Review by Rosie Blanshard © Click! Orlando!

I am absolutely shattered after only 3 hours sleep but here is my report from last night's Q&A. :rolleyes:

Firstly huge thanks to The Duke of York's Theatre, WhatsOnStage and all the cast for arranging and attending last night's event. I had an amazing time at the Q&A - the whole cast including Orlando attended plus the director Anna Mackmin and the assistant director Kate.

Most of the questions were asked by Terri from WhatsOnStage but the floor was opened to questions towards the end.

Everyone had chairs except Orlando who sat on the stage right in front of me! Orlando originally sat in one of the chairs, which was under a spotlight, but gave this up to Tim Healy, when they realised there were not enough chairs. He looked very tired and I think he was glad to sit on the floor where it was darker, as if he didn't want to be noticed (fat chance of that) and to make sure everyone else was in the limelight. How typical of him - he was very much emphasising that this is an ensemble piece and he is NOT the star of the show. He was given a large glass of what looked like lemonade and lime with ice and lemon, of course it may have been something stronger but I don't think so. He was wearing a white tee shirt under the light grey long sleeved tee shirt, and his dark grey hooded fleece, and his usual jeans.

There were a lot of questions and answers to the other members of the cast, but I have only slightly alluded to them and have tried to keep it to Orlando's part in the Q&A (so apologies to the others who were all very interesting in their answers!)

I made copious notes of Orlando's answers which follow here.

The entire cast and director were asked what had attracted them to the play -

Orlando - "I had been looking to do some theatre for a while, you know having worked in film, I have to admit I had never heard of David Storey but when I read the play I was blown away by it. I was attracted to Andy's part but...(lpoks at Paul Hilton and pats his knee) I am very fortunate to be working with these boys (points to Paul and Gareth Farr) and Anna (Mackmin, the director) and the whole cast for my first experience. When Anna asked me to read the play I realised that Steven was on an emotional journey..he is an emotional sponge, soaking up all that is happening"...(Laughs) "but I didn't realise how difficult it would be standing up here on the stage, especially on my own at the start. " (Smiles)
"Steven is a very silent part, so I have to be very focused and really concentrate...listen, you know, really listen for my cue...I'll be sitting there thinking 'oh, I think I have something to say in a minute'..you really have to concentrate"...(laughs)
"I think learning to listen, really listen and concentrating is one of the lessons I will take away from this experience." " It was quite scary at first, but I have been blessed, really blessed to feel so safe." "Everyone has had so much patience with me, you know, and it has been great to have so much rehearsal time...four weeks..you don't get that in films." "We were rehearsing from 9 to 6, or 9 to 10 whatever it was"...(here Anna chips in with "oh it was longer than that darling..we worked you really hard!") She then said that Orlando had been really diligent and hard working, and then the other members of the cast all agreed, Paul Hilton saying, "he is really great to work with, he'll be on the stage at 6pm walking through ..really preparing.." and then Lynda Baron said "he's just nice!". :lol:

There then followed questions about the play's author David Storey and a discussion about how autobiographical the play was. Orlando mentioned that Paul had started writing to David, asking him about himself, where he was when he wrote the play. He then talked about meeting David Storey.

"I asked him which of the three brothers he saw himself as, and he replied that he was a bit of all three, and that his brother, the fourth in his family, died aged seven too."

The three 'brothers' were asked if they had any brothers in real life. Paul and Orlando said no, but Gareth did. Orlando did say "..but I do have an older cousin" the cast all laughed so they had obviously met Sebastian when he came to the opening night!

Now comes the open forum.....

"Orlando, you have to portray very strong emotions each night in the play, do you find that difficult?"
Orlando nods, his head....then replies
"It is very daunting just standing up there on my own, especially for the first few performances." "I was very intimidated by Steven's breakdown, and it was great to have a womb-like rehearsal room to work through that." "It was very hard to get to that...Steven is an emotional sponge, you know...he is high status, very intelligent, he listens...he really listens to what the family are saying, and soaks all that up,...he is aware of Andy spiralling down in this abyss..he is aware of his mother...and all the feelings about Jamie, and about his nightmares."
"It's a terrifying thing to come on to the stage knowing you have to somehow show....how does it feel...thinking, talking about Jamie... it's a knife in the wound, you know, when Andy is ranting about Jamie, it's like a knife in the wound for Steven."

