"Phase III", The Dark Side of Daedalus Con, Bochum-Werne, Germany. 5th - 7th November 2010.

This year, I attended as the sole Star Wars guest, but in the company of my dear friend, Wendy Lowder - another 'veteran' of the British Film Industry. Wendy and I have been friends for over 30 years and share many experiences filming, starting with appearing together in the film 'Breaking Glass', starring Hazel O'Connor - a Punk extravaganza - and 'Quatermas and the Planet People' - a film for TV, in which we played rather peculiar hippy-types - both filmed in 1980 in the UK.



Myself and Wendy at a previous convention in Bournemouth, UK

Wendy in the film 'The Missionary', 1982.

Wendy in the Roald Dahl film, The Witches, with Anjelika Huston and Mai Zetterling.

Wendy Lowder.

Wendy has appeared in countless films, including; Willow, Shadowlands, Superman 1 and 2, Ragtime, The Mirror Cracked, Octopussy, Victor Victoria and Krull, as well as appearing on TV and in iconic music videos. Here she is in Kool and The Gang's video for 'Fresh'. Wendy is the blond ugly sister!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJ1XwGDcA4&feature=related

The Convention.

Wendy and I flew out together on Thursday the 4th November on a minute twin-prop plane and were met in Düsseldorf Airport by my friends Markus Tschentschel and Rolf Prippenow. We were driven into Bochum through a gridlocked motorway system (for no apparent reason, it was the same throughout Germany that day) and brought to our hotel - the same as last year - the Hotel Specht.....



Das Hotel Specht - official con hotel.

We took the time to wander around the area a little and do a little window shopping and we both bought in a few 'necessary' bits and pieces. Later that evening, Markus and Rolf returned to take us out to a lovely Greek restaurant in a delightful cobbled courtyard and, I must say, the food was delicious and generous! Our thanks to you both for the wonderful hospitality!!! We had a very convivial evening chatting, giving Wendy a chance to get to know our hosts a little better. She is of the same opinion as me; they are very kind, considerate and good people - the sort it is a pleasure to spend time with! And so to the hotel and bed.

Next morning - Friday - we had a very filling and varied continental breakfast before our first day at the convention. Wendy was impressed with this small, family-owned hotel and it's charming staff, all of whom speak excellent English. We had a while to kill and so went back to a few of the shops we had surveyed the day before, giving Wendy a chance to buy a couple of very nice tops and a gilet. A girl can never have too many clothes I am told!!! We ate lunch in the hotel from a very alluring menu and both had fabulous meals, cooked to perfection!

On arrival at the convention venue, we were met by many friends from last year, proving that intimate and family orientated shows like this can attract and hold a devoted following, happy to return year in, year out, to experience the friendly and comradely atmosphere, whilst offering a hearty welcome to new visitors.




Lovely Bianka Riepegerste and her two adorable children, grown so much since last year!

 Wendy was welcomed literally with open arms and she was put at ease immediately. Amongst fellow performers, we met Der Klingolaus, the Klingons' answer to Santa Claus (www.klingolaus.de), Freddy Bee, the convention MC and comedian (www.freddybee.de), a strong turnout by the 501st German Garrison (http://www.501st.de), led by Garrison Commander Markus Rau, and a host of costumed role-players, LARP and gamers from last year, as well as new groups! All in all, an impressive turnout!

Wendy and I were offered a table with the German Garrison, for which, once again, I thank Markus Rau, and we duly set out our stall. It took minutes only before we were in conversation with everyone passing by, as we found ourselves in the main entrance lobby with all attendees passing us to enter the convention!



Wendy and I with Ettore Holle, a great friend from Bussum in Holland.



The opening ceremony at 7 p.m.was fun, with lots of cheering and shouting as the assorted line-up of guests and groups attending were announced.


A few of the audience at the opening ceremony.

The evening soon turned into a talking shop as all caught up on news of each other's year and shows attended.since the last Daedalus Con in 2009, and Der Klingolaus brought the scheduled proceedings to an end with his usual loud and hysterical characterisation.

Der Klingolaus!

The evening continued through to the early hours with an informal party fuelled by schnapps-style exotic mead-based shots - from plain mead to cherry liqueur mead and even chili mead! As in previous years, the catering was, as ever, beautifully and tirelessly presented by the lovely Inge Meierkord, Marcel Meierkord and Inge's friend, Torsten. An army marches on it's stomach and Inge knows how to please!!!

Day two of the convention started on Saturday at 10 a.m. Attendances were up on last year and the talks and events planned went on in good order. At 12 noon I did a talk and Q &A, after being taken in to the auditorium by the 501st and then guarded on stage! It looked like an Imperial coup was taking place! :o)

501st Escort for my Q & A, with Markus Rau front left.

At 1 p.m. Wendy was the host of a funny and vigorous coffee meeting in one of the side rooms, attended by a good variety of people, eager to hear from Wendy of her experiences in film and especially of her work on Octopussy and The Living Daylights. Questions veered off onto all sorts of tangents. Wendy took it all in her stride and we had a very entertaining time with lots of laughter! 



Getting settled for Wendy's coffee meeting.

