Thursday 29 April 2010

I so wanted to experience Stephen's 'Company'.

I've greatly admired Stephen Sondheim since I first saw one of his shows (which was, indeed, 'Company') in the mid-70s put on by students at Oxford University. A few days ago there was a TV interview with the great man himself on his then approaching his 80th birthday - and a well-preserved octogenarian he is too! But when I first saw what he looked like all those years ago I was smitten. He was hot! Then I found out about his particular 'predilections', and I do mean 'particular', and my mind was in overdrive. We would be so compatible! Then in 1991 I used to know a theatre critic who took me to a live talk and Q & A session with Mr S. at London's Barbican Theatre. The man would then have been 3 or 4 years younger than I am now. To say I was excited would have been the least of it. The theatre was packed out for the event - and for me it was a case of 'spot the star' as there were so many 'A' list British acting celebrities there. (I found myself sitting right behind the wonderful and adorable Julia MacKenzie.) When he appeared my jaw dropped. He was every bit as handsome as I'd hoped. That did it. I don't remember much about what was said during the Qs and As because my fantasies had taken flight. Even though the audience was big I was easily in his sight-line, close to the middle, about 8 rows from the front. I was willing him to look at me. Surely once he noticed me our gazes would lock - and then he'd think "Wow, he's not bad!". The entire session was spent in mind-games but though there was no obvious sign that he'd noticed me I didn't give up hope. Perhaps if I hung around afterwards someone would bring me a note - "Hi! Have you got a minute to talk? S.S." My answer would be unequivocal but I'd have to hold back a near-orgasmic enthusiasm. We'd have a drink together. He'd ask me if I'd like to come back to his hotel with him. (Would I? Sure as shit I would! - but it would take all my powers to stop visibly trembling otherwise he might think I had a dose of the D.T.s.) I'd accompany him back, we'd have a meal, a few drinks, laughs, then the discreet, exploratory touches, then....... After a night of considerable mutual satisfaction he'd pop the question "Ray, baby, would you like to come and live in NY with me and be my assistant?" "Only if my heart doesn't give out, you sex-bomb, you!" The rest would be history - but what a history!
Oh well, dream on! But if only I'd had the guts to force his attention on me by asking a question, my life could have worked out SO differently! As it is, now I don't even have a 'George' or, in fact anyone else, with whom to spend a Sunday in the park! ;-)

4 comments:

  1. What a fantasy! Living a lifetime in a fleeting moment is very exciting. I love to spend time doing this too.

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  2. It all helps to add a bit of spice if one's life is not quite as exciting as one would wish, don't it Larry? :-)

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  3. Ray, I swear you and I must be on the same wave length. A couple of months ago, I went to NYC to see Noel Coward's "Present Laughter." The next day, when I read your blog, you had written a piece about Noel Coward. Yesterday, I went to NYC to see "A Little Night Music" and the evening performance of "Sondheim On Sondheim" - a Sondheim day which I had carefully planned. Today, when I read your blog, you had written a piece on Sondheim. How weird is that? I'll also share something: I had a crush on Sondheim too, ever since I saw his "Company" in the 70's.

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  4. Paul, your comment which I've only JUST read (3 days after you wrote it, to my embarrassment) has almost spooked me out. It really is incredible - almost beyond coincidence. Just WHAT is going on here? (Btw I'm particularly pleased that you used to experience the same strong feelings towards Mr S.) I do wish I could find out more about you. I've tried several times but I see you've elected to block general access, which is your privilege. However, as long as you continue to read and comment on my blogs then that alone makes me happy. Let's see what I can come up for my next subject (other than politics) and see if we can 'meet in the ether' again. Meantime, best wishes, my faithful, though faceless, friend.

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