Neighbours 40th Anniversary My experience
I was one of the lucky ones who received a meet and greet ticket. That for me alone was well worth the price. I went for the London palladium since this was the closest venue to me. I knew it was busy and I wasn’t surprised that the meet and greets went like Goldust (and this was before we knew who would be appearing!!! I decided to make a bit of a day of it in London (turns out that was a very good idea) and booked a hotel at the same Travelodge I had stayed for the celebration tour (Travelodge Covent garden BTW).I also got tickets for the f1 exhibition on the same day to do in the morning anticipating that the meet and greet would be in the afternoon.
When I got the email through from the London Palladium giving me the afternoon visit I was relieved but I did feel bad for the fans who got the morning slot as several had to change plans. Apparently, they had oversold the meet and greets and had to do several groups at a time!! (If I didn’t have tickets for the exhibition, I would have offered to swap but it was a little late in the day sadly).
Went I arrived to argyle street at around 2pm (meet and greet started at 2.30), I thought I would be one of the first. HA. There was already a huge queue. (a few people asked others in front of me what they were queuing for and they were told neighbours so I knew I was in the correct queue). I had a good conversation behind me with several fellow fans who I didn’t catch the names of but they loved neighbours as much as I did (in case anyone is reading it I was the one who happened to know that dates of some big events)
We got in just after 2.30pm and I got to meet the one and only Joe Julians!! One of the Creators of this tour and the celebration tour who was great to meet and had a good conversation with about the tour and how busy it was.
Finally got into the room and it was so weird being within touching distance of the stars. for Context it was Lucinda Cowen (Mel) Majella Davis (Krista) Tim Kano (Leo) and Rebekah Elmaloglou (Terese) in one group and Dan Paris (drew) and Kym Valentine (Libby) in another group.
After it felt like an age it was finally my turn and I was greeted like Lucinda like an old friend- She was so friendly towards me and when I mentioned that I loved her character since her first appearance in 1987 she was surprised as she didn’t think I was old enough (I had to explain that it was from the defining moments dvd released in 2003). I was then introduced to Majella and Tim then I have to admit I fan gushed when I met Rebekah because she was such an iconic element of Aussie soap operas (Rebekah had been in home and away as Sophie where he character got pregnant by Guy Pearce) She had Lucinda had a jokingly play fight about who was better which was brilliant then we had the photos which was a dream as well.
Then it was off to get the merchandise (we got a free signed poster and a Ramsey street sign) At the celebration tour I was annoyed with myself for not getting everything. Not this time. I was determined to get everything (a programme, fridge magnet, a t-shirt and a tote bag)
Then it was off to the hotel for dinner (very disappointing burger to be honest) and back to the Palladium for the main show and once again the queue was huge again but I think the issue was that the queue for the stalls and the grand circle were in one queue and the royal circle were in another queue on the other side of the Palladium. Anyway, I got in and got into my seat. D13. 4th from the front. There was a good selection of music playing (from neighbours stars past and present – yes Alan fletcher was playing- a great touch there from the team)
Then the show got started and we met them one by one- Hosted By the incredible Leah Boleto- It was great to see such a passionate neighbours fan who knows so much about the show present this brilliant event. The first half seemed to go so quickly (and it was great to see the fans react when the other show was mentioned about when introducing Rebekah)
I have to admit my highlights of the show were the wonderful tribute to Janet Andrewartha and the brilliant news about how Ian Smith was getting on, When Kym took Dan aside (to let him know about Dan Fitzgerald) Kym’s laugh and of course the story of Mel (which for me the highlight was Rebekah bring a carboard Cutout of Toadie and giving it the middle finger. Very well Deserved.)
Sadly it was over far too soon but it still lives long in the memory and it was great to meet so many passionate fans (the show has a huge UK audience still) Like them I am still a little numb about the show being culled from Amazon but like others I am determined to save the show. It deserves to stay on the air.
But if the worst does happened there is still an appetite for events like as the celebration and the 40th anniversary tours that so many fans will be up for!!
