Hey all, hope its OK to post this here.


I just got back from seeing "In Celebration" and I gotta say, the decidedly female biassed audience were extremely well behaved! (a part from one enthusiastic fan of the guy who plays the dad. his name escapes me right now and my program is down stairs!)

I Hope its ok, but I'd like to give a little review.

I went with my theatre buff friend, who although is not anti-orlando, isn't a huge fan either. Her opinion? He's alright but people are going to have unreasonable expectations of a Hollywood Star that may well leave them wanting. She reckons he'll grow into his role, and its obvious he hasn't done a lot of stage work. Oh well, can't win them all over.


Personally I was impressed. Over all by the play, as well as by Orlando's performance. I thinks its occassionally obvious that he was nervous and that he was the least experienced in the cast, and as I said to someone I was talking to during the interval, his accent occassionally slips. (but only really noticable to those who 1- know orlando's voice very well, and 2 - know from personal experience the difference between a northern and southern accent.) But over all I was pleased. I didn't feel like I was watching Orlando Bloom on stage, rather that I was watching Steven go through the story, which is quite an accomplishment when you consider that after friends and family, real obsessive fans are the hardest to convince in a role.

The play itself was enthralling, if occassionally confusing (although I will admit at times my mind wondered from the story as I watched Orlando... Ooopse) the characters are all interesting and even the minor characters have surprising depth. It wasn't the greatest story ever told, but it had me so rivited that I didn't even start chewing my tongue in my need for cigarette (something that plagued me through blood brothers, mary poppins and Fame). Afterwards my friend and I agreed we'd likely go and see it again for a number of reasons. Firstly because it was an entertaining night out, and the first half especially had us in stitches and secondly because we're both curious to see the performance when all the cast have settled into their roles.

Seeing as I'm the kind of person who won't watch something a second time if I don't like it, no matter who is in it, (take for example, Elizabeth Town, which I own but have only watched once, and will not likely ever watch again.) I think I can safely say that "In Celebration" gets a real thumbs up, even from the non-orlando obsessed. The only real bummer was that afterwards the crowd outside was so huge I didn't even bother to wait to see his gorgeousness come out (plus its a work night and I have to be up in 5 hours) and those fans waiting by the stage door actually blocked the road, upsetting the theatre management and almost getting themselves run over by ill attentive taxi drivers at the same time. That they'd managed to sit 2-1/2 hours in the same room as Orlando without their brain cells disolving (or at least completely disolving... I'm not sure my tongue has quite made it back into my mouth yet... hmmmm Orlando....) only to throw common sense to the wind outside is a little dissapointing. Oh well, never mind...

Review by Rosie Blanshard © Click! Orlando!

OK my review (on 3 and a half hours sleep) is as follows:-

The theatre felt very intimate - it's a lovely old theatre and as I was sitting in Row A I felt I was very much involved in the play. The set is excellent, very different - there is no curtain - and blackened brick walls and coal give the feeling of being 'up north'. The set was so authentic, the lady sitting behind me said it could have been her sitting room and how did they manage to get the matched set of lights - they were exactly what she had been looking for!:lol:

Orlando's character Steven is the first on stage - dressed very much in clothes of the period - shades of brown and his hair parted to one side (he looks really good with side parting! :wub: ). The clothes he wears though certainly epitomise his character - married, kids but suppressed somehow. I thought his accent was very good, and although he did let is slip very slightly, I thought he did an amazing job. I got the impression he was still quite nervous but he really immersed himself into the role, and having read the play a number of times and knowing what was to come, I was very impressed with the way he gradually withdrew inside himself until the crying scene which was heartrending. I clearly saw tears dripping onto his lap as he sat on the sofa, and the intensity of emotion he, and all the other actors maintained through that scene was frankly superb. I of course cried with him :cry: I couldn't help myself.

I loved watching Orlando's facial expressions and his biscuit munching!

All the actors seemed brilliantly cast. I found myself really liking Andrew, although when I read the play I disliked him. Paul Hilton really brings him to life. Gareth Farr was excellent as Colin - he was very much the industrial management type. Tim Healy was excellent, although I think a lot of the audience had trouble understanding his accent. He had the miners cough - made worse by smoking.

