Da Vinci Code Report!
Milady writes: Filming has been taking place in Lincoln, England all this week of scenes from The Da Vinci Code, with Lincoln Cathedral being used as a stand-in for Westminster Abbey. Our local evening newspaper, The Lincolnshire Echo, has mentioned amongst the articles it has run on the subject that:
The cast are staying at The White Hart Hotel, a stones throw away from the minster, and Sir Ian McKellen ...paused for a few moments to talk with movie fans and sign a few autographs. The Lord of the Rings star said that it was the first time he has ever been to Lincoln and was hoping he would have a few moments spare during filming to take a look around. "I've never been to Lincoln before and very nice it is too," he said. "I only arrived last night (Monday) so I've not yet had the chance to look around, but I am here all week."
Fans have only seen glimpses of their hero (Tom Hanks) as he steps from his blacked-out Range Rover into the hotel. Audrey Tautou, star of the hit film Amelie, has been even more elusive, leaving the Cathedral with a blanket over her head to avoid the waiting paparazzi. But the film's director Ron Howard and actor Sir Ian McKellan (sic) have walked openly in Lincoln - strolling to the film set, stopping to chat with fans.
So, as Wednesday dawned bright and fair, a good day for walking to the Cathedral we, myself and the Aged P, decided to go along and hope to see Sir Ian. Imagine our excitement upon approaching The White Hart Hotel and noticing quite a large crowd gathered outside, eek, something must be happening... Wormed our way through the throng, which made way very politely for an old lady pushing a wheelchair, until we were stationed directly in front of the main entrance. There was quite a bit of activity going on inside, hotel staff walking backwards and forwards, the odd amused hotel guest making a break for it and a couple of burly chaps flaunting CREW badges carrying things to a couple of large, dark coloured people carriers parked alongside the hotel. Every time they came out the expectant crowd held its breath, only to let it out again in a collective sigh when no actors made an appearance. One guest even stopped to tell those within hearing distance that we were wasting our time, all the stars had long since gone to the Cathedral, but, ha, we weren't having none of it. There wouldn't be this large crowd just standing around like lemons for the sake of it. Would there?
After an hour of this one bold lady broke from the crowd and - went INSIDE the Hotel. We held our breath. (Again) (We were getting good at that) She came out a couple of minutes later with a long face. "It is true, everyone has already left and are within the Cathedral." The disappointment was huge, the whole of the minster was out of bounds so we would not get to see our favourite actors until returning much later once filming had ceased for the day. It was amazing how the crowd dispersed within a short space of time, many going off into the Minster Yard to see if, by chance, there was anything interesting there, but apart from a very eloquent, Scottish minister preaching hellfire and brimstone regarding our idolatry and the heresy of the Da Vinci Code book, we drew a blank.
The experience was enjoyable, non-event that it was, and on the way back home I did leave a box of toffees at the White Hart's reception desk for Sir Ian, which I do hope they passed on to him.
The cast are staying at The White Hart Hotel, a stones throw away from the minster, and Sir Ian McKellen ...paused for a few moments to talk with movie fans and sign a few autographs. The Lord of the Rings star said that it was the first time he has ever been to Lincoln and was hoping he would have a few moments spare during filming to take a look around. "I've never been to Lincoln before and very nice it is too," he said. "I only arrived last night (Monday) so I've not yet had the chance to look around, but I am here all week."
Fans have only seen glimpses of their hero (Tom Hanks) as he steps from his blacked-out Range Rover into the hotel. Audrey Tautou, star of the hit film Amelie, has been even more elusive, leaving the Cathedral with a blanket over her head to avoid the waiting paparazzi. But the film's director Ron Howard and actor Sir Ian McKellan (sic) have walked openly in Lincoln - strolling to the film set, stopping to chat with fans.
So, as Wednesday dawned bright and fair, a good day for walking to the Cathedral we, myself and the Aged P, decided to go along and hope to see Sir Ian. Imagine our excitement upon approaching The White Hart Hotel and noticing quite a large crowd gathered outside, eek, something must be happening... Wormed our way through the throng, which made way very politely for an old lady pushing a wheelchair, until we were stationed directly in front of the main entrance. There was quite a bit of activity going on inside, hotel staff walking backwards and forwards, the odd amused hotel guest making a break for it and a couple of burly chaps flaunting CREW badges carrying things to a couple of large, dark coloured people carriers parked alongside the hotel. Every time they came out the expectant crowd held its breath, only to let it out again in a collective sigh when no actors made an appearance. One guest even stopped to tell those within hearing distance that we were wasting our time, all the stars had long since gone to the Cathedral, but, ha, we weren't having none of it. There wouldn't be this large crowd just standing around like lemons for the sake of it. Would there?
After an hour of this one bold lady broke from the crowd and - went INSIDE the Hotel. We held our breath. (Again) (We were getting good at that) She came out a couple of minutes later with a long face. "It is true, everyone has already left and are within the Cathedral." The disappointment was huge, the whole of the minster was out of bounds so we would not get to see our favourite actors until returning much later once filming had ceased for the day. It was amazing how the crowd dispersed within a short space of time, many going off into the Minster Yard to see if, by chance, there was anything interesting there, but apart from a very eloquent, Scottish minister preaching hellfire and brimstone regarding our idolatry and the heresy of the Da Vinci Code book, we drew a blank.
The experience was enjoyable, non-event that it was, and on the way back home I did leave a box of toffees at the White Hart's reception desk for Sir Ian, which I do hope they passed on to him.
posted by rorschach at 2:07 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home