André Rieu's Live in Australia Premiere With Jann

Jann's Evening on The Red Carpet With The Paparazzi

It's really been a busy day, a quick flight up to Sydney and straight out to the Entertainment Quarter for the showing of "Live in Australia" on the big screen along with the Meet & Greet in the Premier Lounge, followed by the "Red Carpet" interviews downstairs.

The telecast started off with Richard Wilkins interviewing Pierre who had just finished phoning his Mother to wish her Happy Mother's Day, now I must add this interview was happening down at the very end of the red carpet - a fair distance from where I was at the tail end of the "gung-ho" paparazzi when an unexpected visitor appeared on the red carpet ... a tiny terrier dog who simply appeared from nowhere !!!

I was so UTTERLY amused with the little doggie and busy laughing I forgot to take a pic, he walked that red carpet as if it had been laid out there just for him - it was sensational, of course now I regret not taking that pic. Seriously there is no way in the world you could get any producer or director to replicate the incident. He made his entrance just behind Richard and Pierre, calmly trotted the length of the carpet, right through the front door of the cinema complex, into the lobby as if he were the star of the day - IT WAS JUST THE BEST.

Next it was Mirusia's turn on the red carpet with Richard - and how lucky does a girl get ... the interviews were now being held right in front of me - I had "poll position". Mirusia was dressed for her red carpet debut in a low cut silver floor length evening gown and looked stunning, only to be outdone by her twinkling eyes.
And now it was André's turn, he was obviously enjoying himself and the rapport between him and Richard was evident as they fed off each other with the questions and answers. A competition had been run asking people to send in questions they would like to ask André and a handful were selected for the evening. The ONE question I remember clearly is when was his grandchild due !!! Andre answered that Marc's baby is due around the 5th July and he will definitely be home for the occasion. And - yes André had phoned Marjorie for Mother's Day. The interviews were great and Richard again displayed the aplomb he is well known for.

Now for the Premier Lounge, the Meet & Greet and Champagne. I was allowed up there as long as I remained discreet, not a problem I promised. Discretion disappeared out the window, the Lounge was filled with the NSW Friendship Group and several other readers from the website, it was more like turning up at a surprise party. Everyone was in great spirits and looking forward to meeting André and Mirusia, they were not disappointed.

Everyone attending the evening received a CD "The Andre Experience" with 12 tracks that was the single CD "Masterpieces" put out overseas in 2007 accompanied with a 20 page souvenir program.
Another sprint up the stairs to say goodbye to everyone settled comfortably into their seats for the rest of the show and another round of hugs. Reports have come in saying "You could clearly see André's face relax & delight in the audience response 5 minutes into the movie when he asked for a standing ovation for Pierre's achievement ... there goes one very proud Father and who can blame him !!!
Mercy dash back to the airport and home to Melbourne, it's been a long weekend with a lot of WOW factor. My thanks to Universal and Hoyts for the experience. ~ Jann

All Photos© were taken by Jann