LOL, Allison, at your suggestion for Bethan's husband to get the ball rolling on the Nigerian refugee/SLOW connection. And yet...it's not so far fetched, is it. Between us and the FOF ladies and everyone else, we'd get that theatre filled and for a very worthy cause. No, no, no, I don't mean Colin Firth Appreciation Night (though that would certainly be an incentive). Rita, Allison, you can't be away from us for more than a day right now or you'll have 100 messages to catch up on. We're all waiting now for Renate and Kirsten's report. Perhaps that will help me get over this curiously sad feeling I have knowing that right now he's doing his next to last performance and then there is just one more and it's all over. By the way, Ben, Karen, Evelyn and I did eat at Belgo Centraal last Friday night. Since my Firthitis was rather bad at that moment, I barely touched my meal but the beer was good. Belgo is full of atmosphere though I understand the lavatory is truly something to gush about. Thanks for the tip. I'll forgive you for calling us ingenuous (or was it disingenuous?) though I know you only meant it in the best sense - "babes" in the wood. Moon, could you e-mail me your address? I've lost it in my filing system full of little bits of paper.

(Karen)Or could this be Alan Yentob No, Alan Yentob was there on Friday night. He is fortyish. Close cropped/ balding with designer stubble. Dark features. My E-mail is allm@iname.com. Would love to see all the pics.

Yes, where are the reports from Arami, Renate and Kirsten? Did they go on Friday night? Or are they doing a doubleheader on Saturday? Can't wait to hear about their experiences with The Man Himself! And I don't believe for one minute that they will be shy about it, especially when they see others taking the initiative.

Allison, thanks I am feeling much better I don't know what came over me, I think its just that he has been a fantasy figure for so long and we have always found it so difficult to get any news on him that suddenly there he was in the flesh with hundreds and hundreds of fans all around him and,of course it it had nothing to with whether he was available or not. not at all, it just it suddenly hit me that he is not Mr. Darcy and not just a wonderful actor but a real person, and for a minute my illusions w re shattered but I certainly don't want to leave Allison I have made far too many lovely friends here, some of whom I have met, and I realy enjoy reading and contributing to all the postings and I am looking forward to Colin's future projects, Donovan Quick, Bridget Jones, Mary Queen of Scots, Marked Man....and the next stage work.

(Karen)I have some pictures with CF on the staircase at the Donmar and he is shaking hands with an older man I�d like to see those pics, could you email them to me, Karen? Anyway, I�d like to see everybody�s pics, and let everybody see mine. If you mean the man who was on the top of the stairs with Colin, he�s the one who stood right beside me and Jana up there. Their meeting is very clear in my memory because I watched it so closely, Colin seemed surprised and very delighted and I can still hear his glad voice greeting him, with a big smile....it seemed to me that the man was somehow personally important to Colin. Heide, please answer my email concerning the photos I took of you & C.

--Karen R--I have a clipping of the Chicago production of 3 DoR review out of entertainment Weekly. Do you want me to send it?? Evelyn--Sorry, I know how embittered you are that DB didn't get nominated at all, but do not begrudge Tom Wilkonson...he did a marvelous jop. IMO better than GR --AnnW--I'm sorry you are so shocked and unhappy about the comedown, but after you've been in the stratosphere even a little while, down to earth initially seems mundane. But I hope by now you reconsidered it all. Who you met is no "ordinary bloke" with an "ordinary job"--He is unique, remarkably talented and you lucky girl were privileged to be in the presence of an EXTRAORDINARY human being, the likes of which you will never see again.

Ann, Didn't Colin say in one of his interviews that his aunt begged him not to play Darcy as it would spoil all her illusions!! And didn't Bridget Jones feel the same way.... (long quote) "Ugh. Just about to watch Panorama on the trend of well qualified female breadwinners"...when I stumbled upon a photograph in the Standard of Darcy and Elizabeth, hideous, dressed as modern-day luvvies, draped all over each other in a meadow.....Apparently they are already sleeping together. That is absolutely dosgusting. Feel disorientated and worried, for surely Mr Darcy would never do anything so vain and frivolous as to be an actor, and yet Mr Darcy is an actor. Hmmm. All v.confusing." : ) Allison, great idea for SLOW! It would be the only way I could ever manage to meet CF with my DH in tow! Seriously, I really hope SLOW will get a proper release. Out of interest I searched on Alta Vista for SLOW and it's listed for a 98 release, along with a lot of other films, most of which I recognise and which I know have subsequently been released. So at one stage it was obviously scheduled for release and there was no problem. BTW, according to another snippet, Colin's character is an award-winning s i-fi writer, and some of the scenes take place in his study. 3DOR will soon be finishing...I hope the applause is LOUD and that that we get some first-hand reports of the Last Night!