My evening was slightly spoiled by other members of the audience. There were a large group of American students, none of whom seemed to understand the play, or even want to be there (one girl actually slept through the first act :angry: ) plus a large number of overseas visitors. Whilst there is much to laugh at particularly in the first act, their laughter through the second act including the crucial crying scene really annoyed me, and I think rather non plussed the actors including Orlando.

I think the play had great pace, and I particularly liked the mother's sobs after the boys had left at the end, just for a few moments you saw her pain, before she pulled herself together and returned to the very uptight and controlling woman she is. She favoured Colin over the other boys, although it was Steven who showed her most affection, but getting little in return - and she was very cool with Andrew, disapproving of his change of life style. When Andrew asks her why he was sent away, why she never opened the door when he came crying to be let in (aged 5) she cannot answer him - I felt so sorry for Andrew then, and you really saw his anguish and perhaps why he had stirred up all the arguments - he needed some kind of resolution, a repentence from his mother, for what she had done to him and to his brothers, Steven in particular.

So overall, I think the play was a great success - and I loved every minute of it - I laughed and I cried and I clapped hard at the end. I sincerely hope he does more stage work - and hopefully in London! I would love to see him do a comedy - he has great comedic timing.

I'M BACK!!!!!!!!!! :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot:
One word to describe the last 24hours - WOW!

I'm making this brief because I have a headache from hell - not enough sleep (blame Orlando) and too much traveling (blame the freak weather in the UK).

I've spent literally hours on the train today - at one point sat on the luggage rack (when there were no seats availabe) writing out my review, which I shall post tomorrow. I've hand written 10 pages so far and it's not quite finished so it could be LONG!! :lol:

Anyhooo....the play was fantastic although, Orlando was finding it difficult playing serious, sad Steven. Quite a number of times he put his hand over his mouth and rubbed his index finger over his moustache to stop himself from smirking. I think he was hungry and thirsty as well...three biscuits, 5 cups of tea and one or two glasses of what I think was or was supposed to be whiskey! :lol:

Just before Act 2 Rosie and myself were discussing Sidi, when we heard a dog barking. We think Orlando may have left his dressing room and young master Sidi was none too pleased. :rolleyes: That was rather bizarre.

I'll cut to the stage door because the real review is coming tomorrow.

When the curtain went down after they took their final bow :steven: we literally legged it to the stage door - which gave me a coughing fit! :lol: We were standing around for ages waiting for Orlando, then he finally appeared in the grey and black stripped jumper. He made sure Sidi was safely in the car before signing autographs. He started with some young children and then moved to the main crowd where the strangest thing happened. He was signing copies of the play programmes and I had mine held out, he looked up, looked straight into my eyes, gave that little recognition tossing back of the head, broke into a HUGE megawatt smile and said "Hey-ya". :wtf: He knows me??? :what: Anyway, he scrawled OB onto the cover of my programme and I think he asked how I was because I can distinctly remember saying "I'm a bit squashed," but by then my brain was mush after dealing with that smile :stars: , so I seriously can't remember the question. :lol:

It was so totally bizarre, but a moment I will never forget. He got into his car not long after and sped away.

My pictures were totally ****, I was being pushed this way and that and just couldn't get any good pics at all - well except for the security guard who really was a lovely guy. He actually apologised to me for a girl who at the last moment pushed right infront of me and blocked me from Orlando. I thought that was so sweet of him, it wasn't his fault. He did give her a severe dressing down infront of everyone. So a huge thanks to the wonderful security staff at the Duke Of York's theatre who have a hellish job there every night.

So that's a brief run down of events. As I said above, I'll post my real review of the play tomorrow.

