My stalking history
Jul. 22nd, 2007 12:17 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
khaosworksHere's the details behind the previous post. First time I've done this kind of thing, I swear.
After my post on the subject of missing seeing Sylvester McCoy, on Friday morning I contemplated whether or not to really haunt the stage door. As it turns out, it wouldn't have been possible because of the attendants blocking off the area, but anyhow...
About 20 years ago, I went to school with Gurjeet Singh, the person who's now the theatre manager of the Victoria Theatre, one of the major theatres in Singapore. The RSC's performance King Lear was actually organised by another company, the Singapore Repertory Theatre, but I thought, what the hell, maybe I'd give the old school tie connections a shot.
I spoke to Gurjeet, apologising first for not being in touch for so long and asking him if he had any pull with SRT, explaining my fanboy predilections. He remarked that actually, I probably didn't need any kind of pull, but could approach SRT directly. He suggested that I call the managing director. After getting a hold of a staff member at SRT, she said she would pass the message on.
A few hours later, the managing director, Guarav Kripalani, returned my call. I explained once again how much of a fan I was of McCoy, and he said he didn't think it would be a problem and would ask. It took until the next morning for him to confirm that yes, it would be possible and he even offered to arrange for a ticket for me (it was the cheapest at $250 — which I paid for gladly, since according to the website, there were absolutely no tickets left).
So the next evening, when I should have been off raiding Karazhan (not that I'm getting many slots on that these days), I was at the Esplanade Theatre watching the RSC put on King Lear. As far as the show goes, I'll tell you what I told Sir Ian McKellan later: "It's the RSC — what else can I say?" It was indeed brilliant, and seeing McCoy on stage was just wonderful, and he was brilliant as well, almost stealing the show from McKellan, when they were on together, which is no mean feat.
After the show, I waited next to the programme sales counter. Reuters was having a get-together with the cast after the performance, and they sauntered past. I saw William Gaunt walk by, and didn't have the nerve to stop him. When McCoy came out, I approached him and introduced myself. He looked a bit wary at first until my identity was indeed confirmed by Gaurav. I won't white-wash it: I was in full-on fanboy mode, and gushed a bit. McCoy graciously took it all in stride, and not only autographed my copies of the Doctor Who Magazine Special: The Complete Seventh Doctor and my DVD of Remembrance of the Daleks (my very first McCoy story and the one that made me a fan back in 1991), but he brought me along to the reception and introduced me to Sir Ian McKellan and William Gaunt as well.
I didn't really get much of a chance to speak to them — they were circulating around with the Reuters Circle bunch, but I did manage to get photographs and autographs. Sir Ian was somewhat amused that I came to see McCoy instead of him and signed my programme "from a non-Dr. Who". Gaunt also signed my DVD of Revelation of the Daleks. After this the company is going onto Australia, then then other spots, including the US and ending back up in England in November.
I didn't want to overstay my welcome so I said my goodbyes and left after about half an hour, a very happy man indeed. What else can I say? This meant a lot to me and I'm grateful to Gaurav for arranging it. I'm sure that McCoy has rabid Doctor Who fans clamouring after him all the time, but I'm pretty sure that he didn't really expect to find one in Singapore mad enough to do this. Hopefully I gave him at least something to talk about: "You know, there was this judge in Singapore who came to see me, not Ian McKellan!"
Time will tell. It always does.
After my post on the subject of missing seeing Sylvester McCoy, on Friday morning I contemplated whether or not to really haunt the stage door. As it turns out, it wouldn't have been possible because of the attendants blocking off the area, but anyhow...
About 20 years ago, I went to school with Gurjeet Singh, the person who's now the theatre manager of the Victoria Theatre, one of the major theatres in Singapore. The RSC's performance King Lear was actually organised by another company, the Singapore Repertory Theatre, but I thought, what the hell, maybe I'd give the old school tie connections a shot.
I spoke to Gurjeet, apologising first for not being in touch for so long and asking him if he had any pull with SRT, explaining my fanboy predilections. He remarked that actually, I probably didn't need any kind of pull, but could approach SRT directly. He suggested that I call the managing director. After getting a hold of a staff member at SRT, she said she would pass the message on.