I do not understand. There were a bunch of people in Chat when I went in after sending my picture to those whose picture I had seen. Suddenly they are all gone. Must not have liked mine!

(Winter)....teen sci-fi (Wing Commander) Saffron Barrows (Nan-Oh- Nan in COF) is co-starring in that. Took a while to get a co-star role!! (Allison)Evelyn. Don't you find that �1 is more or less equal to $1? I wish...that hasn't happened for about 10 years, Allison. How about$1.67 or thereabouts. We call it the Two-dollar-pound, actually. When you factor in conversion.Nope...10. UKP is still $17. But Ann tells me in her neck- of- the woods movies only cost 5 UKP which is about our prices. ***** I hope the high-power-director...Mr. Boorman, stayed around to see all of Colin's admirers waiting for him. I tell you, ODB was on Cloud 9 on Saturday night.It was all over his face. **** You know, that Charity Benefit idea for the Nigerian refugees is not so far fetched.Allison, who is in charge of this organization. Maybe we could get them together with the bank.Pl. email me. And if SLOW ever sells,that would be a good cause for the Premiere.Good publicity for the film. African causes are hot now. And we could all go:-) All Riiiight....I think we have somethin' cookin'heah... (evelyn get outta' this Colin- Firth-business; you have enough to do!!)

(Evelyn)(evelyn get outta' this Colin- Firth-business; you have enough to do!!) Oh no you don't. LOL!!! If not for you, our intrepid Firth-trekkers would still be hiding Firthlessly behind the bushes waiting for a passing glimpse of him. Stay right in there. We may never see SLOW without your intervention. And if it fails, at least you tried!!! BTW, you made a great man feel almost as good about himself that evening as we do about him. I treasure those pictures of him looking like he has just been granted the vision of the Holy Grail (aka Evelyn).

(Marcia)There were a bunch of people in Chat when I went in after sending my picture to those whose picture I had seen. Suddenly they are all gone. Must not have liked mine! LOL. Ah, who was it who blamed me for being paranoid??!! Thanks Marcia for the picture, I really don�t think it�s THAT bad!:-)

Elena, thank you, I needed that. (From one photophobic to another =D)

All of you eager lurkers out there...please post something before you ask me to send you the pictures taken in London. Please try to imagine my posting your photograph and name all over the world for people to see. I will not do that to these very special ladies. Become one of us and I will be delighted to accommodate you.

I'd like to see some photos if I haven't seen them yet. lauram30@hotmail.com

Laura, an oversight on my part. You did get the sideways winner!!! the others are on their way

i did and Heide looks adorable!

If you're interested in reading about the refugee work which (I preume) CF supports, check out today's Observer (front page Headline) http://www.observer.co.uk "Red Nose funds UK refugees" "Comic Relief, Britain's most high-profile charity is pouring money into programmes for refugees and asylum seekers in this country because it believes new immigration laws will force them into destitution...all benefits are to be removed creating a cashless underclass." We apparently have a backlog of 60,000 cases in the UK, with many individuals surviving in abject poverty. The Daily Telegraph "journalist" who interviewed CF should read this!!

A big thank you to Marcia, Elena, and Karen for the pictures and links. The one with Heide and CF is great. And Marcia, you look adorable surrounded by all that sportswear :-) (Evelyn -- SLOW Charity Benefit idea for the Nigerian refugees) All Riiiight....I think we have somethin' cookin'heah... There's no doubt in my mind, the women of Spring are amazingly resourceful. On the other hand, it feels like one of those old Mickey Rooney movies...LET's put on a show! I'll volunteer to design the flyers/posters.

