So I went to see A View From The Bridge preview on Friday night. (Oct 23, 2015) Second time after the preview opening, and Mark’s performance was still exceptionally perfect. I felt grateful that the show could actually come to New York. It was super intense, much more intense than the NT Live ver.. Arthur Miller’s script proved to be a timeless piece and Mark did an extraordinary job bringing it to stage. I could spent 1000 words talking about the show and its theme and all the acting, but this is not the main point here.
Before I went that night, I was debating whether I should ask him if he could draw Merlin. I love Merlin since Kingsman’s on and love Jim and Tinker Tailor and spy genre in general and a lot a lot a lot of others. It seems a lot to ask, I don’t know, maybe I was thinking too much, but it was indeed my first time planning to see a show multiple times and waiting for someone I respect and admire at the stage door and trying to talk to him and trying to say something other than “it was a great show and you are marvelous.” In those few seconds language always seems to be pale and transparent.
He came out, greeting and signing. The night was cold, and he wasn’t wearing a lot. He didn’t carry any pen so he borrowed fan’s. Holding a lot in my hand (play bills, tinker tailor book, sketchbook, phone…) I thought he would continue to use it so I put mine back into my bag. After a few minutes he came to me.
“Hi.” He greets, smiling.
WHERE IS MY PEN.
I panicked and borrowed a pen and he began signing.
IF YOU DON’T SAY IT NOW THEN WHERE CAN YOU FIND CHANCE ANYWHERE ELSE.
I greeted him, stumbled over the words, saying something like “I met you and Mrs Strong on Wednesday after the opening…” hoping he could remember.
“Yeah I remember.” He smiled and looked at me. I gathered courage and said could you please also sign the Tinker Tailor book.
“Sure. Where?”
I flip through the pages madly, for I hope he could sign on the first chapter, the one about Jim Prideaux. It all happened too fast and after I got home I found he actually signed next to the introduction. But he also added right next to Mark Strong, Jim Prideaux’s name. I AM TOTALLY RUINED. SUCH A SWEET MAN.
Then I reminded myself there’s one more thing. PLEASE GOD GIVE ME COURAGE.
So I told him he has a lot of fans in China, and they all love him, but some of them could not come here to see the show.
He listened and nodded.
And I asked him if it’s possible for him to draw Merlin.
“To do what?” He asked. SWEET SWEEET HEART SO POLITE.
“Draw Merlin…” I CRACKED.
“Draw Merlin!” He said with his perfect British accent, and a part of me died inside. He must be surprised by my request and made a funny face and sighed, “I’m not very good at drawing to be honest…urhhhhhh…What does he have?” He began to draw, “He has this kind of thing going on…”
Glasses first, then eyes, then the bald head, then mouth, then nose, and that sharp chin.
I AM GONE GONE GONE WITH THE WIND GONE TO THE PARADISE MY HEART DIED AND ROSE FROM ASHES
“Is that OK?”
YES YES YES YES IT’S PERFECT INCREDIBLE I LOST MY VOICE
I asked him to sign and he also added (Merlin)
“OK?” He smiled and gave it back to me.
THANK YOU SO MUCH MARK STRONG YOU ARE BEYOND AMAZING I’M FOREVER AT YOUR FEET
THE CUTEST, SWEETEST, MOST PATIENT MAN I’VE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE WHO DREW SO WELL
A MIRACLE SPEACHLESS IN TOTAL HAPPINESS I LOST MY BREATH AND DROWNED
