Yep I was today. The Olivier at the National Theatre no less. OK so it was part of a backstage tour and Mr Voldemort wasn't on the stage at the time but he has been and (hopefully) will be again when I see him in a couple of a weeks in Oedipus.
The tour was fabulous. One of those things I've been meaning to do for sometime. We spent an hour and a half looking around all three theatres in the complex, going back stage to see how it works and then around the rehearsal rooms and workshops where they make 90% of the props and sets.
Didn't realise that the Olivier is modeled on the ancient Greek theatre in Epidauros which coincidentally, Mosh and I visited in May
Learnt all sorts of interesting stuff like the fly above the Olivier stage is big enough to fit a double decker bus (the box on the top of the main building in the top picture is the Olivier fly which gives you some idea how much of a set they can whip out of sight).
Am ashamed to admit I never knew what repertory theatre was until today (means short running plays run in alternation or rotation - the NT can have up to nine plays running in rep). Was lucky enough to get up close to the horse puppets which are being used in the current production of War Horse which were quite amazing even without movement. Might try and get a ticket when they release a load more for the final leg of the show next week. In fact the whole tour just made me want to see everything they've got on and coming up.
Had a sneak preview of some of the Oedipus set which is sharing the Olivier with War Horse.
Unfortunately didn't get a chance to go on the actual stage at the Cottesloe where ...some trace of her is on as it was being mopped ready for the matinee. Shame but it was good to nose around back stage ahead of seeing it again on Monday.
Will definitely go on the tour again when they have another production I'm going to see or have seen.
Am ashamed to admit I never knew what repertory theatre was until today (means short running plays run in alternation or rotation - the NT can have up to nine plays running in rep). Was lucky enough to get up close to the horse puppets which are being used in the current production of War Horse which were quite amazing even without movement. Might try and get a ticket when they release a load more for the final leg of the show next week. In fact the whole tour just made me want to see everything they've got on and coming up.
Had a sneak preview of some of the Oedipus set which is sharing the Olivier with War Horse.
Unfortunately didn't get a chance to go on the actual stage at the Cottesloe where ...some trace of her is on as it was being mopped ready for the matinee. Shame but it was good to nose around back stage ahead of seeing it again on Monday.
Will definitely go on the tour again when they have another production I'm going to see or have seen.