SPRING CONGRATULATIONS TO; WINTER : Upon achieving her Master's Degree...We're proud of you,Jenn. ANN W. Happy Birthday!!!! (Better you than me, ole buddie)Have a super day. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THE UK SPRING MUMS!! ******* Heide...you look like the happiest woman in England and I am sure you were. Show it to your co-workers...tell em' he's your British Boyfriend :-) At least you can do that....I'd be arrested for being a pedophile!! Girls are we not proud of our Karen!!!She has become quite proficient at scanning and designing webpages pages.Thanks a Bunch! ******** (Emma) the women of Spring are amazingly resourceful. ...... ..LET's put on a show! The women of Drool couldn't get this together...we're too scattered..but I bet we could be facilitators and get the interested parties together.

Happy Birthday, Ann!!!

...I'd be arrested for being a pedophile!! LOL!!!! But you know, our dear Boy seemed to really like you, doing everything you asked from him and putting you in front of him in the picture....you should�ve asked him to come for a drink with us and he would�ve done that too, definitely:-)

Happy Birthday Ann. If someone will send me her Email address, I will send her the pics. AnnW is the only one I have not sent them to who is actually in them. Jenn, albolutely blown away by your achievements. Fantastic Felicitations! Now that Sunday is almost over depending on where you live, or just beginning for me, have you all raided the newspapers on the neighborhood porches for the USA Today magazine? There he is with Judi Dench and someone asks if he is married. They respond that he is married to !actress! Livia G. Come on!!!

Happy Birthday Ann! Thank you Evelyn for the program! I got it yesterday and it was a very exciting moment for me!

Hello Stacey! Welcome aboard!!! It is so good to have your posting...have you gotten the 4 photos yet? I forget =(

Congrats, Jenn!!! Happy Birthday, Ann! perhaps a bday celebration in chat is warranted?

Let me add my good wishes to you both: Happy Birthday Ann! :-) and Good going, Winter!! Heave sigh of relief; it's all over and you did it! Wonderful!

Thanks everyone for your birthday wishes, although I am trying to forget them nowadays. . I have been thoroughly spoilt today as my birthday coincided with Mothering Sunday, have put my feet up and James cooked the Sunday lunch!!! Thankyou you Heide for your email you too are a classy lady and I hope we may meet again someday as we didn't get much time to chat. Also Marcia I would love to see the photos but I am afraid my email doesn't accept photos, will have to talk James into getting a new one and than you Evelyn for my lovely birthday surprise. I wonder how thing went last night, I can't wait to hear from Renate, does anyone know when she gets home.

Congratulations Winter!! Does this mean now you'll have to get a job? Boo. Happy Birthday, Ann. And on Mother's Day too. I'll bet James will treat you very well today. Moon, I need your snail mail address. That's what I lost. our dear Boy seemed to really like you, doing everything you asked from him and putting you in front of him in the picture. Absolutely, Evelyn. Who do you think that big grin was for? Damn, I only get Parade Magazine in my Sunday paper, not USA Today. Actress Livia? Well, at least they didn't make her a model.

sorry yes, how self centred, congratulations Winter.

And I meant to say above, Absolutely, Elena, not Evelyn. But it was Evelyn Colin was grinning for, not me.

I would have a life-sized blow up of that pic made, and hang it in my office or cubicle, Heide. I cannot tell his smile was for anyone other than you, and they will not know if you do not tell them. Smile as smugly as possible and make no comments. Ummmmm!

Winter, congratulations on your achievement! Ann, many happy returns! I've been thinking of Nan, and sorry that she cannot be sharing this adventurous times with us right now. I've also been wondering about the ladies who went to the last performance, and how it went for them. I can't understand why Arami at least hasn't posted anything yet!

Happy Birthday, Ann ! Please mail your adress to : SPalko6487@aol.com or SabinePalkowski@aol.com then I will send you the pic !!!

Ann, the second one was wrong: SabinePalkowski@hotmail.com Thanks !

