[Sundae]

Off we went to the Young Vic (as opposed to the Old Vic, where I went to see Mark Gatiss in All About My Mother.)

It didn't open its doors on time or start on time - of course.
But when it started I didn't think about that again. In fact I've only remembered it now in writing this up.

My Perfect Mind is a two-hander with Paul Hunter and Edward Petherbridge.
The premise is that Paul Hunter is a psycho-analyst dealing with a patient who believes he is Edward Petherbridge. The fourth wall is broken on many occasions, and it is seen Petherbridge has a King Lear complex. In fact he went to New Zealand to play Lear and had a stroke before he got onstage. In the play this is obviously eating away at him, but it must be cathartic in a way.

There are many references to his previous work, to Shakespeare and past and present events. It's a masterpiece. Hunter is wonderful but of course Teddy P steals the show. And not sneakily in the night; in a complete balls-out suave gentleman burglar kind of way. "Yes I'm stealing it, but you want me to really, don't you?"
He is generous too, no need to prove his acting chops.

We walked out and there was an usher with something like an old cigarette tray/ ice-cream tray. I hoiked Ste back and asked whether he wanted to buy Mr P's book for Mum - it was referenced in a wink-wink way in the show. Oh yes, he wanted. Bless him.

So we asked where we should wait for Teddy to come out (I was thinking Stage Door) and it turned out he left through the bar and often had a drink with friends and fans. So we waited there. Now me, with my extensive online stalking credentials, knew that if we were to ambush him without annoying him, we would have to have our tricks of the trade ready. Pen? Check. Camera ready to switch on and take photo immediately? Check. Book out and ready to sign? Check.

I have the eyes of frightened prey and therefore am always alert to my surroundings.
I spotted him as soon as he stepped into the bar and hissed at Steven "Go, Go, Go! Operation Teddy P!" Or something like that.

I heard him tell the lady in front of us (the only other person waiting) that he was meeting some very important people, so couldn't talk. Bugger. He is a working actor and no doubt it was about a job. She was obviously a long-term fan as he recognised her. Still reasonably undeterred, I approached him and immediately apologised, because I'm English.

He was lovely. He said he really didn't have any time to spare but I asked if he could just sign the book for my Mum, who wasn't able to come because she was ill. Just a signature. His demeanour didn't change - the appointment was obviously genuine and not an excuse, but he insisted on writing a proper message and telling me to give her his love. He then apologised for his writing which he admits has not come back completely since the stroke.

Kiss on both cheeks. Thanks from him for coming, for buying the book. Thanks from me for a sheer enormity of the show (haha, got it in!) and his talent.

And photo. Bless Stevo. All ready to go and done and dusted. We took up about 3 minutes of his time, probably less, and I think we were all the happier for it. Oh - just to note this was approx 10 minutes after he came off stage. Although it's a small theatre he is still wearing some stage make-up. I've seen him in many other settings, he's not a make-up kinda guy.