blog

I must begin by saying I've been incredibly blessed this past semester to spend four months studying in London, England. through a program with my home university, I've been studying screenwriting and theatre criticism here while also experiencing life across the Atlantic. I came to London for the rain and old buildings, the museums and the arts. 

And Sarah Snook.

The fact that she'd be on West End in "The Picture of Dorian Gray" in the spring was a not-insignificant factor that led me towards applying to this program, and before I left when people asked what I was most excited to do once in the UK, I did mention seeing the show. The idea of being able to meet her never even crossed my mind. I just wanted to see her perform.

On February 27, 2024, I got that opportunity. A friend and I bought tickets to see Dorian Gray—premium seats, I will say, because I'd been saving for months and I wanted to actually see Sarah clear as day with my own two eyes—and we were bought ecstatic. They're less of a succession fan than I am but still, we were both extremely excited at the prospect of seeing her. we agreed to try to stage door after the show; neither of us had done it before so we had no expectations. The show itself was fantastic; there was a slight technical delay but once it got started it was a ride. It's damn near impossible to play every single role in a show but Sarah not only killed it, but made every character feel distinct and easy to distinguish. There's something about seeing someone perform right in front of you, knowing it's live and in the moment. After the show, my friend and I raced over to the stage door. It was a Tuesday night; there was no huge crowd. In about a half hour, Sarah came out. She was so soft-spoken and kind; she took time to talk to everyone and give them her attention. When she got to my friend and I, I was completely starstruck. Though, I was able to manage to commend her performance and say how huge a fan I am. I asked her to sign my program and I got a picture with her as well. But honestly the best part was her complimenting my press-on nails—and my Kendall Roy earrings. It really was the experience of a lifetime, and I hope that Dorian Gray will transfer to Broadway so she can share the show with American audiences!

My next experience meeting a pivotal member of Succession was close to pure coincidence. From a stray tweet I saw while scrolling my timeline, I learned that Jesse Armstrong would be giving a lecture at the British Library on April 17, 2024. I immediately bought tickets. Technically I ditched class to go, but this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I have no regrets. I arrived as soon as I could to the British Library that Thursday evening and I brought my season four script with me to read on the train there; I even was the first person to get a seat in hall. The lecture Jesse gave was on writing America from the outside, aka a foreigner's perspective on the us: how, why, and should you write pieces concerning a country not your own. Succession was not the main focus of the evening, but he did mention it often (I was particularly fond of the references to the election episode). As an American in an audience of (almost fully) Brits, it was an interesting experience to be an American listening to how we're perceived from the outside. After all, I've been currently having the opposite experience that Jesse had when he studied abroad in Massachusetts. During the lecture, he gave spare looks my way that I thought were funny, particularly while he talked about Americans—which made me feel like a caught spy, funny enough. And of course, he did give reference to the well-known fact that Greg is essentially himself inserted into the show. After the lecture finished, I awkwardly hung around; part of me had a silly hope I'd get to talk to him. The only thing that made me stick around was a woman my age, with a pen and her season four script in hand. At least I wasn't the only delusional person there. And it turned out I stayed for good reason. A little line formed and Jesse stayed to chat with people—I was literally shocked. Using the pen from the woman before, Jesse signed my script and we chatted for a little bit about being outsiders in different cultures; he caught on that I wasn't from the UK pretty quick. He told me about his time abroad as part of his American studies program at the University of Manchester and he asked me how I was finding London and British culture. I ended my time with a picture with him and the completely shocked notion that I just met the guy who created the Roys.

He's a lot taller in person, by the way. and just as funny as you'd expect.

My final experience meeting a Succession cast member was going to go see Brian Cox in "Long Day's Journey Into Night" on West End. On May 7, 2024, my friend Maria and I went to go see the show with the hopes of seeing him at the stage door. The show itself was really good and honestly a very fitting role for him—aging patriarch with a difficult relationship with his sons. Alongside him starred Patricia Clarkson (Sharp Objects), Louisa Harland (Derry Girls), and Daryl McCormack and Laurie Kynaston as the sons. Honestly, my mother was nagging me to see this show simply for the fact that "Orla" (Louisa) was going to be in it. She's a Derry Girls fanatic. After the show, Maria and I went directly to the stage door and waited around. We got to see everyone besides Laurie. Patricia Clarkson even stole my sharpie! Which was an honor, to be the Camille to her Adora Crellin, a la that gif of her snatching the pen from Amy Adams's hand. I got to chat briefly with Louisa and told her how big a fan my mother is, which did make my mom's day, so another small win from the evening. Finally Brian made it out and I was the first person he came over to see. Out of all my stage door experiences, he was the most curt and quick, but he was still so very kind. He insisted on signing the picture inside the program that only had him, not the one of him and Patricia—tiny bit of diva behavior and I did appreciate it—and then he happily obliged for a picture, we even accidentally color matched. 

I hope to one day update this page with more experiences meeting cast members—unrealistic fingers crossed I can see Jeremy and Juliana on Broadway—but for now, enjoy these pictures from meeting the three I've gotten the absolute privilege to see!

updated 5.8.2024