Theatreland

At the Theatre Royal Haymarket, Waiting for Godot opens in just three days, and already it has the highest presales in West End history. Artistic director Sean Mathias is eager for his first play at the Haymarket to be a smashing success. Backstage, carpenters Tony and James pull down a damaged dressing-room ceiling.

The first preview performance went brilliantly, but the audience wasn't as responsive as the actors hoped they would be. Now it's the official first night, and the stakes are high. The cast will face the critics and glitterati, including Paul McCartney. New usherette Rozzie can barely contain her excitement.

After glowing reviews, the play is off and running, and the Haymarket settles into the daily routine of a long production. Behind the scenes, a father-and-daughter plumbing team works on the theatre's ancient toilets. Carpenters fix damaged walls and broken chairs. At curtain time, Rozzie panics when she learns she'll be serving tea to Dame Maggie Smith.

The Haymarket is said to be haunted by the ghost of a former theatre manager, and staff spend a night in the darkened house hoping for a sighting. Meanwhile, Patrick Stewart is shaken by a ghostly surprise on stage. Sean Mathias splits his time between Godot and Breakfast at Tiffany's, and Tony and James check on a water tank hidden in the ceiling while the play goes on below.

The Haymarket is enjoying a record-breaking run with Godot. But after more than 100 performances, the actors' voices are severely strained. One night, Patrick Stewart's throat lozenges aren't enough, and a patient understudy finally gets his big chance. At the Haymarket's rehearsal studio, young stars Anna Friel and Joseph Cross arrive for their first read-through of Breakfast at Tiffany's.

It's the final night of Waiting for Godot. Fans line up in the predawn hours, hoping for tickets. Following four months of full houses and a dark, demanding play, everyone is emotional. Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart speak openly about what the experience has meant to them. After a post-performance gathering for cake and champagne, the Haymarket closes for a month.

Compared to Godot, Breakfast at Tiffany's is another world, with an elaborate set, many costume changes, and a cast that includes a cat (with an understudy). To celebrate, Sean Mathias shaves his head, buys a new suit, and ponders whether Anna Friel (as Holly Golightly) should be blonde or brunette.

With less than two weeks until the world premiere of Breakfast at Tiffany's, the cast and crew work around the clock. Final adjustments are made to the set and lighting, and the stars move into their dressing rooms. The last remaining actor arrives - Jasper the cat - and learns his part perfectly. It's the final dress rehearsal, then the night of the first preview. Will it be another success?