what a night!

(tt)  Now the last macaroon has been swept up off the Plaza carpet I can reflect on the proceedings. Standing outside the apartment in our Brooks Bros finery while sensible folk wandered past in shorts and t-shirts Sheldon spotted Matt Cavanagh, who turns out to be our cross the road neighbour. Matt, of course, was to be Adam in "Priscilla" but that went another way and Mr Adams came into our lives instead!!  We were collected in a limo by a charming actor called Eric who chatted wonderfully about his New York experiences, his theatre training in Salt Lake City with Will Swenson's family and his near missing out on "Mormon". But his indomitable spirit will see him well served very soon. The madness began up near Amsterdam in a gridlock. Then we arrived at the red carpet and the real craziness began. Tovah Feldshuh was behind us, Beth Leavel asked me how I was enjoying it all and then crossed her eyes!

 I saw McKenzie Crook, Mark Rylance, Tyne Daly and Helen Reddy all as close as a spit!

 Then began the first avalanche of photography which would  have set epileptics off in a flash! I hung back while Sheldon was assailed to "Look here" "Look there" "Look everywhere" Next came the interviews with various media who Sheldon was shunted toward by Joe, the wonderful company publicist. He looked a million bucks too.

  I just stood back and  watched as all  this happened to Vanessa Redgrave, Donna Murphy, Christie Brinkley, Brooke Shields, Matthew Broderick, and hosts of others. Al Pacino was fascinating.. He and his partner decided to miss it all and charged like bulls past the line and into the theatre!

 A media frenzy was once just a term.  I have felt one first hand!
Then we went into the foyer. I met Josh Gad who was looking as frightened as we but as gloriously excited as we were too. I gave him and Sheldon a blessing and knew that it really didn't matter who won from then on.

The auditorium of the Beacon was a twenties delight..as I imagine the now demolished Ziegfeld was..rich reds oranges and pinks with a canopied dome screaming textures and waves of coloured plaster with gold statues  and lances and scenes from fables.

 It is a perfect venue.
 The technical world the viewers do not see is a marvel. Every seat is filled all the time. But as the nominees and presenters leave their seats they are replaced by beautifully dressed temporary replacements. One left in front of me and there was Miss Lansbury sitting for most of the night in relaxed but slightly tired elegance..God how used to this some of these people are.  Stephen Colbert, Harry Connick and Jon Cryer were in front of us too for long periods in various states of interest. In the breaks armies of cameramen, sound people and ear-pieced assistants ran or crawled up and down the aisles ..some backwards to film the awardees running to collect their prizes. It was never boring because in the ad breaks other awards like sound, costume and set design were presented.
Those of you who watched the telecast know all the programme . My favourite moment was the selection from "The Scottsboro Boys"..sweet sadness in its early demise.

I had my favourites for each category and when one didn't get a gong I just accepted it and moved on. Found myself automatically doing that when Sheldy's ship passed by leaving us waving it goodbye!

After the curtain plunges we got lost trying to find the limo, got lost trying to find the queue to the special bus so decided to walk. My shoes pinched and a tux button flew off. While we combed the detritus of the pavement these two elegant besuited dudes offered us a lift to the Plaza so off we sailed in a yellow cab!
The famous landmark offered three floors of marble splendour and in particular the shopping arcade which had been turned into a bazaar of chocolates, sushi, chinese delicacies, macaroons, mini burgers and gallons of booze. Many people congratulated Sheldy including a splendidly gowned Donna Murphy who was so gracious and warm.

But the excitement was soon being replaced by a longing for the last episode of "The Killing" so while most of the invitees to the bash were whirling in through the Plaza's revolving doors we were being flung out in the opposite direction towards the cab rank. Soon our dress shirts were in the laundry bag, our suits on their hangers and two cups of tea resting on our bellies. Til another time!!!      xxxx

And thank you so much for the glorious love you guys have lavished on us..our hearts are full