Lee Mead Forum

I'm not sure if this is the place for this thread, but here goes...................................

Before Lee (I'm not sure BL, like BC - is quite appropriate - LoveLees help?!) - it had never occurred to me to wait at a theatre before or after a show. However, I have done occassionally since.

I am therefore, interested in other peoples' experiences.

My first SD experience was at The Adelphi. I had read on DotOrg that there was to be a meet-up on Aug. 28th. 2007. I had a booking for 'The Sound of Music', but having seen LEE (Joseph) twice already I wanted to meet other 'like-minded' people. I met a lot of LoveLee people that day and have re-met many of them, young and old. I went on to see TSOM but wished I had been at Joseph.

It is wonderful to know that many of those to whom I said 'Hi' are still here to talk to and to share Lee experiences with.

Now, I would like to hear what experiences you have all had at other theatres.

I hadn't either before Lee. I have only once been to the Stage Door for Lee though and that was on 9th January with a group of others. Prior to that I had just joined the scrum.

I saw Daniel and Ramin Karimloo locally when they were up here taking part in a show and they were very nice.

the only other person I have stage doored for is the wonderful John Barrowman. He was so lovely. He spends so much time with the fans and it was such a positive experience. This was following Aladdin in 2007. He was stopped at the stage door when he going out for his lunch and didn't complain. Then after the show he stood for ages signing autographs and having photos with the fans despite the fact that his Mom and Dad were waiting for him in the Foyer and he only had two hours between shows.

This year he had to stop it during Robin Hood due to a recurrence of a virus he had and he was concerned he would keep getting ill and have to go off the show. therefore, he stopped the stage door appearances. Can't blame him for that.

I always knew that The Adelphi Experience was special from pre-show in Maiden Lane to LoveLee excitement post-srum. Do any other shows/casts have the same effect?

I was at 'Oliver' on Tues. There was a low barrier infront of the Stage Door and despite about 50 fans waiting, I easily found a place opposite the doors. Two printed notices stated that Mr. Atkinson would only sign Oliver related material and that Jodie was going straight home to bed - under doctor's orders.

Cast members drifted out unnoticed it seemed.

Rowan (sorry, Mr. Atkinson) duely came out and signed programmes. He was gracious but didn't smile once. As soon as an autograph was received people moved away and it was SO quiet. I didn't expect screaming but.........

I've only experienced Stage Dooring at the Adlephi Sal so have nothing to compare it to but your time at the Oliver Stage Door sounds very dull!!

I suppose that's one of the reasons we love Lee so much, that he 'gives back' to his fans

To be honest, with someone like Rowan Atkinson I'd try to be respectful and polite too, so I do really understand that. From what I've heard, things are busier when Jodie is there.

But I've had good experiences at other stage doors too. SDing at Robin Hood was fab, for example. I had already experienced that a bit when I was at Aladdin, like Marilyn said, JB was brilliant there, but I think in many ways Robin Hood was even more special.
I guess it depends on how you're going to a stage door too. If you've seen a show only once and you don't really know or recognize the cast of course it's different from stagedooring at a show where you're part of the 'fanbase' and do know most people.

I agree with you Marieke. There is, of course, respect for Rowan Atkinson and I would think that practially all those present were at Oliver for their first (probably only) visit.

However, I have stage doored at Hairspray - twice. There were only a handful of waiting fans both before and after each show and only 2 or 3 who knew any of the supporting cast by name.

It really does seem that the Joseph Experience is (was?) unique.

Ah, ok! When I was there, there were quite a few people who seemed to know the cast, but maybe that differs per day too!

And I do agree that the Joseph experience is special tho!!

My strangest 'stage door' would be at Wembley Arena about 12 years ago now - we had two cars with us that night, one of which broke down on the way to a show, but we pushed it to the car park then called the AA when we came out olol

We 'stage doored' at the gates leaving the back of the arena, then once the star had gone we left the area and went back to our cars which overlooked the gates.

By the time the AA got to us (about two hours later) not only had the star and supporting artists gone, but we'd also watched them pack up the whole 'set' including grand piano and that had left as well!!

My stage door experiences are as follows (I think...)

Adelphi (Joseph) - Lee Mead, Lewis Bradley, James Bisp, Tom Gillies, possibly others but I can't remember.

Queen's (Les Miserables) - Drew Sarich, Jon Robyns, David Thaxton, Allyson Brown, Nancy Sullivan, Earl Carpenter, Gary Watson (though VERY briefly, I was just sort of there when my friend was talking to him...)

Her Majesty's (Phantom of the Opera) - Earl Carpenter, Ramin Karimloo, Nic Greenshields, Robyn North, Leila Benn Harris, Michael Xavier, Alex Rathgeber, John Addison, Andrew Thwaite, Matthew McKenna, Lindsey Wise, Naomi Cobby, Katie Hall, Sofia Escobar, Wendy Ferguson, Sam Hiller

Savoy (Carousel) - Lindsey Wise, Jeremiah James, Kathryn somebody (awful but I can't remember her name and don't have my programme handy.) I was going to wait for Lesley Garrett but I got distracted talking to someone from the orchestra and missed both her and Alexandra Silber.

Erm..... I THINK that is all, but I'm certain I'm missing someone from HMs. Lol yes I have met a lot of people from there.