Snow Cake Sep 06

Gail’s report from the NAS charity screening of Snow Cake, BAFTA, London, September 28th 2006 (thanks for sharing, Gail!)

My husband and I arrived at the BAFTA Theatre for 6pm and were shown to the bar area where a section had been reserved for the Snow Cake event. There were representatives of the TreeHouse Trust and the National Autistic Society present and we were offered drinks and canapés. The area we were in gradually started to fill and my husband found it very amusing to keep saying "he's here" and I flew round to look for Alan but he was just winding me up. After a couple of times, this got boring and the next time he did it I just told him to "grow up" my husband then physically turned me round and there he was - about 3 feet away from me and he looked gorgeous. Unfortunately no photographs were allowed during the whole time in the bar area and the Theatre, although there was someone filming proceedings. Alan was stood near me for about 20-30 minutes, he was accompanied by his partner Rima Horton, the producer of the film Gina Carter and various members of the charities. Ruby Wax was also there. People were asking for autographs which he was only too happy to sign. My husband can never be accused of being shy and he stuck out his hand and said "Hi Alan, my name's Bill, very pleased to meet you", to which Alan shook his hand and said "Hi how do you do, pleased to meet you" (with that lovely smile), then Bill said "may I introduce my wife Gail!" He then reached out and shook my hand (which hasn't been washed yet - only joking) and said "Pleased to meet you". I was in heaven and grinned like an idiot for the rest of the night. I then asked him to sign my ticket - which was A5 size and had the Snow Cake publicity picture on it. We were later ushered into the theatre to watch the film. Alan and his friends stayed in the bar area.

After the film finished seats were put on the theatre stage and Alan, Angela Pell (the lady who wrote the Snow Cake), Gina Carter (the producer), Ros Blackburn (who suffers from Autism and who helped Sigourney Weaver with her role) and another fella (sorry I can't remember who he was) sat down and took questions from the audience. Alan looked very smart, he was dressed in jeans, jacket and an open necked shirt - all in black. The audience asked various questions about the making of the film; autism; the fact that it only took 28 days to make the film, etc. One lady asked Alan whether he realised that he was so funny and witty and from his answer he genuinely didn't think he was! One thing I did notice was that the audience of approx 200 people was predominantly female - can't imagine why!

After the question and answer session Alan and the others left the stage and he slowly made his way out of the theatre in between signing autographs. I had some photographs that I'd take with me and but by the time I had dashed to the loo and found my pen he had gone. Not to be outdone I went outside and he was still there waiting for his car. I asked him to sign my DVD cover for Love Actually and asked him if I could have a quick photograph with him and he said in that sexy, velvety voice "yes, so long as it's a quick one". The photo now takes pride of place in my house, much to my husband's disgust! It was a wonderful night and if any of you get the chance to attend anything like this where Alan is present then I'd strongly recommend it.