(Heide)But it was Evelyn Colin was grinning for, not me But didn�t you say that it was his own initiative to ask you if you wanted a photo with him? What made him ask that, have you thought about it?? And he seems to have felt very relaxed with you, which is remarkable. I have some other pics where he�s with some unknown ladies and there his face is a bit strained. Augh, that�s what�s risky in posing for a pic with one�s idol, it would be terrible to see in his face that the situation was an ordeal to him! Btw, in several of the pics there is a guy in the background with a moustache watching the happenings in the lobby, in Karen�s pic of Colin & �Boorman� too. I wonder if Colin had a bodyguard?! (Could�ve been someone�s husband too!)

No, the mustached man is someone's husband. The circumstances of Heide's pictures. As I recall, Colin was standing right there and I physically pushed her into him, which is why their eyes are straight forward on my picture as I was trying to take the picture, but my camera was initially not cooperating. It had jammed. For the longest time I can remember, Colin looked exasperated and was giving up on me, when I moved the camera away and then the flash went off. But most everything else was a blur to me. ;-D

Yippee, so there IS a picture of me and Colin together, and what�s more, my head seems to be resting comfortably against his shoulder. Wish it had!!! (=Karen�s picture, page 3). Thanks, K! Ann, congratulations. Please email me your address and I�ll send you some pics.

Marcia, thanks for the pix, they did download and I saved them in paintbrush. You are a very lovely group ladies! I have a pix with Winter and Jana2 from our LA tea, but I don't have a scanner. Happy belated Birthday Ann! Now we wait for Renate, Kirsten and Arami.

Happy Birthday, Ann!! --Karen--thanx for the program so super quick...I've e-mailed you. --So where are all the photos already!!!!!!

(Heide)...But it was Evelyn Colin was grinning for, not me. Wrong. He DID ask if you, yes you, Heide.. wanted a picture made with him and K&I pushed you into him. In the group pic he only smiled....in Heide's pic he showed teeth and dimples that you could put your fist in....or better ...face it. I hope someone is sending me a hard copy of the group picture....Elena? Sabine?Gi?Please. I want to have it enlarged and framed.

Karen, did I forget you? I emailed the same question. Am ready to rectify if that is the case.

What pics are you guys talking about? I'm sorta clueless tonight;(

I wonder who did EMcG. hair in 3 DOR? She should take lessons from Livia who is always casually, but impeccably coiffed.

Laura, they are the ones I Emailed to you this morning.

Evelyn, if you have been looking at The Scarlet Pimpernel, I think you will agree that it appears as though no one is doing her hair. It always looks like she just crawled out of bed =P

Ah, gotcha! yes they are wonderful. I did manage to right side up the one with CF and Heide. It looked as tho they were doing the horizontal mumbo jumbo;) hee hee.

(Gi)And I hope, oh I hope, that Arami and Renate and Kirsten and whoever else is going to the Donmar tomorrow has the greatest time! We had a great time watching the play on Friday and meeting Colin afterwards. But it seems that the folks who went the previous week had a much, much better time. Evidently everything to do with the whole experience was then still fresh for everybody, including Colin himself. But the following week the novelty and surprise must have worn away. He was still very polite and extremely obliging, but appeared slightly tired. Renate and the rest of the second week's London trekkers will be back around Tuesday, nd should have much more to report, as they actually went to the last show as well.

Welcome back. You are the Firthst one all week with fresh input. too bad I cannot Email you these pictures I have been given custody of, they are the most sublime pictures of all time. I hope they got the theater posters after the last show. How exciting!

(Heide)Congratulations Winter!! Does this mean now you'll have to get a job? Boo. Thanks, Heide, and thanks very much everyone!!!! No-- I'm just as unemployable with my MA as I was with my Bachelor's. Not much use for an anthropologist without a PhD-- which is next on the agenda. (Evelyn)She should take lessons from Livia who is always casually, but impeccably coiffed. I always liked Livia's sense of style. Tres chic, no? In fact, I have to confess here, I actually went out to get my hair cut (even shorter!) and had it done sort of like Livia's. (Arami) had a great time watching the play on Friday and meeting Colin afterwards. No details? What was the extent of your "meeting Colin?" 'Fess up!

Happy birthday Ann. How long will it take you to get your PhD Winter. You have chosesn an exciting field. They just found an Indian site down by Miami that is at least a hundred years older than any before found in Florida. Thank you so very much for the pictures, Marcia.

