Captivated

Debut

Hello hello hello! To those of you who have read my books before, welcome back. To those of you who are new, hi, I'm Abby! I just wanted to take a moment to thank you all for coming to read this book! I don't know if it should entirely be taken seriously as it is entirely based off of some inside jokes, so read at your own risk😹 I hope you're as excited as I am for this book, though! Let me know your thoughts on this chapter in the comments xx
-ab

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June 10, 2024

Harper

Standing at the front of the stage, I beam as I revel in the audience's applause for the first time in my life to this magnitude. I can't believe it: I just made my West End debut. Heck, I just made my professional theatre debut. Getting to play one of my dream roles, Cosette in Les Miserables, feels so surreal still.

As the audience continues their standing ovation, we all take another company bow before everybody who has just made their debut with our cast change takes a step forward. That's most of the lead characters, as well as two ensemblists.

"We really did it," Ava, who is playing Eponine, whispers in my ear. I smile at her.

"Yeah, we really did."

All of the new cast members take quick individual bow before the curtain call comes to an end, thus concluding our first show. Walking offstage, the colors of the French flag are projected down upon us. I take one final look out at the audience, blowing a kiss of my gratitude towards them and taking a mental picture. I want to capture and remember this moment for the rest of my life.

As soon as we are back in the hallway, making our way to our dressing room, Ava throws her arms around me in a hug. "You killed it tonight, Harper."

"Thanks. So did you," I reply, squeezing her back. In the dressing room, we change ourselves quickly before it is time for the little party that we are having at a nearby pub. "Ava..." I say as I slipping into my dress, "that was insane. Like, it still hasn't sunk in yet. I just made my debut on the West End... as Cosette? Like... what? I'm still expecting to wake up and find out this is all a dream."

"Nope, you're not dreaming," she laughs. "I felt that way when I made my debut with the transfer of Dear Evan Hansen."

"Oh, that's right... I always forget that you did that," I laugh. "Well, I'm new to this game, short of my school and university productions..."

"Yeah, have your fun now," Ava laughs. "I don't want to stomp away your excitement. Your West End debut is a big deal! You had better go party and have the time of your life tonight."

"Well... I would, but we have to have another show tomorrow, so I suppose we shouldn't get too wild," I tease.

"I'd suppose you're right... well, are you ready?"

"Yep," I reply, slinging my backpack over my shoulder and smoothing out my dress one final time. There isn't a crowd at the stage door, only two people who I have to take pictures with, so I'm able to turn the corner after only a short amount of time. Ava and I make our way to the party, where we find some of the cast already settled. Some others trickle in after us.

We all spend an hour or so drinking a beer (or a few beers, for some people in the cast) before we end up parting so that we can all be well rested for tomorrow's show. It is nice that I've gotten to know and become close with so many members of my cast. I know that we are going to be running in the same circles for the rest of our lives, since we are all in the same profession. I value the opportunity to get to know these people, who I'll be running into for the rest of my life.

After the party finally disbands, I have to take an Uber back to my apartment, since the Tube has stopped running for the night. I don't like to take Ubers, as it can get rather expensive compared to the subway, and they worry me a bit, but I understand that tonight is a special night, so I have to do it. Meeting my driver, I tentatively step into the car and sit back for what will hopefully be a pleasant night home.

Thankfully, I don't run into any problems, so handing over fifteen pounds, I climb out of the car and head into my apartment, where I am suddenly reminded of just how tired I am. It has been a long day. It has been a big day. It has been a stressful day. In spite of all of that, it just might have been the best day of my life.

Not only did I make my debut on the West End, I did it in Les Mis, and I get to go and do it all again tomorrow. And the day after that. And every day for the next year.

That's crazy. Absolutely insane.

As I get myself ready for bed, I still struggle to wrap my brain around the events of the night. I don't know if it'll really sink in until after I end my run. Until then, I decide that I'm just going to relish every moment of it. I know that I'm not guaranteed another role, ever. This could be my first and last West End show, and I can't be oblivious of that.

As I drift off to sleep, I find myself replaying the moments of the night in my head... when I first stepped onstage in the ensemble for 'Lovely Ladies,' when I first stepped onstage as Cosette, when Ava and I shared a hug in our dressing room before places were called... every single moment of it was completely magical.

I know that I'm never going to forget tonight. I know that whenever I'm upset, or having a bad day, I'll be able to think of the events of the past few hours and feel just a little bit better. I've worked nearly my entire life towards making my debut on a professional stage, and it has finally happened. All of the blood, sweat, and tears that I've put into practicing during my every waking moment, and I've achieved this goal. Not everybody gets to say that, but I do... and seriously, how amazing is that?