Aye, it were grand! :D

ETA: REVIEW POSTED HERE

I saw the play on the 19th July - it was fab, I originally booked the tickets for my friends 24th birthday who loves OB but as soon as I met him I could see why she likes him so much - he's so lovely, considering all the media attention he receives he is so down to earth and really polite not to mention beautiful. I was only in London for 3 days and I met him twice – I’m soooooo lucky. :rolleyes:

Whilst having dinner in the restaurant across the road from the theatre before the show I met Tim Healy, he also a lovely man we got his autograph and photo and had a good chat with him - he is a brilliant actor and also a lovely person.

The play was wonderful, I thought it was gripping and the whole cast were such good actors, it made the play believable and so easy to watch. A great watch not just for OB fans.

We enjoyed our time in London and the play so much we are returning in September to see it again. And hopefully to meet Orlando again :yahoo:

I have been waiting a few days to post this one because I wasn't home and didn't have a computer and two because I just sort of wanted to absorb it all and try to decide what to say.
I was able to fly over to London last week to see "In Celebration". I have to say I was able to see it twice. All I can say is WOW, because I am older than most here, at least I think so, some of the things that were said really hit home to me. I think our parents always want us to be better off than they were but sometimes when it happens it makes for some unsettling problems. Anyway my heart nearly broke and I so wanted to just run up on that stage and take Orlando in my arms and comfort him, the mother in me I guess. It was very surreal for me to think that this is the same person who only a few short weeks ago was on the helm of a great fighting ship playing one of the most beautiful pirates I have ever seen and to now have him laying on a bed in a fetal position sobbing uncontrollably because of something he has no control over was nothing short of amazing. Can't act my A** I guess we showed them a thing or two.
One other little thing I have to say is that I really had intended to get some pictures of Orlando and all of the cast if possible even though at the time I couldn't figure out how to get my camera into the theater, but when he came out of the stage door it was such mayhem that I just couldn't do it I was just so mesmerized by his grace and poise and ability to seem to make everyone there feel like they were all important and the only ones there.
I have to say the one night I did feel a little sorry for him he just looked so very tired and almost overwhelmed but it was just a fleeting feeling I had but how he can do not only that emotional a play every night but then to deal with all of that every night afterwards I am very proud of him. Anyway even if I had taken pictures I really have no idea how to post them so I guess it's best if that times live only in my mind, I will always remember the warmth of his smile and the most beautiful face I have ever seen- except my daughter.
Enough of my going on and on I just really needed to share, thanks for listening.

I went to see the play on 30th July with fellow forum member, wannabe.

I'll be honest and admit that the main draw for me was that Orlando was starring in the play - I had avoided reviews beforehand (I like to make my own mind up!) and not knowing too much about the play so I went into the theatre not knowing what to expect.

I found it incredibly intense - I really don't know how the cast does it every night. I think I'd finish the run an emotional wreck!

I liked that there was humour within the play. I think you find yourself at times thinking "should I be laughing at this?". I read afterwards that the director, Anna Mackmin wanted it to be funny so I think she's achieved what she set out to do.

Hello, everyone. :wave:

Usually guilty of being a lurker, :blush: but I've just gotten back from my long-planned trek to London to see The Boy and, after enjoying everyone else's tales, lo, these many weeks, I just wanted to share my own experience as well...

Thanks to the gracious RosieB, I had a cracking good sense of when to be at the DOY on any given day. As I was exploring the West End on Thursday (September 6th --my first day in town), I thought it would be as good a day as any for a little Orlando watching. I didn't have a program for him to sign (as I wouldn't see the play until the following evening), but I figured I might at least get a few snaps. This day (as you can see in others' reports) was the day that Sidi took the car in (got some nice shots of him) and daddy came down the block on foot a few moments later. Seemed to just appear out of nowhere, cell phone to ear, sweetly waving and telling everyone how he didn't have time to stop today, he had to go get ready for the play. But he assured us he would be signing that evening. Such a good lad...







Friday night was the show and I enjoyed it immensely. :clap: I had 5th row seats which was a bit too close to see what was going on upstairs in the Shaw household, but you certainly could see what was going on in their faces. I totally forgot I was watching Orlando Bloom within the first few seconds of the play and he became Steven Shaw, little boy trying desperately to be a man (my first take on Orlando's performance was just that --a young man trying to "act" like an adult-- then I realized that was the whole point. Genius). Anyway, I got swept away in the proceedings along with the rest of the audience (all very well behaved --the odd gasp at the beginning, but otherwise, no worries), and choked up mightily when Steven gives his father a kiss goodbye. You can tell both actors worked to create that "unspoken" bond on stage and it worked very, very well.