"You know it's not very fashionable to have a play where the audience really have to think about what's going on..the audience have to work as hard as the cast."

Another question - Did the cast talk about the play - fill in the blanks. Although this question was aimed at Orlando, Anna answered saying "Endlessly.. that's what rehearsals are for." "Did you know,, in the original production there were no laughs" Anna was determined she wanted laughs in her production.

Another question to Orlando - In the play at the end, Steven says he has decided. Do you know what Steven has decided at the end? Orlando nods and says "Yes", smiling but giving nothing away.

Gareth Farr is then asked about Colin..he gives nothing away either, although the rest of the cast all agree that there is no dentist, and that Colin will not be getting married! Orlando laughs.

Anna finished by saying that David Storey has been very supportive of the production, he wasn't at rehearsals, but made some revisions and a few small cuts here and there. (Now I understand about the small differences I notice from my reading of the play).

Terri then thanked the cast and the audience and everyone clapped. Orlando then left straight away, and didn't pause to sign autographs or for pictures outside the theatre but went straight to the car - he really looked exhausted - he wasn't the only one!

So that was it - I have been looking forward to attending this and I wasn't disappointed! However, I was discussing with several girls the questions we were going to ask but at the last moment one of them jumped in with my question, which really upset me. Oh well.

He looked my way several times and was obviously wondering why I was scribbling down everything he said. Well Orlando, now you know! :lol:


*If you wish to share please link back to this post*

:woot: :woot: :woot:

WOW! Rosie this sounds wonderful, I'm just sorry that I wasn't able to have gone with you...

...very, very sorry! :lol:

Listening to your voice on the phone when you called me straight after the Q&A just filled me with such excitement. It took me ages to get to sleep! :lol:

Isn't that just like Orlando. He's such a sweetheart and so humble.

We are all right there with Orlando, because I had not heard of him either. This just goes to show that Orlando's wonderful choices in film and theatre has added even more to our education.

That must have been one the most daunting things he has ever done. But, he did do it beautifully. :clap:

....and don't forget to empty your mouth of that biscuit as quickly as possible! :lol:

Lynda...the 'Register' button is just up there ^^^ under the banner! :lol:

I couldn't help but notice that every time Jamie's name was mentioned how Orlando would squeeze his eyes closed or wince. You could see Steven's pain and torture and it was a torture that Andrew took great delight in administering.

This is what I really liked about this play. Every time I read it I pick up something different, it sends my thoughts off into a whole new tangent. And after having seen it, again, my perspective changed. That is whta is so compelling about this, as an audience you are not sat watching a bit of fluff, it real gritty drama, that stays in your mind for a long time

It took me a long time to work this out, but I think I finally have seen it, and I didn't like it at all.

:lol: I think we all worked that out....especially when he did that little walk across the stage. That was just brilliance. :lol:

Bless him, he's giving so much to us all in this play. He deserves a little time out, it must be exhausting for him.

:( Oh no! Well, at least our question was answered even if you didn't ask it directly. It got to him via a slightly longer route. Did he mention the comparison between the Elizabethtown scene which was also part of the question?

:lol: RosieB our intrepid on the spot reporter! :lol:

Thank you so much Rosie, this is just wonderful, I felt like I was right there. I know you worked incredibly hard on this report for us, I really appreciate it. :friends: I guess I'll have to supply you with some more note pads from the office now! :lol:

Thanks again Rosie, but mostly thank you to Orlando for all the joy you are giving us.

Wow Rosie! Thank you for going and making this for us! He's such a sweetie. :wub:

I'm gonna crawl and roll over now.

:thud:

Thank you Jesse and Phynx :friends: Yes he is very definitely a sweetie :wub:

No he didn't. When I submitted our question to the Moderator, Terri, she hadn't even heard of 'Elizabethtown' :o but she did say "Oh, so you have obviously seen the play before - that's a very good question" which of course I confirmed and that I had also read the play several times too.