Ladies, love the pics! You are all charming. (Laura) I did manage to right side up the one with CF and Heide. I'm showing my techno ignorance here, but how did you manage that? I've just been turning my head horizontally :-) AnnW - Happy Birthday, and Winter, many congratulations on your great achievement. So proud of you!

I'm showing my techno ignorance here, but how did you manage that? I've just been turning my head horizontally :-) If you're looking at it through MS Photo Editor (Win 97), there's an option somewhere on the top (I think "View" or "EDit"?). Select "rotate' and then select "turn left." That should get it straightened out.

Arami, PLEASE, tell us in detail what happened on Friday, or didn�t happen. I really need to know. What do you mean with Colin�s tiredness? Were there a lot of fans asking for autographs that evening? Did you ask for one, or talk to him? I really need to know..... and I�ve been thinking about Tonya who did it 8 times (at least somebody said she did), I think I would�ve done that too if I could have:-)).....btw what�s the address of Tonya�s website, she must have a ton of London material!

Arami, PLEASE, tell us in detail what happened on Friday, or didn�t happen. I really need to know. What do you mean with Colin�s tiredness? Were there a lot of fans asking for autographs that evening? Did you ask for one, or talk to him?..... and I�ve been thinking about Tonya who did it 8 times (at least somebody said she did), I think I would�ve done that too if I could have:-)).....btw what�s the address of Tonya�s website, she must have a ton of London material!

Sorry, what did I do to make that happen?

Elena, Tonya's web site is http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Lights/2524/Vignette.html However, she doesn't have anything posted from 3DOR'S yet.

(Winter) I have to confess here, I actually went out to get my hair cut (even shorter!) and had it done sort of like Livia's. Too funny! Actually, I cut bangs and reparted my hair down the center just so it *wouldn't* look like Livia's! My hair has been your basic bob for about four years.

A belated happy birthday, Ann. Sounds like you had a v. fine day! And a big pat on the back to you, Winter. Marcia, your pic is lovely (I'll take 2 blue T's in a medium--kidding). Evelyn, good idea about SLOW. Remember SusanMC's idea a month or two ago? "Firth Fans Finance Foundering Flick?" (Arami) He was still very polite and extremely obliging, but appeared slightly tired. To be expected, I would think, but not the least bit disappointing. I'm looking forward to the details. Renate, do you still plan to put the 3DOR pics up on-line somehow(when you catch your breath, that is)? I have a bunch from e-mail (thanks again, Marcia) but the more the merrier!

Arami, we are counting on your critical eye to give us a few thoughts on 3DOR. (We know you have them) Is Colin still dear to your heart after meeting him or not? Did you speak to him? Will you still keep your Darcy posters up in your house? :-D Come, come, Arami, tell us more.

I understand our DB had a sore throat and was losing his voice, a nightmare scenario for any actor, so one can't blame him for not being quite so full of fun as he was on the 6th and after 14 performances too and 14 nights signing programmes and smiling. Elena I would love to have some photos, would you kindly let me have your email address and I will send you my postal address, thanks very much.

And Renate. Or has everyone got a touch of firth stress syndrome.

I understand our DB had a sore throat and was losing his voice Ann, where did you get this from? I mean: did somebody in the audience tell you that he had problems with his voice? In that case it must have been pretty bad. Poor Colin!

I understand our DB had a sore throat and was losing his voice Po' baby...don't y'all wish y'all could have been there to kiss it and make it all better? :-) ** A horror scene, when he had to do two shows on Saturday!!

I went to see the play on the last performance on Sat night and can confirm that he did have a sore throat. However, he battled through it valiantly and his voice luckily held out - in fact, dare I say it, it actually sounded really rather sexy and did no great harm to his US accent. I am sure he didn;t feel too good though, as it did sound really quite painful, especially in the moments where he had to loudly project his voice. The audience I am sure feeling for him gave a resounding amount of applause.

Arami, don�t torture us with your silence, tell us please! Or has the famous 3DOR stress syndrome (!!) caught you too? Btw, I had the syndrome pretty bad, in fact for a moment I felt so confused after London that I thought my biggest and hottest days as a fan are over. But I think I�m recovering now, with a little help from a wise friend.

