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MY ADVENTURE TO THE PREMIERE OF HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE
ODEON CINEMA, LEICESTER SQUARE, LONDON
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 6TH 2005
and orderly entered the gardens. Propping ourselves on our stools we sat in what we thought was pride of place to watch the action. A security guard said that although we were down one of the pathways that lead in to the park, the actors would be coming down to say hello when we arrived. Fantastic, we thought, and unveiled our Alan Rickman banner with pride. As time drew on, we watched the mechanical dragon being revealed, breathing its fire. As the rain pounded off us, we tried to remain upbeat, albeit it became difficult with the crowd pressing against us and there was still 2 hours to go. To our horror, 30 minutes before the actors were due to arrive, the security guards blocked off our section of the gardens and said the actors wouldn’t be coming to see us. Furious, wet and miserable, Laura and I felt like leaving we were so fed up. The entire day had turned into a media centred show piece to highlight the special effects and clever “magic” they could produce for tv. Gradually the stars arrived; we could barely see Jenny Falconer interviewing them for the press mingling around and guests sauntering past towards the walkway. Predrag Bjelac arrived first, followed by Clemence Poesy and Robert Pattinson. Our area of the gardens were so poorly lit my flash had no effect and all efforts to take photographs were lost. I resorted to making short movies and I’ve managed to piece together a couple of stills from those. Daniel Radcliffe gave us a cheerful wave as he was interviewed to lift our spirits and Rupert Grint came close by before being escorted into the cinema. Emma Watson waved enthusiastically to us as she crossed the slippery walkway to the cinema, where she was greeted by several hundred fans who were standing by the brightly lit Odeon, exactly where we were told no one was allowed. But Robbie Coltrane made our day as he crossed the walkway, turning directly to us and gave us a huge Hagrid- style wave and smile. It was only when we got back and saw the media reports did we realise what other stars had been there. After 10 hours we felt rejected and low and vowed never to go to another Harry Potter premiere again. I don’t blame the actors at all for our disappointing time as they will only have been doing as they were told but feel that it could have been better organised and the emphasis should be put back onto the fans who have made the franchise the multi-million pound success that it is.
In order of appearance in the gallery
Outside the Odeon, Beauxbaton flag, Durmstrang flag, TriWizard Cup, Hogwarts flag, Goblet of Fire poster, the walkway, Leicester Square gardens, the fire breathing dragon!!, Predrag Bjelac, Robert Pattinson, Clemence Poesy, Daniel Radcliffe (4), Bonnie Wright, Clemence Poesy (2), Rupert Grint, David Tennant, Robbie Coltrane (2), Matthew Lewis, Predrag Bjelac
HARRY POTTER
AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE
Now that we were “pro’s” at these film premieres, Laura and I were prepared for the 10 hour wait that lay ahead of us on Sunday November 6th. This year we arrived at 8am, armed with drinks, snacks, camping stools, music and a bundle of enthusiasm. The day before, we’d spoken to a security guard who told us that the format for the premiere was a little different. This time, Leicester Square gardens would be the centre piece of the premiere, with fans only allowed inside the park. He explained that around the Odeon would be blocked off and the best place to be was inside the gardens. Great, or so we thought. Sunday morning came and we joined the snaking queue around the outside of the gardens. By 10.30am the park was ready and opened and we neatly
Click left for a 1.6mb file size video of the stars arriving at the premiere
Click left for a 13mb file size video of the stars arriving at the premiere
Other actors in attendance included:
Maggie Smith, Tom Felton, Katie Leung,James and Oliver Phelps, Mark Williams, David Bradley, Devon Murray, Frances de la Tour
And non-Potter celebrities, Madonna , Matthew Vaughan and Claudia Schiffer, Philip Schofield, Edith Bowman and Jo Whiley
