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Donna's Encounter with Mister and the Man
London, U.K.
by Donna | 9 May 2012
When I heard that Misterman was coming to London I was so excited. I had read all of the articles and stories on this site and there was no way I was going to miss the opportunity to see him performing live. My husband is a fan of his work and so I booked us a couple of tickets (taking the morning off work to get online and book early and get us seats as close to the stage as possible!). My 69 year old mum is also a fan and as it was her birthday and she really wanted to go too, I bought a second pair of tickets and assured her that I really didn't mind seeing the play twice! Two weeks later I was on Twitter and the National Theatre were giving away free tickets in a competition. All that was required was a tweet to them with your fave Cillian film... which I did! Now I can say that I don't believe that I've ever won any competition and so I couldn't believe it when I got a message congratulating me for winning a pair of tickets!! My friends all asked if I was going to sell the tickets... no way!!
Living a couple of hours away from London I went to see two of the matinees in April, with my mum and a friend and I found it absolutely incredible. I wasn't in any doubt over Cillian's talents but not having seen a play (or anything) quite like it, I wasn't sure of what to expect. I certainly wasn't disappointed. I was still bursting with excitement at the thought of seeing it for the third time with my hubby (who had to tell me to stop talking about it before I gave too much away!).
My hubby was just as impressed as me and I as I jumped to my feet to applaud as the lights went out I felt quite disappointed that it was all over. As the show finished we wandered over to the info desk as there was no-one else there and thought we'd ask if they were aware of any other public appearances or platforms that they knew of that Cillian may be attending. They said not but advised that some people wait at the stage door to see the actors as they leave. Hubby and I thought we would check it out and took a walk around. There seemed to be a lot of staff coming and going and they said it was fine to stand outside as long as we didn't try to get in the building!!! (I turned to my husband to ask if I looked like a psycho stalker!!!) As we waited quietly by the open glass door, we saw Cillian come out of a door inside and talk to a reporter. The security guys jumped up and closed the door — which, thinking about it, showed that they were doing their jobs well, but was slightly disappointing given that there was only 3 of us standing outside in the rain and we were standing well back. When the reporter turned to leave Cillian went back through the door. The staff at the desk came and advised us we would be wasting our time waiting any longer and we agreed that seeing him so close in the play was amazing enough!
We returned inside the theatre slightly windswept and wet. The place was nearly empty as it was due to close in the next 30 mins but I loved the place and we decided to grab a drink at the bar and find a table to have a chat about the play. As I was just finishing my glass of wine I happened to look up and see Cillian walking across the room in our direction. I nearly knocked the drink out of my husband's hand as I grabbed his arm. Knowing how shy I am my wonderful hubby jumped up and walked over to him and asked if it was ok for us to speak with him for a minute. He smiled and said it was ok so we both shook his hand and told him how amazing the play was. I told him I had been 3 times and he thanked us for coming. I admit it — I was totally star struck!! His eyes were more beautiful in real life and as I am the same height I stared straight into them!! I was mindful that he was on his way out of the theatre after what must have been an exhausting day and so I didn't want to push it but I reaaaalllly wanted a picture! I asked if he minded and he said not at all. So hubby took a couple of pics (knowing if he didn't get this right he would be in sooo much trouble!!). I told Cillian that I thought he was amazing and, well, my idol! (yeah I did cringe when this fell out of my mouth!!) and I lent in for a quick kiss on the cheek. We thanked him for stopping to talk to us and he went on his way.
I've met a couple of famous faces from TV / music but to meet my absolute favourite film star was fantastic and what made it even more amazing was that he was so lovely and polite — he wasn't trying to walk away as we spoke and he patiently stood there whilst my hubby took two pics (in case I was blinking... knowing my luck!!). Now I would never have gone up to speak to him if he had been in a public place with family or friends, but as we were in quite a discrete place (I don't think anyone else at the bar noticed) and we asked permission, I think this helped.
I still can't believe this happened and have to keep looking at the pics to remind me it wasn't a dream (or the wine)!!!