Oh, thank you Chloe. What else happened, did you stay after the performance and did he sign programs etc.?

No I didn;t stay behind for an autograph, as it was the last night I thought that the cast and friends would probably be keen to get off to a last night party or something as soon as possible. Besides, the foyer was packed and wouldn;t have been conducive for photos etc which is what I would have really liked. Colin's performance, despite his sore throat was still very powerful and as I say I found him even sexier with a croaky voice! Livia was there (as one would expect on a last night) I also spotted John Malkovitch (?sp) outside chatting to Livia and a friend of hers. However for a last night it was surprisingly un-luvvyish - most of the audience were normal folk!

Does anyone know if Colin will fly out here to LA for the Oscars?

The other Valmont...mmmm, interesting! Do they know each other? This 3DOR stress syndrome...what exactly are the symptoms? As one (of the few!)who has not had a close encounter with the Man Himself, I'd like to know. His performance seems not to have disappointed, you've met him and he's been very obliging and polite, and if he's not really the handsome Mr Darcy, well, he still looks pretty good to me. Is it his sheer normality, the fact that he walks away from the theatre with his wife, and goes back to a flat in Hackney or Islington or wherever, that takes away some of the magic and mystery? Perhaps he should have dashed past you in dark glasses and leaped into a limo? :-) And do you adjust to the reality....the reality sounds rather charming to me! But I wasn't there!!

(Winter)What was the extent of your "meeting Colin?" 'Fess up! Firth of all, let me add my congrats to everyone else's - I understand you've gone another rung up on the egghead ladder. The extent of my meeting Colin was, erm, average. (Elena) PLEASE, tell us in detail what happened on Friday, or didn�t happen. LOL! All right - I'll tell you what didn't happen - it will be a veeeeeeeeery looooooooooong story... (Moon Dreams) we are counting on your critical eye to give us a few thoughts on 3DOR. (We know you have them) The play or the production? Is Colin still dear to your heart after meeting him or not? He is. Did you speak to him? I did. Will you still keep your Darcy posters up in your house? :-D Oh, yes, definitely! (Elena)has the famous 3DOR stress syndrome (!!) caught you too? Like an attack of post-Colin depression, right? Those moments of howling anger and despair: why is there apparently only one such near-perfect specimen (NOT perfect - that would be boring!) that I know about, and why isn't he mine? It takes a lot of concentration and clear thinking to banish the resulting uncharitable thoughts...

Thank you Chole for giving us a peak on the closing night.

I too find it very intriguing that John Malkovich (the lesser Valmont) was there. The Donmar sounds like the place to be. (Has HBC dumped KB?) Although I'm just a little bit sad that it's all over, I await with great anticipation news of what he'll do next. It is impossible that we'll go back to nothing again, isn't it?

(Bethan)Perhaps he should have dashed past you in dark glasses and leaped into a limo? :-) No! What a horrible thought! (Arami)...He is...I did... Lady, are you playing hard-to-get games with us?! :-( (Evelyn) Thank you Chole for giving us a peak on the closing night. Indeed, I add my thanks.

Arami, you know us well enough by now to know that we want ALL the details! How was the production? Did you like his acting? What exactly did you say to him, and what did he answer? (I hope thus helps):-) Chloe, thanks for your report. Did he get the most applause at the end? Do you happen to know where the closing party was and who attended? As Heide said, the Donmar was the place to be. Renate and Kirsten, we look forward to your reports.

(Gi)(Arami)...He is...I did... Lady, are you playing hard-to-get games with us?! :-( Yes, Arami, out with it! Out with it! You know how we are! (Elena) in fact for a moment I felt so confused after London that I thought my biggest and hottest days as a fan are over. I'm intrigued by this. Winter, I believe you made comments along these lines regarding the LA premiere (thought you'd stop posting at Drool, felt somewhat guilty, etc.). I would think the experience of meeting Firth-in-the-flesh would heighten one's fan-dom. Or is meeting him the pinnacle and after that everything else is a letdown (at least initially)? I see by the posts that everyone is reacting differently to their 3DOR experience but as one who still worships from afar (you're not alone, Be han), I'm curious.

