Last Sunday I walked the red carpet alongside the likes of Brian May, Gemma Arterton, and Nicole Scherzinger at the 2015 Olivier Awards, which are the major theatre awards in the UK, covering everything from plays to musicals. It's sort of fitting that this blog post is the first one to be published since I reached 1 Million pageviews yesterday, what a celebratory blog post eh!
I was having major issues deciding what to wear, but decided to go for my fail-safe option, my ancient Kate Moss for Topshop black dress. It's low cut at the front and back, but is calf length so it's super classy. I did have a small wardrobe malfunction though...the bra I usually wear with it was in the wash, so I had to go bra-less...however when I took my coat off the strap went with the coat...lets just say thank goodness I have long hair to cover what could have been completely on show! I also managed to whip the strap back up pretty quickly before anyone noticed that underneath my hair was my right breast.
So anyway, before that little incident happened, I got a selfie with Brian May. Yes. Yes I did. I was at the entrance to the red carpet waiting for my friends to arrive (because who walks up a red carpet alone?!), and he and his wife Anita Dobson arrived. They were on the red carpet signing autographs so I thought 'I'm probably not going to get this opportunity again' so I ran over and asked him for a photo. He was very nice and stepped away from the crowds to take a photo with me, he looked a little confused and surprised when I whipped out my phone and put the selfie mode on, and said 'Oh...ok then...'. Welcome to Generation Y Mr May.
It was quite literally a dream to meet him, I've been a huge Queen fan since I was a child, and ever since I was about 13 I've sung Bohemian Rhapsody at every possible opportunity; when drunk, when sober, karaoke, careoke, you name it and I'll find an excuse to sing it - ask all my friends, family, and work colleagues, they know all too well! However, I got slightly star struck and completely forgot to tell him this! I got into a panic and literally all I said to him was 'I'm sorry, but could I please have a photo?' and 'Thank you!'. That's. It. Good one Catherine. When Sid (who took the majority of photos in this post, btw) and the girls arrived I managed to push him to get a Brian May photo too - he was pretty pleased!
We only got one group photo of us all, I have no clue why I'm standing so far away from the rest of them! I look like such a miserable bitch haha!
As well as Brian May we also spotted David Harewood and Laura Carmichael from Downton (wasn't a massive fan of her dress...), and I got a cheeky photo with Gok Wan (which you won't see as it's pretty awful...soz).
All of a sudden we heard screams from down the carpet, so we walked back down and spotted Nicole Scherzinger! Sadly she was doing interviews so we couldn't get a photo with her.
After walking back up the red carpet it was time to head inside. We were running really late so missed the champagne reception, but I was driving so couldn't have enjoyed it anyway!
The awards ceremony itself was absolutely amazing, but I was really annoyed because you weren't allowed cameras at all, not even on the red carpet! So I must apologize for the awful camera photos :(
Anyway, the awards lasted about three hours, but after every couple of awards there was a performance from various members of the cast of the shows. Nicole Scherzinger sang Memory from Cats, which absolutely blew me away - I had goosebumps!
Angela Lansbury received her very first Olivier at the age of 89, which was a huge deal for her - she started her career in theatre and the West End, so to finally receive a coveted Olivier for Blithe Spirit was a massive achievement. I've been a big fan of hers since I used to be obsessed with Murder She Wrote, and when she went up to get the award the entire audience gave her a standing ovation!
My favourite part though was definitely the end. Kevin Spacey received an award for his services to The Old Vic theatre - did you know he's been artistic director there for the past ten years!? I never knew that! He has completely transformed the theatre into what it is today, and he finished the Olivier Awards with an unannounced performance of Bridge Over Troubled Water with Beverley Knight. I never knew how amazing he was at singing! His voice really reminded me of Elvis, and I literally couldn't love him anymore, and then he started playing the Harmonica! Ugh. Love him. What a way to end the awards!
We had such a brilliant evening, and I'd definitely recommend trying to get tickets next year if you can. As Mastercard are the main sponsor of the Oliviers, all Mastercard card holders can try and order tickets when a limited number go on sale to members of the public who have a Mastercard. The seats are all up in the amphitheater of the Royal Opera House, which I didn't mind as the view is actually pretty good. The tickets were about £60, but so worth it for the red carpet experience and amount of entertainment you get throughout the evening. As it was a Sunday night we all headed home after the awards, what with having work the next day!
Check out my vlog below to see more, including a small clip of Kevin Spacey & Beverley Knight singing!
Anyway, the awards lasted about three hours, but after every couple of awards there was a performance from various members of the cast of the shows. Nicole Scherzinger sang Memory from Cats, which absolutely blew me away - I had goosebumps!
Angela Lansbury received her very first Olivier at the age of 89, which was a huge deal for her - she started her career in theatre and the West End, so to finally receive a coveted Olivier for Blithe Spirit was a massive achievement. I've been a big fan of hers since I used to be obsessed with Murder She Wrote, and when she went up to get the award the entire audience gave her a standing ovation!
My favourite part though was definitely the end. Kevin Spacey received an award for his services to The Old Vic theatre - did you know he's been artistic director there for the past ten years!? I never knew that! He has completely transformed the theatre into what it is today, and he finished the Olivier Awards with an unannounced performance of Bridge Over Troubled Water with Beverley Knight. I never knew how amazing he was at singing! His voice really reminded me of Elvis, and I literally couldn't love him anymore, and then he started playing the Harmonica! Ugh. Love him. What a way to end the awards!
We had such a brilliant evening, and I'd definitely recommend trying to get tickets next year if you can. As Mastercard are the main sponsor of the Oliviers, all Mastercard card holders can try and order tickets when a limited number go on sale to members of the public who have a Mastercard. The seats are all up in the amphitheater of the Royal Opera House, which I didn't mind as the view is actually pretty good. The tickets were about £60, but so worth it for the red carpet experience and amount of entertainment you get throughout the evening. As it was a Sunday night we all headed home after the awards, what with having work the next day!
Check out my vlog below to see more, including a small clip of Kevin Spacey & Beverley Knight singing!
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