The very last 'open-to-the-public' show of CATS, at the New London Theatre, had already opened the theater doors and excited fans were streaming in. Cameras were clicking.....the Press was everywhere.....the atmosphere was charged. The happy, almost giddy looks on the faces of all those holding tickets, were in stark contrast to the anxious, worried and sad looks of the folks in the LONG line, winding around the corner and down the street. The line was for people hoping to find that IMPOSSIBLE ticket being turned in or unclaimed at the box office window.
Of course.....there were none.
Remarkably, there had been, earlier. My sweet friend in the box office window was not the usual 'ticket person.' She was a NLT/RUG big shot who had decided that it was HER role to be the decision-maker when it came to those precious few last remaining tickets. Tough job! It was near pandemonium within a 10 foot radius. Everybody had a story. 'Will call'.....exchanges.....lost tickets.....inadequate vouchers. Everybody was pressing forward....needy and desperate. Poor gal had to listen to it all! And she did so with a patient, caring smile. I'd nominate her for Sainthood.
Arriving in London without a ticket, I become very lucky....one way or another.....and had indescribable fun making sure a couple of dozen folks had seats for the closing shows, those last few days. A forum member here and I had schemed diligently for weeks to help secure tickets for each of us for that 'second-to-last' show of all shows.....knowing that 'The Holy Grail' of tickets were the 'By-Invitation-Only' tickets to the FINAL show....but THAT is another story.
The crowd surged forward when the doors opened, filing right past that long line....the line of a hundred wishful hopefuls.
Pretty soon, the crowded sidewalk had thinned out, leaving a few gawkers....a few of the Press.....a few friends and family members who'd be coming back in 2 hours and 40 minutes.....and leaving that long, unmoving line....with folks now silent and resigned.
In the theater lobby, which was also emptying, an elderly Oriental woman, with her extended family made up exclusively of young grandchildren.....was caught in an impossible situation. They all had tickets....yet for some strange, incomprehensible reason.....she did not. Something about an invalid ticket voucher she was holding limply in her hand.
What to do? All go in and see the show and leave Grandma behind?.....One of the young kids stays outside?......Turn all the tickets back in?
The show would be starting soon and she had to make a decision.
So did I.
As agreed during an earlier exchange.....I walked up to the Angel in the ticket booth and gave her a knowing look, which she recognized and returned.
That is all it took.
The last ticket issued by the NLT for "CATS, The Musical", was inconspicuously slid through the window opening, from her cupped hand to mine. I touched her hand with my other-a grateful 'thank you'. Her eyes answered.
I spread my arms to gather in the large Oriental brood and herded them towards the escalator and ticket-taker. Just as the Grandmother began to protest, a ticket was slipped into her hand. She looked down. Then she looked up. She understood without words. She said something to the kids and as the group rode up the escalator to the theater, she turned....and bowed ever so slightly.
With that....and about 6 minutes before the lights went down, I went outside and walked briskly towards the back of that STILL long line.
Oh, to be able to help them all.....I spotted the lonely looking 30-something woman standing by herself in the line. She clearly was not with the folks in front of her or behind her. "Come hither," I motioned EVER SO SLIGHTLY, with my index finger. No one else noticed. Thank goodness she came, leaving the line without hesitation. Thank goodness.
"Ever seen CATS?" I practically whispered.
She looked up with HUGE searching brown eyes and whispered back, with practically no sound, "No."
Perfect.
I motioned with my head to follow me. She did. We walked past the long line and around the corner. I opened the theater door, let her in and quickly walked through a now empty lobby to the ticket-taker at the bottom of the escalator. I produced a ticket which was taken, torn and handed back. I nudged her onto the escalator, all without words. She mouthed, "Thank you" as she climbed....up,up,up towards The Heavyside Layer.
I walked back to the Angel in the booth. She knew what I was up to, by the welling in my eyes. She had them too, but for a different reason. She had just told the folks at the front of the line, that there would be no more tickets....and the box office was now closed.
I nodded at her....and she at me.
Then I went upstairs myself.
CATS has brought me joy for more reasons than one.