Saturday. I decided would be THE DAY. :ex: Of course, as it turned out it was one of the busiest Saturdays yet from the other reports I saw online upon my return. As per :teambloom: instructions, I got there a little before 3pm (in the most uncomfortable boots known to man --I had to dress for that evening's performance as I thought I'd never make it back to my hotel in Kensignton before the show). As I waited, I pondered whether or not I wanted the front of my program signed, or inside by his picture --very important decision, that! I also made friends with the ladies waiting on either side of me and watched as the crowds grew and grew. First behind me, then across the pavement from me, then across the street from the theater. I was struck at the cheek of some folks who just waltzed right up to the front as if no one else was around, but everyone on my side of the street was very friendly and cordial, no matter how many times security shuffled us around.

Soon, the plastic barricades went up and I ended up pinned right behind my two companions (who agreed that, should I be able to work my arms up from where they were folded against my chest, I would most certainly be able to reach over them for my autograph --bless). Then, the man himself arrived and all heck broke loose (though you could tell he was coming down the alley long before he emerged from the piercing screaming that erupted from the crowd). Let me tell you, those security guards are BIG men, but it seemed like all they could do to keep those barricades facing the street from being overrun. It was like something out of a Beatles newsreel...

So, everyone's adrenaline is pounding. The air is electric, a steady keening of young women ringing in the air as Orlando hurriedly makes his rounds. I snap pictures furiously with my camera (only to have them come out more "impressionistic" than I might have liked. A cute ear close-up, but still. Thankfully there are a legion of Click! Orlando-ites! with much more faitfhul cameras!) As Orlando deftly loops my way I hold out my program and he kindly signs it. I say "Thank you, Mr. Bloom" and he stops, looks me right in the eye (SWOON! You folks weren't kidding about the perils of eye contact) seems to ponder a tick, and then replies "Cheers, mate" --even giving me one of his patented thumbs-up! It was just a heart-skip of a moment, but it was still amazing he took the time what with all the mayhem swirling around him. Needless to say, those deep brown eyes are pretty much seared into my psyche for all time. :faint:

And, just as quickly as it began, it was over. Everyone scattered like the end of some sort of flash mob (which I guess, in a way, it was). As Orlando bounded back to his dressing room I told my two new friends that I felt like I needed a cigarette! :lol: I also felt extremely fortunate as Orlando's time was very brief that day. I promised myself I'd be happy if I was lucky enough to get an autograph, but our brief exchange --silly as it might sound-- put me over the moon! (May everyone get that chance some day).









A bit later that evening, I happened by the (now deserted) theatre and saw one of the security guards standing alone at the mouth of the alley. I walked up to him and told him that I had been there that afternoon and wanted to thank him for how well they had handled things. Not sure how often these guys get thanked --I'm guessing not often-- as he shook my hand and seemed pleased that someone noticed what a strain their job can be. I told him to pass along the thanks and then scooted off to eat dinner (Pret a Manger --very swish) before the opening curtain.

That night I saw the play for the second, and final time. Again, I was surrounded by well-dressed young women (New York audiences could take a cue, believe me), who all behaved quite admirably. This time I was in the second row, and I watched Orlando the entire time. At first, I felt a little self conscious, but then I figured no one was paying attention to me with Orlando on the stage.