A few hours later, the managing director, Guarav Kripalani, returned my call. I explained once again how much of a fan I was of McCoy, and he said he didn't think it would be a problem and would ask. It took until the next morning for him to confirm that yes, it would be possible and he even offered to arrange for a ticket for me (it was the cheapest at $250 — which I paid for gladly, since according to the website, there were absolutely no tickets left).
So the next evening, when I should have been off raiding Karazhan (not that I'm getting many slots on that these days), I was at the Esplanade Theatre watching the RSC put on King Lear. As far as the show goes, I'll tell you what I told Sir Ian McKellan later: "It's the RSC — what else can I say?" It was indeed brilliant, and seeing McCoy on stage was just wonderful, and he was brilliant as well, almost stealing the show from McKellan, when they were on together, which is no mean feat.
After the show, I waited next to the programme sales counter. Reuters was having a get-together with the cast after the performance, and they sauntered past. I saw William Gaunt walk by, and didn't have the nerve to stop him. When McCoy came out, I approached him and introduced myself. He looked a bit wary at first until my identity was indeed confirmed by Gaurav. I won't white-wash it: I was in full-on fanboy mode, and gushed a bit. McCoy graciously took it all in stride, and not only autographed my copies of the Doctor Who Magazine Special: The Complete Seventh Doctor and my DVD of Remembrance of the Daleks (my very first McCoy story and the one that made me a fan back in 1991), but he brought me along to the reception and introduced me to Sir Ian McKellan and William Gaunt as well.
I didn't really get much of a chance to speak to them — they were circulating around with the Reuters Circle bunch, but I did manage to get photographs and autographs. Sir Ian was somewhat amused that I came to see McCoy instead of him and signed my programme "from a non-Dr. Who". Gaunt also signed my DVD of Revelation of the Daleks. After this the company is going onto Australia, then then other spots, including the US and ending back up in England in November.
I didn't want to overstay my welcome so I said my goodbyes and left after about half an hour, a very happy man indeed. What else can I say? This meant a lot to me and I'm grateful to Gaurav for arranging it. I'm sure that McCoy has rabid Doctor Who fans clamouring after him all the time, but I'm pretty sure that he didn't really expect to find one in Singapore mad enough to do this. Hopefully I gave him at least something to talk about: "You know, there was this judge in Singapore who came to see me, not Ian McKellan!"
Time will tell. It always does.
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"from a non-Dr. Who"
Date: 2007-07-22 01:34 am (UTC)I read that bit aloud to my husband, who suggested Sir Ian would have fun playing Doctor One, but I rebutted saying he'd be better as Doctor Three -- who was, after all, referred to as the "dandy"
Congrats!
no subject
Date: 2007-07-22 03:50 am (UTC)I love the way you so casually said "As I said later to Sir Ian McKellen..." :)
Fun night!
no subject
Date: 2007-07-22 04:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-23 08:37 pm (UTC)It sort of reminded me of the Atlanta Worldcon (way back in 1986). Harlan Ellison was there, and won a Hugo for Paladin of the Last Hour. A friend of mine from Nashville was receiving the Hugo for Best Fan Artist Joan Hanke-Woods, and since I was a notorious shutterbug back then she got me into the press photo session. I happened to be standing near Harlan when he announced (for the umpteenth time) that The Last Dangerous Visions (that mystical tome that will never see print) would be published 'real soon now.' Remember, this was 1986, 21 years ago. Well, I spoke up and asked if it was really coming out this time. Harlan glanced my way and said, "Ah, you just want a free copy." "No, Harlan, I really want to read the book," was my reply. Harlan then pulled himself up to his full height, dramatically pointing toward the ceiling (allowing the tip of his finger to just be visible above some people's heads), and boomed, "Ladies and gentlemen, I have an important announcement. When the Last Dangerous Visions is published," and he paused to glance at my badge, "James Fulkerson will buy a copy." I was impressed that he pronounced my last name correctly (many people stumble over it for some reason). I just sort of grinned, then said, "Thank you, Harlan." "Don't mention it," was his reply, and I have to say his smirk was less annoying than Bush's. Yeah, he's something of a butt, but I do admire his writing talent.
So, will we maybe see you at OVFF this year? Or will FKO be your next foray to the east (though I assume you're coming to San Diego for Comicon, based on your post - I can't be there, darn it!)?