top floor, the Sky Garden in Fenchurch Street near Monument is a very tall building with a botanical garden on the top floor. You can visit the sky garden for free, but you do need to book in advance so it’s best to plan ahead for this one. The views of London are breathtaking from the 35th floor and the tropical plants are fun.

My last stop for this visit was Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. I booked a tour on the morning I was due to go home. The first tour is 10 am and lasts an hour, so I dashed off as soon as the tour guide was uttering his last words about the gift shop, across London back to Kings Cross to pick up my suitcase from luggage storage and get the 11:48 am train home!

One I missed and could have easily gone to is St Margaret Street where Newton and Shadwell meet, and Shadwell fleeces Newton for a cup of tea with nine sugars and pockets the change. A bit gutted I missed it to be honest – I love Jack Whitehall (I’m back in London with the family in June so I’ll swing by and update then!)

There are also some other locations a little further afield that I might try to visit on a later date, such as Shadwell's and Madam Tracy's flat down Hornsey Road in Islington, Crowley's Flat exterior in Eastfields Avenue, Best Cafe on Garratt Lane where Crowley meets Shadwell, Crystal Palace Dinosaur Park where the ineffable husbands watch Warlock defacing a dinosaur sign and Antonella's Cafe and Bistro where Crowley and Aziraphale are thinking of ideas to track down the antichrist whist Aziraphale eats cake.

Okay, I’m gonna finish up with the man himself. The very kind, very charming, and VERY patient Michael Sheen The reason for my London visit in the first place. Nye was spectacular OBviOUsLy, but he was super generous with his time at stage door for us all. I got a hug and asked him to pass it on to Aziraphale (that angel really needs a hug) and it made him laugh, which made my night!

Check out my reblog for extra locations when I visited London again a month later, and for a hilarious bonus photo of.... Gabriel??!

Here’s the wonderful map I used -

from this website:

[ingravinoveritas]

Just heard from one of my followers (and via someone on Twitter who is also there) that Michael is back in London and seeing Kiss Me, Kate on the West End tonight. I'm truly hoping he went to the show with David, and I can just picture them in the audience, waiting until the lights go down to hold hands. Leaning over periodically and whispering/giggling to each other in hushed tones as they try not to draw attention to themselves. Everyone around them knowing, but having the good grace not to say anything, and to leave them be on their date.

But yes. The Cardiff run of Nye ended a mere three days ago, and yet Michael has returned to London already to see his boyfriend. God, how you love to see it...

[happynachohologram]

Nacho's London Adventure

Part One (don't meet your heroes, unless they're Michael Sheen)

So I had fully resigned myself to the fact that I wasn't going to make it to see Nye, but apparently there was a limit to the number of times I could see people raving about it before I snapped and made a ridiculous impulse purchase...

And it couldn't really have turned out better!! The show was absolutely fantastic, really cleverly done and with a brilliant cast! Michael was an absolute dream to watch...and a total sweetheart to meet! He made time for everyone that had waited, and seemed genuinely happy to do so. He was so warm and friendly, and patient with me being an awkward, anxious mess. And that twinkly smile...I may never recover from having it aimed at me in real life!

[donotbelasagne]

Things I can confirm:

Michael Sheen is a brilliant stage actor.

Michael Sheen is a very lovely human being.

Michael Sheen gives good hugs.

I'm a bit awkward (who would've thunk lmao)

[aziralock]

I just met Michael Sheen at the stage door to Nye. And he was the kindest person. There were nearly 100 people waiting. They crowded him in and he handled everything with a grace and kindness that was just impressive. Especially since it was a 2-show-day.

He didn’t move on until the person he was talking to was truly done. It felt like he was very much aware of how important this was to a lot of people and treated them with respect.

Additionally the cast of Nye was so good. Everyone was truly living the show and radiated such a joy and confidence. Wow.

@neil-gaiman thank you for bringing Aziraphale into this world and in the form of Michael Sheen onto our screens. It is truly a blessing.

And as at every stage door I’ve been at I’ve met new people and we talked for hours. Good Omens and the love for theatre bring people together 🥰🥰🥰 a wonderful experience every time.

[dennissima]

Magic night in London

Below there is the first picture I took when I went out the Blackfriars station.