This time it struck me how well Orlando was able to underplay his part and "disappear" so that the focus was on the other actors in the scene. One would think a megawatt star like Orlando would want to be center stage at all times (certainly center of attention), but our Orlando's a team player and that's one of the reasons this revival works so well. I still would like to see Orlando tackle the juicier part of Andrew some day, but for now, I can honestly say this show was a job well done! The play ends and, as Orlando takes his final bow, I remind myself that this is the last time I'll see him in person. (For now)

As far as other London exploits (yes, I did partake in a few non-Orlando related things!) :lol: I walked around a lot, trying to soak up as much of the atmosphere of this incredible city as I could. I made sure I had my requisite fish 'n chips (washed down with a pint of ale). Hit the Tower of London, The Globe Theatre, Buckingham Palace, Harrod's, the London Eye (stunning at night) and Madame Tussaud's (How come Orlando's scowling? I assume they stripped the Will Turner figure and just stuck him in a suit? They really should do a version with that blazing smile of his). I also picked up the new British GQ, some packs of Panini stickers (will I never finish my set?) and the new 2007 POTC annual. When in Britain... :tea:



:thankyou: Thanks again to Rosie for imparting her wisdom to an absolute stranger from the 'States!!! None of my Orlando exploits would have happened without your wonderful advice. If Orlando ever takes to Broadway I hope I can return the favor.

And thanks to mayfrayn for the link to the video of that day on YouTube! As you can see, my pictures didn't come out as I'd hoped (nor did Rosie's --bloody cameras!), but that video clearly shows my and Orlando's entire exchange --you see him pause, look up, give me a thumbs up and everything (it's all from the back, and from a distance, but you can see it). :yahoo:

Sorry for the length of my post! You're probably all wishing that I'd now just go back to lurking! :P

Best! :wave:

Oh, and please post credit if anyone wants my (attempts at) snaps.

First of all, hello to you all.My name is Joanna. In total I saw the play 5 times. I will admit, that the first time I saw it, was because of Orlando.I wanted to go and see it on the first night (5th/7) to show him my support. I got a hug from him that night,because myself, kyle and Clair all chipped in to buy him a brilliant bunch of yellow flowers.....He liked them alot. During the play, when he is crying and he stands up to tell his dad what is wrong, 2 teenage girls were sitting next to me and started to talk really loudly, telling each other about how sexy he was........I had to tell them to shut up...lol. I then saw it 2 other times with a friends and the other 2 times by myself.


My daughter (7) bought Sidi some dog treats, a squeezy carrot and a dog rattle and during the performance people could hear him barking at the back.The next day I went back up to the theatre and waited for Orlando,because I didn't get to see him the night before,due to how many people were outside after the show. I asked him if Sidi liked the gifts and mentioned the carrot. He smiled and told me "yes he loves it.Tell your little girl thanks and thank you very much"......loves it, so that means he is actually using the toy....Horray...lol. I asked him for a hug and he hugged me again for like the 50th time...lol.

A few weeks ago mid August, I went down to see him and he actually said "Hello again. how are you?". I was well happy,because that means he remembers me.I asked him if he could send my little girl a birthday card, with Sidi's picture in it (She is a BIG sidi fan).He said yes, that next time I am up, to give him a note with my address on it...Sadly that time was the 15th and I went to see the 2.30 show, which was wonderful...There was these young girls wearing Mrs Bloom Tshirts and they made him laugh. I waited outside with a few members from this forum.We had these annoying women trying to push us out of our space.Until Peter the security guard , told them to move, which was hillarious.When Orlando came out, he went to the wrong side.People were throwing things. I heard a bottle thrown, things nearly missed him and he left. He didn't sign anything for anyone on the side I was on and sadly he never got the note.

I had a wonderful time getting to meet Orlando and being so close to him. I am happy, that he remembered me and also happy, that he allowed me to bend down and stroke Sidi on a few occassions,before they started putting the barriers up.........I 'll miss going up there now : :unsure:



:wave:

Orlando being in this play was what swayed me towards this play -- I was curious to see, for myself, how he'd fare on stage.

By some strage coincidence, I happen to know about the play before this latest revival. From all the reviews, I had expected a very subdued performance by Orlando as Steven. On closing night, I was pleasant surprised, stirred, and moved by his treatment of the source material. There was an undercurrent of resolution, a latent power in his interpretation of the role. I really enjoyed this aspect, and was very curious as to why none of the critics had commented on that.

I wouldn't mind seeing Orlando doing more plays -- now I am curious to see him in a different kind of stage role. :P