As the afternoon progressed, fan films, talks, computer gaming discussions took place in adjacent rooms, as well as the first of two performances by a band called Astray Path - a Goth/rock band with fantasy themed music - interesting!

The Klingolaus had everyone in stitches again, as he invited audience members onto stage, one by one, to perform a poem or song or receive a forfeit. Wendy, being a good sport. went up to recite a short poem, but received the Klingolaus's forfeit anyway! LOL



Wendy recites poetry on the Klingolaus's lap!!!



A spanking with the Klingolaus's sword is Wendy's reward - but she didn't complain.
In fact, I think she rather liked it! :o)

Later still, a competition to ascertain which costumes made by their wearers were judged to be the best took place, with myself, the Klingolaus and a TV writer/designer I had met the previous year called Stevie, as judges. The kids were particularly cute, of course and so each entrant had a first prize - how can you not give first prize to every kid? The best adult costume was won by the winner of last year's competition, but this year in a fantastic fantasy costume with metal armour, leather and real chain mail.

A winner in the junior section.



A three year old winner!



Rohan the Warrior, winner in the adult section.



The assembled winners in all categories.



At the end of the competition and with everyone who entered having received a prize of some description (for whatever categories we could invent), all competitors climbed onto the stage for a group shot....

There had already been assorted performances on the stage by the varied role-play and costume clubs present and the evening progressed with the second performance by Astray Path.

Astray Path

At 10 p.m. the party moved downstairs again and into the club atmosphere of the dance floor in the basement of the venue. Mead and liqueur shots were the order of the day and the party progressed into the wee small hours (so I am told!).

A bar full of mystery drinks!

Ettore Holle, the Dutch friend mentioned earlier, decided to stay over and had booked a room through the conference organisers at our hotel. Unfortunately, by the time the three of us got back there, the owners had retired and so Wendy, Ettore and myself ended up all sharing a room! As Wendy and I both wrote on photographs dedicated to Ettore the next day, it was a pleasure sleeping with him!!! (He slept on the floor by the way!!! LOLOL).

Sunday dawned and we three showered and breakfasted before being collected again for the final day. We arrived as Lars Adler and Stephan Wonczak were demonstrating sword fighting with Japanese swords and a bicycle wheel!?!

Stephan and Lars demonstrate ... something! LOL. Sorry guys - missed the lecture!

More fan films and exhibitions were on show this morning too, with new exhibitors replacing those who had left the night before. I had agreed the previous day to appear in a fan film as a Police Chief in LA, and quickly perused dialogue given me in German, requiring translation to English and then a mixed accent of a Bronx cop living in LA! A challenge at the last minute, but I enjoy challenges! It then transpired that having done these three pages, I would be needed again for a location shoot in Dresden, possibly some time soon! So, Germany, here I come again!!! :o)

Rene Altman, myself and Mario Schmaeske dressed for the LAPD fan film.

The day passed quickly and very soon it was time for the closing ceremony, conducted in his inimitable fashion by Freddy Bee...

Freddy wins through!

As each and every participant and club was acknowledged, the organisers applauded their contribution along with the rest of us! This has been a memorable weekend in the presence of good and generous friends and I look forward to this event continuing to grow in coming years.

 



Wendy and me with the 501st German Garrison.



Markus Tschentschel and Thomas Riepegerste - principal organisers - say farewell and thanks to the convention.

Wendy and I left straight from the venue with Markus and Rolf and headed for the airport again, there to have a meal together before saying our farewells. All went well - we had the same twin-prop aircraft for the return flight and arrived in London Gatwick Airport about a quarter of an hour late. This quarter of an hour lost was unfortunate, as, by the time we had collected my car from the long-term car park and set out for Southampton to rendezvous with the ferry to the Isle of Wight, where Wendy lives, we were still 15 minutes late and Wendy missed the boat! But Wendy is made of sterner stuff and she slept in the ferry terminal, before catching the first boat across - arriving home at 6.15 a.m! I arrived back in London at 3 a.m.

So, it only remains to thank everyone involved for making this convention and visit so memorable and I look forward to seeing everyone again soon!



HOW I CAME TO SIGN AUTOGRAPHS AND OTHER STRANGE HAPPENINGS

It was Derek Lyons, who had contacted me out of the blue, thanks to Facebook putting us back in touch after some 30 years, with the surprising revelation that I was sought after in the world of Star Wars conventions and autograph collectors.! He explained very patiently that my brief role in Return of the Jedi made me a bit of a rarity in 2009, in as much as the character had been listed on Wookiepedia as ‘Unidentified Imperial Officer - Executor’ and my true identity had not been established - a speaking part, however minor, who had never signed publicly - ever!!!

Derek had, in fact, previously put me in touch with a French collector and Convention organiser by the name of Aurelien Lukowski in Paris, who came over to London to meet me; get me to sign a few items and photographs he had prepared of me and then told me he had a fellow autograph collector and pre-order service provider in Belgium by the name of Mark Dermul of www.bountyhunter.be, who wanted to arrange a private signing session for me. It was all rather strange to me, but I said fine! In no time flat Mark was in touch and told me to expect two packages by special delivery - posters and books in one and photographs and action figure in the next. Pens would be provided and stickers on each item would inform me of colour pen to use, where to sign and what, if any, dedication to add. In the event, everything arrived with a further exhortation to make sure I was photographed signing items! Boy, what a palaver, I thought! But I need have had no worries - it all went off as planned!

