Joanna Lumley's Spectacular LA BETE Entrance

I was just thinking about Joanna Lumley's incredible entrance in LA BETE. It was a really exciting star entrance and was a real thrill in the play. A great way to present that character.

It just got me thinking about what other shows or characters (current or past) have exciting stage entrances. Post your thoughts.

I know the original direction for HELLO DOLLY has a great entrance/reveal for Dolly that presented Carol Channing to the audience to great effect. What are others you can think of?

Desireé's entrance in The Glamorous Life: Especially Bernie's. Legit, 3 minutes of standing ovation.

Angela Lansbury - "It's Today" from MAME. Appeared at the top of a stairs with a bugle. Blew it and after saying her first line then slid down the banister.

Alexis Smith - In "Platinum" made her entrance dancing and singing atop a piano. White piano white dress white furs

And the classic best....any Rose coming up the aisle for her GYPSY entrance.

Velma's entrance in the Chicago revival.

Lots of fun can be had with Sweeney Todd too.

Yes to Mama Rose in Gypsy, Velma is Chicago, and Mame!

Recently, Simon Russell Beale in London Assurance. He actually got entrance applause, which is pretty rare for anyone in London and almost unheard of at places like the National. It was very simple, a pair of doors swung open and he slowly walked on accompanied by stately music, but it was brilliant. I think it was the costume/wig that did it:



Another one that got a good round of applause recently was Roger Allam (as Falstaff) in Henry IV Part 2 at the Globe. No applause for Mark Rylance in Jerusalem, but his entrance was very funny and set up the character perfectly (even better was Tom Brooke's in the same play, but you could hardly call him a star, as great an actor as he is).

Updated On: 9/30/10 at 10:05 AM

lvpblues - Eartha cracked me up in TIMBUKTU!

"Stirring connnnnnnnnnnstantly, with a loooooonnnnnnnngggggg wooden spoonnnnnnnnnnn"