March 11, 2002
By Bobbi Atherton

I remember how excited I was a year ago this month!

I'd been waiting for March for nine months. March 7 to be exact -- the day I was flying to England and traveling on to Sheffield to see Joseph Fiennes in Marlowe's Edward II. Even in this age of jet planes it took nearly 16 hours of travel.

My first sight of Joe in Sheffield was on a poster - huge posters of him were all over town, even near the train station. Our bed and breakfast proprieter asked why we were in Sheffield. He was most surprised when we told him. He was much more familiar with people coming to see sports than theatre. I got the feeling that Sheffield wasn't noted for culture.

Arriving at the theatre on the 8th I was amazed by the Crucible. I knew it was "theatre in the round" but actually it was unlike any theatre I'd been in. We were in the second row on the end -- with no one in front of us. I was amazed at how close we were to the action. When the lights went down it really became another world. I'd wondered if I would understand Marlowe's English. I'd prepared by reading the play and discussing it with friends but I still doubted I would understand it on stage. Not at first. How wrong I was. It came alive and I was aware of everything.

I knew when Joe was going to be on stage having memorized his first line and when he'd speak it. I'd speculated on how he'd play his role, the scenes with Gaveston. Would they kiss?? Within twenty minutes I was totally blown away! The entire relationship with Gaveston came alive immediately. It was so "in your face" I found myself blushing. I soon realized the entire cast had such on-stage energy. I was overwhelmed by their raw physical presence. As the play progressed I was immersed in the drama. Some scenes were funny, others were hard to watch. I found the time flew away and too soon it was over.

Later in the theatre bar I was talking with my California friend, Liz. Some of the actors had joined the crowd and I was watching them talk with friends and each other. People were approaching and I loved the atmosphere. I'd never experienced anything like this. We'd bought a drink and found a table. Beate joined us and asked if I'd seen Joe yet. She told me he was standing down at the other end of the bar. I was again amazed. "You mean he's just at the bar?" "Yes," she said "and he's so nice." So I hurridly grabbed my programme and went to him. How do you approach someone you've admired for such a long time? Someone you've idealized? I went with a programme and no pen. I asked for an autograph and he agreed but stated he had no pen either. I quickly ran back to my friend who provided one and again approached Joe. He'd patiently waited for me, my programme in his hand, and finally signed it "Best Wishes."

"You're not from around here are you?" he questioned. "On no, I traveled from California." "To see me?" he asked. "Yes, and I'll be back, at least four more times." He smiled and thanked me. HE thanked me! I know I rejoined my friends but I think I was in some other place -- "he thanked me!"

Was that the stuff of which dreams are made? I suppose so. It said so much to me anyway. Here was a charming and approachable man who seemed genuinely surprised that fans would come from far away to see him. Not a superstar, no egomanical tendencies. Just one of the cast. But, was he really surprised people would travel so far to see him? Was he just one of the lads? I think so. I saw him four times and he always graciously answered questions and signed autographs. His eyes were shy and he was soft spoken but he brought a presence into the room. You knew when he was there. I remember the baseball cap and the trainers. He kept things low-key, bought his own drinks and talked to fans and friends. Approachable.

Who did I meet? Joseph Fiennes, the actor, or Joe Fiennes, the man? I know I "met" the public person. Do I know him and what he'd do in any given situation? No. But I do know what he did in that situation: he delivered an incredible performance every time I saw him and he was charming and gracious to one and all. He was a delight to behold -- onstage and off. Joe was much more than I expected and watching Joe onstage is one of the sweetest memories I have. I hope all Joe fans will someday have the experience of seeing him perform in person. There's nothing like it.

What else do I remember of last March? Friends. Liz, Lori and her dad, Marshall who made it all so wonderful. Thana, Marcella, Han, Yasmin and Tim. Meeting people I had talked with for over a year by internet. Sharing drinks and seeing York and Liverpool and Stratford on Avon. Watching the Herbal Bed with Beate and Lori. Spending time in London with friends and my sweetie. My friend Liz who despite not being a fan chose to watch every performance. Evelyn's CD presents. Watching Enemy at the Gates in London. The ten days flew past. Home again I found myself watching the clock and reliving the play until it finally ended at the end of March.

I'd like to remember this anniversary by thanking Joseph Fiennes for bringing us all to England and giving us the performance and memories of a lifetime.