Whoopi Arrives

We tweaked and twiddled, prodded and poked, rehearsed and re-rehearsed act I yesterday morning, in anticipation of our visitor.

Four o'clock arrived. The general buzz became subdued as people quietened down, scared of missing the arrival. The corridors were jammed with loiterers, hoping for an early glimpse. All the entrances were manned. Every time the door opened someone cricked their neck as heads turned sharply to see if it was her.

And then she arrived.

It wasn't the grand entrance we had all hoped for; quite the opposite. All the various Stage Entertainment people came through the doors: producers, assistants, publicity, marketing, TV crews and photographers... But where was Whoopi?

She had ducked behind some pieces of set at the back of the room and emerged from the corner quietly. I wondered if she had hoped to enter unnoticed. No such luck. As soon as her head emerged she was halted in her steps by a loud and sustained applause. She stood there, grinning at us, while people took no pains to hide their cameras, grabbing their photo opportunity.

What was it about her? Was she embarrassed? No... She didn't exactly look uncomfortable; it was something else. I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

Then I realised. It was as if she had been warned how excited we would all be and was dutifully indulging us, but didn't really see what all the fuss was about. It was that simple. She seemed to think it odd, but was unfazed regardless.

After a few minutes, she was ushered to her seat in the front row.

All through the performance, eyes darted to Whoopi. Every gag, every moment, every step, she was watched as she watched. It was like one of those moments when someone tells a joke you already know and you find your enjoyment in watching the other person's reaction. I wonder if she knew how much scrutiny she was under.

When we had finished, she said a few words to us about the piece - how the film was created, who turned down the role before she was offered it (FYI it was Cher and Bette Midler, but not necessarily in that order), how all the nuns were old Broadway dames (Witch loved his one).

It was weird to see her in the flesh. A woman I have looked up to since I was a child; laughed at; adored; idolised, even. And there she was, looking small and strong and not a day older than she did in Sister Act. What an inspiring lady.

I got a few shots, but I thought this one (of Whoopi with Patina Miller, who is very capably filling her shoes for the musical) was really sweet.

An extraordinary afternoon.