My first signing through Mark Dermul's site, www.bountyhunter.be

Subsequently, it became obvious that if I were to continue and be active in signing for fans, I needed to emerge further and attend conventions as collectors came to know my name. Derek was a font of knowledge and very soon found the perfect venue for me to make my debut at - a small fan-organised convention in Bochum-Werne called Daedalus Con. Derek made the arrangements and before long we were nearly ready to go. I lacked one major asset, which is a major requirement of such gatherings - photos!!! I need not have worried - Derek had it firmly in hand and organised for me the procurement and payment for them also! And that is where we will go next!

DAEDALUS CON - MY FIRST FORAY INTO THE WORLD OF CONVENTIONS.

After having completed the private signing session for Mark Dermul, Derek Lyons informed me that he had received an invitation from a convention he had attended the previous year, to attend again and to suggest further guest(s) - me!

As I already mentioned, Derek had worked his magic with images of me and Mark Dermul had kindly agreed to me using the images he had previously supplied, too. Suddenly, I had a stock of photographs and I was ready for my first lesson from Derek in how to deal with the public!

We laughed our way through one heading after another until it was time to travel to Germany and meet our hosts at Dortmund airport, Markus Tchenschel and Ralph Pripanow. Thomas Riepergerste and his lovely wife Bianka would meet us at the venue. Immediately it became obvious they were as eager to please me as I them and so we settled down and drove into the suburb where our convention was to take place. The area seemed quite charming and our hotel proved to be perfect - a family-run affair with super-friendly owner and staff who remembered Derek, and a brilliant menu, cooked to order by the owner/chef!

The following morning, Ralph came to pick us up and drive us to the venue - a modern Community Hall, built as a rotunda. The very first thing I saw was an old Trabant outside, an old East German car of ingenious design - the Communist version of the 'Peoples' Car' - and an answer to the West German and much more famous 'Peoples' Car' - the Volkwagen! My first encounter with a Trabbie was in East Berlin, whilst filming 'Shining Through' with Michael Douglas, Melanie Griffiths and Liam Neeson in the late 90's and being taken to a secret location by an East German General, willing to sell me army boots at 50 pence a pair from a shed on an allotment, with windows covered by newspapers!!! That trip was eventful enough in itself, nevermind the smell of burning oil, petrol and Russian cigarettes! LOL.

Anyway, there it stood before us and before I left I was determined to get a picture of it.

Me beside the plastic 'Peoples'Car', the Trabant.

In the course of getting to meet everyone present, Derek introduced me to a truly awsome character by the name of Frank Klepke - Conan incarnate! :o) Frank attends conventions all over Europe and his immense good humour and booming voice make a lasting impression on all who meet him! :o) He's a super guy and his postings on Facebook inevitably always make me smile... :o)

Frank the Barbarian and Derek Lyons!

I had curiously been asked to attend the convention in my Henry VIII costume, which I had used in staging shows for the British Army, corporate shindigs and lookalike bookings. Not naturally being a shrinking violet, I agreed, so be prepared for some alarming costume combinations in the following shots! HAHAHA!

Henry VIII (me), Derek, Frank and a costumed visitor, winner of the costume competition.

A lovely lady Vulcan and Henry VIII

Der Klingolaus (German Klingon Santa!!!), Derek Lyons and Henry VIII !

There were talks, games, demonstrations and role-play performances and I was having a whale of a time. And then, I felt ill! I had a raging thirst and no matter how much I drank to try to assuage the thirst, I got worse!

Assuaging my thirst with an unlikely pack-shot of Coca Cola.

I had suddenly come down ( as it turned out when home in England and at the hospital Emergency Department) with Diabetes - a nuissance I am still getting used to!

We completed the convention with a signing session, at which I looked like I had stepped inside from a downpour! 

Sweating for England and signing for a great guy called Jens, who had driven all day to reach us!

I had the pleasure that night of meeting some of the members of the German Garrison of the 501st costuming organisation, when Derek arrived back from a dinner given in his honour, at which he was presented with an Honourary Membership.

Amongst some of the fans attending, I had the great pleasure of getting to meet some stalwarts of the German convention scene and truly some of the nicest people! Uschi Heyn, a biker-chick with loads of great one-liners. Uschi claims to speak little English, but she has a command of English that made me smile at her apparent innocence, as she came out with toe-curlingly funny expressions!!! And to cement her in my affections further, she was accompanied by the love of her life, 'Baby' - a vintage motor bike of some quality!

Me, Comedian Freddy Bee, Derek and Uschi

Me with 'Baby'

All in all, we had a great time and I was recovered enough before we left to have a Turkish Pizza (recommended) before flying home. Only Ralph had any problems dealing with the crisp thin pizza base...

My especial thanks go to Markus, Ralph, Thomas and Bianka, Inge and Klaus for looking after us so well! I look forward to returning later this year (November) and seeing everyone again!