It was a crazy journey from Milan to London and back in less than twenty hours. My flight from Linate was at 1:30 pm and I arrived at Gatwick at 14:20. Thank you Thameslink for taking me to South Bank (where this photo was taken).

At 4 pm I already reached the National Theatre.

You can easily guess the reason of my journey, right?

First of all, I spent my time losing myself in the National Theatre’s bookshop (yes, I bought two books: the Nye script and a playwriting manual).

When I set at Kerb I took advantage of the recharge station near a table to charge my phone meanwhile I was drinking something fresh in that warm day.

A friend of mine reached me and I was a bit distracted by how much I was nervous for what was going to happen.

The performance started at 7:30 pm so at 7 pm I was already waiting at my seat.

“Nye” started and I still don't have enough words to explain such a brilliant production it is. Great cast, amazing writing, and stunning set design. The performance was funny and moving. Almost three hours and I loved every minute. I left the Olivier theatre shaked by goosebumps.

Still excited because of the show, I reached my new friend @orth82 at the Stage Door for wait Michael Sheen. The kindest person in the world.

He was on fire on the stage, he gave everything through the character and he was exhausted. But he spent his time greeting everyone who was waiting for him at the stage door.

I was pretty nervous and I made a mess with the gift I bring to him, the books he signs for me an photos and hugs i forget to ask for.

(Please Michael, don’t hate me! I wanted to be brilliant but you make me clumsy!)

Look at him! It’s Michael Sheen! He’s gorgeus!

He stayed with us untill he asked “Did I miss anyone?” and then he took his bags and walked away.

So in that crazy night I was amazed by the performance, Michael knew for five minutes I existed and also meet wonderful people from Good Omens fanbase. They even take care of me and helped me to find food. Yes, I forgot to have dinner or eat something since lunch 🫠

Then it was time to back to Gatwick, my flight departure was at 7:30 am.

I enjoyed London by night and even catched a shooting star on the sky abobe the Thames.

Everything was magic!

I spent the night in airport. Thank you again Thameslink to made me move easily despite the strike and the interruptions and the cancelled trains.

Flight at 7:30 am. Arrived at Milan at 10:30 am (1 hour of tome zone!).

Exhausted but full of grace 🤩

[invisibleicewands]

(x)

[procrastiel]

Hey peeps I’m going to London over the weekend (don’t worry, my house will still be occupied) any recommendations on restaurants or places to visit? Hit me up.

[get-back-homeward]

The following day, two of the Beatles were sitting in the Kardomah café. Their Wednesday-night Cavern residency was preceded this week by a lunchtime session, and John and Paul were still in the habit of staying in town on such days, idling away afternoons in “the KD.” This time they were chatting to one of John’s old mates from art school, who then said, “I believe Brian Epstein is managing you—which one of you does he fancy?” It was just a bit of lads’ banter, something that often came up behind Brian’s back, along with digs about him being Jewish. Nothing more would have been said about it if one of the two Beatles (or both) hadn’t then relayed the comment to Brian’s face. He was mortified. It was a stain on his character; it was combustible, in view of homosexual acts being illegal; and, because he was still denying this side of his life to the Beatles, it was a direct challenge for him to respond. Forty-eight hours later, Brian turned the matter over to his lawyer; and seven days after passing the comment, John’s friend from art school was dumped deep in it.

We have been consulted by Mr. Brian Epstein who instructs us that on the February 21st last in the Kardomah Café, Church Street, Liverpool, you uttered a certain highly malicious and defamatory statement concerning him to two members of the Beatles. We are instructed that in the course of a conversation you said, “I believe Brian Epstein is managing you. Which one of you does he fancy?” The unwarranted innuendo contained in that remark is perfectly clear and is one to which our client takes the gravest possible exception and the damaging nature of which has caused him considerable anxiety and distress. He is not prepared to tolerate the utterance of such remarks by you and we accordingly have to require that we receive by return your written apology together with an undertaking that this or similar remarks will not be made by you in the future.

The apology and undertaking arrived by return of post and that was the end of the matter—but it was another hard and damaging episode for Brian.

From Tune In (Ch. 25: Feb 6–Mar 8, 1961)

[greeneyed-thestral]