I couldn't agree more Jesse. And Anna Mackmin made several mentions of that as did Tim Healy - they all agreed there should be more gritty drama in the West End!

I desperately need to get some sleep - but will take a walk for my lunch to try and wake up and maybe get some coffee from one of my favourite coffee shops
:lol:

:o :o Seriously?? I guess she maybe only knows him from Pirates and Lord of the Rings - the bigger movies. Did you notice that in his TV credits in the programme there was no mention at all of 'Midsomer Murders' and 'Casualty' only 'Extras'.

I think a lot of people presume that the female members of the audience are only going to see Orlando and are not interested in the play itself. Well, yes, we were going to see Orlando but we made darn sure we did our homework beforehand.

:lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

Now I wonder which coffee shop that would be?????? :lol:

Rosie!!!!!!! Oh my goodness!

Have A Little Read Here

:twitch: :twitch: :twitch:

*Huuhhhh-hmmmmmmm!* Who's website??? :lol: :lol:

This is amazing, you deserve this for all your hard work. It makes that headache you endured worth while!!

BTW: How was the coffee? Did you have extra milk today??? :flirt: :lol:

:yahoo: Congrats Rosie!!!!!!

Thank you for being there and representing all of us over here :P

I loved your review.... it made me feel like I was actually there :lol:

And most "Thanks" to Orlando for doing what he does best!


KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK Orlando!!! :fist:

Thanks for writing this up Rosie!

And, woooo! You got a mention in the WOS online article along with Click! Orlando! :yahoo:

I'm so glad I was able to bring you all a reasonably coherent report of what went on last night - I know I shan't forget the evening. :lol:

I have made a slight addition to the article, which came to me as I was re-reading it just now.

Yes Lissa, that was a lovely surprise!

Oh and Jesse..surprisingly only one biscuit last night! :steven: and young master Sidi was quiet - no barking :lol:

BTW - didn't manage to get any coffee unfortunately - :lol: I got stuck into a project I'm involved in :lookie:

End of the week...he must be running out! :lol:

:rolleyes: You'll have to do the rounds next week!! :lol:

(Wouldn't you all LOVE to know the joke! :devil: )

Okay I was up and read this last night and did not reply...Bad me! Rosie :thankyou: for all of your hard work...you made me feel like I was there :clap: . Most the time when I read things like this I just get that the person was really excited but no details. Big :thumb: .
:notworthy: .... :porkpie:

RosieB! Thanks so much for your hard work and sharing your time at the Q & A with us. To sit across from Orlando! :faint:

Congrats on the WOS mention! :clap: :clap:

Get some sleep dearie, take care.

RosieB - Thank you SO very much for your report! Orlando has a talent for doing well in every situation, doesn't he?

Dair

Thank you, Rosie. you are so appreciated. This is a fabulous story and you are a wonderful reporter.
Just reading it I felt like I was there.

Thanks for the wonderful type-up Rosie hon, brilliant job and really fascinating reading! I'm personally very pleased that they didn't let the Q and A just become an 'Orlando Bloom show', I'm sure he wouldn't have been very comfortable with that at all, what with it being unfair on the other members of the cast. :)

I'll be attending the Q+A session tomorrow night, and will try and remember as much as I can and put up a report when I get back Tuesday. :)

And PS - I remember reading the mention of click orlando by name on the whatsonstage article and got really excited hehe! :ex:

I didn't realize there was another Q & A tomorrow night. Do you know who's hosting it?

I would love to read your report Kyle, you do such amazing, descriptive (and long :lol: ) reports.

We got really excited about the 'What's On Stage' mention as well. It was such a wonderful surprise. I think we are still trying to get over the shock! :lol:

Do you think Orlando has been informed about Click Orlando???

Just thinking about it makes me excited! :party:

OMG, that's such a great story. I wish I was there with you :unsure:
That is so cool!!

He is aware of the name - don't forget we sent him good luck messages! ;)