It's not so much of a let-down as it was a realization of how real he is, and that engaging in fervent drooling over him made me feel...guilty. Can't explain this well enough, maybe it's the ex-Catholic in me. ;-)

PREMIERE MAGAZINE (US)April, 1999 has just published a list of the "Critic's Choice" :The Nation's Top Critics Rate the 100 Most Noteworthy Films of 1998. #1 SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE #2. Pvt. Ryan LOL Remember last year we were all moping around 'cause the same list had rated ATA #94 in 1997!! TEP was #1 the year before that. And #100 this year is "The Avengers". (Sorry, Rafe) Let's hope ODB stays up there for '99.

One more thing.... THE GENERAL directed by John Boorman is #8. Karen tells me this film took tops at Cannes.Mr. Boorman is the gentleman with whom Colin is enthusiastically shaking hands in the 3 DOR pictures.He attended on Saturday night and K. took the pic. Someone overheard Mr. Boorman congratulating Colin on his performance. Perhaps.....this will produce something positive for Colin. It was really v. courageous of him to take this role. On the other hand also v. astute instead of taking on an old chestnut (another Ibsen!!), he selected a play no one haad ever done before...the London debut for the author.The NY Times compared the author, Richard Greenberg, as the new Edward Albee.!!

Ohmygod, that is one of the reasons I hardly ever go to the theatre in Lisbon: Ibsen and Tcheckov! The main reason is poor acting. They can make you cringe like chalk on board, or go to sleep over a Shakespeare commedy.

Now, what would I give to be in the same room as Colin and John Malkovitch! Do you think JM knows that Colin categorized his performance as making all those "boo-hissy faces." BTW, I saw "Cruel Intentions" yesterday. Funny thing is that the reviewers keep saying that this one is true to the book. Not quite! Actually, this Valmont is closer to Forman's interpretation, i.e., you really like him and there is no doubt whatsoever that he really loves the Madame de Tourvel character who is called Annette H rgrove (Reese Witherspoon). Ending is definitely not the book, not Frears and not Forman. Totally different. But I kind of liked the movie. Go see. Now I only have to find the Roger Vadim version and I will have seen them all!

with the help of Marcia I'm trying to delurk. Sorry about my English, I should have paid more attention in English classes... I saw SIL here in Israel yesterday with two of my friends (a male and a female) and I liked it very much! the female friend and I both agreed that Colin looked great, not at all fat! the male friend thought he played just fine and was very surprised when I told him about TW and GR being Oscar nominees. He didn't even notice them until I told him they are playing in the movie. The only problem in the movie was actually the translation of Colin's name. CF name was written like that: Colin Firs (and this is after P&P, TEP, ATA, and FP were released here with no problem what so ever with Colin's name!) Nobody here (except my friends and family I think) know who CF is, this is quite frustrating. Arami, please tell us more!

Adi, welcome! I'm glad Marcia brought you in!

Ladies , thank you all so much for your recent good wishes and thoughts ( Ben too,) that you have so kindly posted. They meant a great deal to me , and obviously worked as my mother has recovered. I have read the MAMMOTH backlog of posts, which as usual, makes riveting reading. I will relate an amusing anecdote re the sending of the flowers, but now I must sort out and send my photos, or I fear I will never be allowed on here again!!!

Welcome Adi, you have found a wonderful group with which to share your passion. They are supportive , kind and sensitive (to name a few ) but then what other kind of people could Colin attract as his fans? O.K. O.K I'm going to go and send off those photos, ..... really!!!

Sorry if I haven't posted anything yet. I am still trying to sort out myself and my memories. There was hardly any time to think during the 4 Days of Sunshine in London, and I need it badly. Also need some time to fight the Post-Donmar-Blues. But I promise to post a report, later.

Renate, we await your report very eagerly!

Adi dear, thanks for taking the plunge. You are just what we needed. Renate, was CF there?

