Sato's Report
I was able to see all Charles's stages last week.
I was in dream of 6days. I am still in dream and a little confused.
I need a lot of time to write in english, so my post was late.
I live in Japan and it takes about 20 hours from my house to London.
(I'm sorry, My name is very rare and I wish to use nickname [ Sato ] ) I would like to see his stage very much so I decided to see.
Story is difficult to understand for me. So I could just only read some reviews. But I really enjoyed every nights.
Charles was excellent and very impressive. I saw many audience moved a little their body and paid attention to Charles when he began to speak the line. Other actors was also very good. I don't know his name who played Mr.Heiz ( I don't know spelling ) young black man, he was wonderful.
After the stage, I waited him in front of the door.
I was nervous and very shy person. So I was not able to speak a lot with him. And he was very busy after the stage. But he cared of me and every night he had a time for me. I do not know whether I may write this or not. But he helped me. I was very very appreciate his kindness. He is a gentleman and very very kind.
He asked me on Thursday [Where would you stay? near here or far?]
[It takes about ten minutes from the theater. Not far. I walk to the hotel.] He said [ I'll take you there ] [ !!!!!!!]( me )
I was very glad his kindness. Because the day before the drunken man something told me and I was frightened. I told him, he looked a little surprised. Then we were out of the theater. I had forgotten to put on the coat because I had been very surprised. He noticed it soon, had my bags, and dressed my court.I took his car...I didn't remember the name of the street to the hotel. I only remembered the street buildings and I walked to see it. So he had to find the hotel. However, he found it soon by his good eyes and droped me at the entrance.
I bowed to him as Japanese and said thank you so much and he bowed like me, too. He gave me hug and kiss and said See you tomorrow !
He smiled. I like his smile very much and I always find his smile in his film and drama even if he played villains role.
He waved when I waved small. And he had waved to me again before the car disappeared. I never forgot everything and his wonderful smile.
I saw some women met him after the stage on Saturday.
I don't know well who they are at that moment.
I was near the entrance of the theater because I had fortunately every evening to meet him. After a few minutes, Charles called me.
And there were Angels whom I had seen of the photograph on the site behind of him. Kathryn was the only angel who I know.
She came straight and hugs warmly to me and she said in perfect Japanese "Where is the bank?" ( Ginkou wa doko desuka? ) Her son Jake speak in Japanese very well! I was very glad to meet her!!!
Then I met Pam and Mr.Martin, Helle and Annette.
I was very relieved to meet them!!!
That night I was a little confused and Charles said to Kathryn [take care of her ] His Angels took care of me very well. Kathryn, Helle, Annette and I went to the pub and I could not talk to much but I enjoyed very much. Wonderful time !!!
Next day I enjoyed last stage. I met him after the stage, I trying to not crying. So I couldn't show my smile. But he hugs me.
After he leaves, I watch after him until he disappears.
I cannot forget that scene. I was very glad and happy to meet him.
Thank you so much for read this long story.
To Kathryn: I'm very glad to meet you !!!! You can going to the bank in Japan! Your Jake is wonderful ! I am very glad to hearing that he and you likes to visit Japan.
To Pam and Mr. Martin: I am very glad to meet you. Thank you very much!
To Helle: Thank you so much for many wonderful pictures !!!!!!! And thank you for treating of cola !!! I will treat beer or something to you next time !
To Annette: I enjoyed talk with you when we walk to the station. You understood my English well. And you gave me the necessary courage to write on the MB. I hope that your cute and pretty kids are well !!!!
To Charles ( If you read ):
Thank you very much for everything. You are very warm and kind.
I appreciate all things from my heart. I was too shy when I met you.
But you helped me. I never forget everything in London. ARIGATOU !
( Thank you ! )
(More photos below.)
Kathryn's Report
Well, I was already in New York for the Clinton Global Initiative Conference, it's just a few more hours to London, so what the heck!
I arrived at Heathrow at 6:30 AM on Saturday. The immigration desks were understaffed, and it took two hours to get through. I then head fored town, Hyde Park and the Dorchester. I stopped for tea at an nice little tea shop on the way. You just cannot get a good cup of tea in the USA, so I sat there for an hour or so to savor it along with some lovely pastries. I walked through Hyde Park, and admired the horses trotting by, on my way to the Dorchester.
After I checked in, I took a long soak in my GIANT tub. It was so deep, I could float in it! I took a short nap, then got a call from Annette. We agreed to meet at the Hammersmith tube station.
We had no problems recognizing each other, and after some big Angel hugs, we wandered around the neighborhood looking for a good spot to eat. It was kinda early, so most places were not open yet, but we finally located a cozy little Indian place with yummy eats. During dinner, we talked about all kinds of things, and got to know each other a little bit.
Then we headed for the Riverside Studios for the play. Annette told me Helle was coming, too. We met up with her at the theater and were pleasantly surprised to find that Pam and Martin were there, too. This was turning into a real Angel Flight!
The play, the Exonerated, was very powerful. Charlie played 'Gary,' one of the prisoners who was proved to be innocent after spending many horrible years on death row. Of course, he was wonderful, and so were the rest of the cast.
Afterwards, we met up with Charlie in the lobby. He looked fantastic. He was talking to some of the other Angels and then looked up at me and said "Hiya, Doc. So you're slumming it at the Dorchester!" He kidded me about staying at such a posh place, but I told him that I had had a very bad month and that I DESERVED a little pampering. He said "There's another Angel here, from Japan. Do you know Satoru?" Well, I did know her because we had corresponded by email, so I went over and gave her a big hug. I tried to regale her with my commanding knowledge of the Japanese language. "Konichiwa. Ginko wa doko, desuka?"
We got hugs from Charlie and chatted for awhile. Mez told me to deliver a hug to him from her (which I was delighted to do.) I told him that she really wanted to come but could not make it this trip. He said he wished he could see her again. I talked to him for quite awhile about a lot of different stuff, but of course, the time went by all too quickly. We all begged him to do another play, and I told him that if he would ever gives us more that two weeks' notice, there would be an Angel Flight the likes of which he has never seen! (I hope I did not scare him. :)
After he left, Pam and Martin had to catch their train home. The rest of us went to a nearby pub where we told funny stories, passed around photos of our kids (and Helle's twin nieces) and had a great time. We walked through the park back to the tube station, and after good-bye hugs, went our separate ways. All and all, it was a wonderful evening.
The next morning, I had a long breakfast at the hotel with lots of good hot tea, eggs Benedict, the Independent and the Times. It's times like that when I wonder what would happen if I just did not go back home. Oh well, there was still time for a quick trip to the British Museum to see the Michelangelo drawings. (If you are going to be in London between now and the end of June, you really should see them, they are exquisite!) Then I was off to the airport and soon on the plane home. The trip was too short for me to even get jet lag, and I was back "healing the sick" again just eight hours after arriving home in Portland.
