PHOTOS: RAY BURMISTON
I am writing this from my dressing room at The Gielgud Theatre, where I am currently finishing my journey with The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. I am soaking. This morning’s brilliant sunshine means I am wearing sandals and a summer dress. I get off the bus in Piccadilly Circus and the heavens open. And this ain’t no light shower. This is one of those biblical epic flash flood type of storms which makes you wonder if the Thames might burst its banks. I have no umbrella.
I’m dashing through the streets, slipping out of my sandals and ducking into doorways to keep my hair dry (Afro hair + torrential rain = serious shrinkage), and as I reach my stage door there is one Doctor Who fan waiting for me – equally soaking, but smiling. I sign his sodden autograph book, and we take a selfie with rain-soaked faces and exchange soggy hugs and gratitudes. When I get up here, I can’t hold myself together. I burst into tears (as if I wasn’t wet enough!), overwhelmed with the love I have just received.