Lizza, glad you are back and that all is well with your mother. An amusing anecdote, do not keep us waiting long. :-D Welcome Adi, what part of Israel are you from? Have the reviews for SIL been positive? (Karen), Now, what would I give to be in the same room as Colin and John Malkovitch! Me too! And, to be a mind-reader. ;-)

(Renate),I am still trying to sort out myself and my memories. Sounds serious Renate, I hope we will all be of help. (The Firthettes to the rescue!)

(Renate)I am still trying to sort out myself and my memories...also need some time to fight the Post-Donmar-Blues. Renate, that sounds familiar, but it�ll pass. I�m really looking forward to hearing anything you want to tell us......I think the reason for the blues is simply that meeting one�s idol is such a huge thing that one�s mind demands a moment of peace to deal with it. Also, there is the paradox that it�s so easy to feel very close to someone from afar, but meeting him in real life reveals the factual distance. Gi, thanks for the photos, I received them today. Absolutely STRANGE to see myself in the same picture with Colin and Boorman! Can�t be true!!!!! And still it was. It�s funny, I know Boorman�s unusual face well from movies but at that moment I did not recognize him, my mind was totally *somewhere* else. And I�m still wondering about that moustached chap in the pictures, he�s everywhere, doing nothing, just looking around. A bodyguard, I say.

Elena, I wondered about him, too. He does seem to be in them all (photos). But he is not staring sternly in the opposite direction like the ones guarding our officials do. Perhaps he is a groupie and we just have not found their website. That would be amazing reading....Eeeek!

(Elena) one�s mind demands a moment of peace to deal with it. *That* is the essential point. Neither I - nor anybody of you I guess - had time enough to deal with it when it happened. "Nothing is real before it passed through our imagination", to quote dear Stephen Whalby. (Does anyone recall the correct quote?) As much fun as it was, lets face it, it's a heavy stress for many of us. I hope I can make it for chat tomorrow, but surely not before 10, 10.30pm local time. Susan, are you there? I've got something for you :-). Email me with your snail mail address.

I have been a lurker for a long time, wanting to post, really intimidated by all the creative, witty women in your group. Felt I never had anything to contribute until Evelyn suggested I share a tid-bit about the London trip. Have a friendin another group, who went to London, and told me about one of the girls was having a smoke upstairs & looking down at Colin. Inadvertantly, she whispered her thoughts aloud saying"isn't he wonderful" Livia was standing nearby and leaned over to her and said "NOT ALW YS". Well, I am sure any woman can relate, when someone is waxing, ad nauseum, about your DH or significant other. Proves tho that she feels very comfortable in her marriage to say what she wishes--when she wished. Well, I have made my debut !! Ta

Welcome EllieP. We love having you. STick around . (Have to brag that EllieP. is also a JE fan!!) **** I think the Livia comment is priceless. And shows that she has a wonderful sense of humor and is indeed, a v. secure person in her marriage. I have great admiration for her.And she certainly takes good care of ODB. A devoted and handsome couple.

EllieP, if you have chatted at length with me, you have made me very happy with your maiden post. What a joy to see you! When I first posted I was lucky to get out a line or two. Your story is priceless! How charming and disarming it is and how human the two of them are. I just love it. Made my entire week, dear!

(EllieP) Well, I have made my debut !! And what a debut it was :-). Thanks for sharing that funny story. (definitely needed it after a harried day.) And Adi, welcome to you. Your English is wonderful, and I'm glad you decided to join us. Two lovely newbies - a red letter day :-)

Welcome Adi! Welcome Ellie! So happy to have you both here! Any L.A. lurkers around? I've still got an extra seat or two available for our get-together this Saturday. Email me.

Welcome Ellie and Adi, the more the merrier, wee must unite to get this adorable man more well known and appreciated all over the world well not too well known, I don't think any of us want him to to be a Hollywood superstar, whatever that is. Renate we all or nearly all felt that same way as you after meeting the man himself but it will pass and you will once again be eager for news of new projects etc. BTW we haven't heard from Mannon for a while, are you still there Mannon and is Colin fairly well kn wn in Australia?

Adi, Ellie, Welcome! Ellie,I think your story about Livia is one of the best and most heartening stories I have heard. Wasn't it NH who said that she was like CF in being smart, worldly and self-deprecating? That remark says it all. Adi, What are the reviews like in Israel for SIL?