You may think, what the heck is she on about? How on earth could he know about this website and, more importantly, how could he wish the members a Merry Christmas?

Through ebony_wandson (Merri), that's how!

Last night Merri attended the third annual 'Stars Shine for Autism' Christmas carol concert that took place in the beautiful and atmospheric candlelit surroundings of St John's Smith Square.

The event was held in aid of The National Autistic Society. A host of celebrities were present to sing carols and give readings.

The stars present included Alan Rickman, who portrays Professor Snape in the Harry Potter films.

Merri was lucky enough to get a ticket to go and it is thanks to her that we have the following report and pictures from the event.

Here's what she had to say about the night:


I came, I saw, I cannot believe I called him Alan!!!!

We left for St Johns, Smiths Square at about 6pm, reaching Charing Cross station at about 6.30pm.

We had a twenty-minute walk from the station to the hall past some of the most beautiful places in London, including The Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abby and sadly the London eye, not beautiful and follows you for the length of the embankment, but it did look kind of cool all lit up.

We got to the hall at about 6.40 and it was all lit up and there was an enormous Christmas tree outside the doors, it was beautiful. We went down into the Crypt restaurant, where the VIP party would be afterwards, before heading up to our seats in the concert hall. We were in row J, on the end, so we had a great view.

It was a wonderfully extravagant room with an extremely ornate ceiling. The stage was set very simply, flanked by two stone columns and red theatre curtains there were six rows of seats for the featured choir, a conductor’s stand and a simple podium with microphone for the reading to place from. Again the time of year was prevalent, especially with a second huge and even more amazing Christmas tree, decorated with blue baubles and white lights.

The special guests were seated in the front row; Gaby Roslin was the first to arrive. The majority of celebrities were dressed in black with perhaps a splash of colour, except for Christine Cairns, who was wearing a gorgeous olive green gown.

The concert began promptly at 7.30pm with the appearance on the stage of the choir, but so far there was no sign what so ever of the most anticipated guest – Alan Rickman.

My heart literally caught in my throat as an official and severe looking woman came on to the stage and informed us that not only would we not be allowed to take pictured during the performance, but also she began to announce, that due to filming commitments, one of the special guests would not be attending. As she told us that it was Robert Powell, I breathed again – but where was Alan Rickman?

Gaby Roslin stood up and began her welcoming speech, half way through, who should walk with in mere inches of me? Only the man himself, who smiling apologetically quickly took his seat, where I will proudly state that I had the best view of the back of his head!

The concert progressed with some beautiful carols sung by both the choir and the audience, along with some equally amusing and uplifting readings by some amazing British Actors and Actresses.

At 8.50pm the moment had finally arrived. There were a couple of girls from Mugglenet sat near us and the atmosphere was electric. I nearly exploded with glee, as wearing a charcoal grey suit with matching tie and a light grey shirt, Alan Rickman took to the stage to read Noel Cowards "Do I believe?". He read beautifully, his fluidity and eloquence highlighting his subtle uses of the dry whit and light spreading of sarcasm and tone required to deliver that particular piece, all together accentuating the rich tones of his voice, it was at this point that I actually did explode! If the celebrities actually picked what they read, then I think this was definitely the perfect reading for Rickman.

He made little eye contact with the audience, but we all beamed at him regardless. He smiled graciously to everyone as he left the stage – receiving the biggest round of applause all evening – I clapped so hard, my hands fell off – I was grinning so much I my face actually hurt!

The choir rose to sing the final song and just after 9pm Gaby Roslin stepped on to the stage again to do the closing speech and the thankyou’s. The celebrities assembled on the stage behind her, Alan Rickman, clearly the tallest by a full head. Roslin worked her way through the gathered stars, finally getting to Alan Rickman who received the loudest, longest and most jovial applause. He looked a little embarrassed and smiled to the audience again. Gaby Roslin looked a little startled, it took a full minute or more for the applause for Rickman to subside!

There was a small crowd gathering at the front of the stage – and finally being brave enough – I ventured to risk a sneaky photo, however we quickly realised that the famous folk at the front of the stage were actually signing autographs I got a little closer and took some more pictures, finally deciding –even though I have never been so nervous and shaking in my life – to ask Lovely Mr Alan Rickman Sir for his autograph, however rather than addressing him as above I called him *whispers* Alan! I couldn’t believe it! I felt far too presumptuous, but other people called him by his first name – all pretence of politeness having gone out of the window when in the presence of one of the greatest actors of the last two decades! At least I didn’t call him Snapey-poo!

Candidly I approached him, and held out my program and pen for him, but before I could even utter one thing about his John Hancock, he smiled at me and gently removed my pen from my hand to sign something for the sweetest little boy *grumble* who also handed him a present – as I grinned probably very stupidly back at him – he handed me my pen and I finally managed to blurt out, in a high pitched barely a whisper voice those words he had probably heard a hundred times that night. Smiling kindly and saying quietly “Of course” he took my pen again and quickly signed my program. As he was doing so I quickly relayed all the messages I had been asked to give him – at least the ones that were appropriate to which he smiled again and replied “Thank you very much”. Alan quickly continued to sign as much as he could as quickly as possible as an angry blonde woman was quickly trying to shoo everyone out of the hall and rescue Alan from the encroaching crowd. I took one more quick picture of him before we headed downstairs for lots of mulled wine and mince pies.

EmmaRiddle

Attached Images

	AutographFromAlanRickman.bmp (49.4 KB, 151 views)
	WineAndMincePies.jpg (4.3 KB, 103 views)
	GabyRoslinIntroduction.bmp (131.9 KB, 56 views)
	TheTickets.bmp (132.5 KB, 45 views)
	BackOfHisHead.bmp (131.9 KB, 70 views)

EmmaRiddle

Attached Images

	AlanSigningProgrammes.jpg (4.2 KB, 69 views)
	AlanStoodUp.bmp (131.9 KB, 47 views)
	CloseUp.bmp (179.8 KB, 64 views)
	MerriAlanRickmanAndFriend.bmp (37.9 KB, 99 views)

padfootis#1

__________________
Playlist

hashim90

LilRavenclaw

__________________
Ashlie loves Megzy more than anyone else does <3333 MWAH
Cristy loves her fellow Lost fan *huggles*
Ni & Me. We're like PB&J

*Snivellus*

serenasnape

*Snivellus*

Dumbledore

DarkMagicGurl

__________________
True Love........how long does it really last?
Hermoine and Ron Shipper 4 ever!

Best Fanfics:
Until Death Do Us Apart &
Hermoine's Promise

samanthalee1983

__________________
The Heir Returns: Morgana Jones is not your typical teacher. She has a unique perspective on the Dark Arts and is a little too interested in a former Hogwarts Potionsmaster/Headmaster. Will James and Albus Potter survive her classes? Rated Sa16+

Snape is MY man!

*Snivellus*

Kazters

__________________

Icons made by galileo_icons

RedMartini

__________________

GanymedeCraft17

__________________

**Graphics made by Ameh**

Kazters

__________________

Icons made by galileo_icons

~*HermioneGranger*~

*Snivellus*

scarlet woman

__________________

the_blonde_one

__________________
I am Spam... Queen Spam.

*MARAUDER*

slythringurl04

__________________
~smile like you mean it~ the killers~

Hermionespell

ebony_wandson

__________________
"I must not tell lies"

cyna kowabara