Darkside Con, Bochum-Werne, Germany, 4 - 6 November 2011

I am very privileged to be invited again to spend three days with the wonderful mix that is Dark Side Con - a show/convention for fans by fans, that covers all aspects of fandom in one intimate show!

The guests this time include Pam Rose (Leesub Serln - The Weird Girl from the Cantina in ANH and Alpha Base technician in Space 1999), Peter Roy, who played a variety of characters in ANH and ROTJ, as well as being '006' in Thunderball and many more films beside. We have also Trevor Butterfield, who played a Stormtrooper and Imperial Officer, Rankor Keeper and the Rebel Officer- Lieutenant Blount in Star Wars. Like me, he left screen appearances for a new career behind the camera after 1982. In his case, it was to work in Special Effects and his talents have been evidenced by his work not only in Star Wars, but Alien, Indiana Jones and Harry Potter films. In addition, there is a list of celebrities known more to German audiences as writers, musicians, anime enthusiasts and all sorts.................Oh! And me....! LOL :)

So here we are! Safely arrived in Germany and already reeling from the wonderful hospitality and friendly reception offered freely by Markus Tschentschel, Rolf Prippenow and Alex, who met us from the airport. Heavy traffic and diversions made a half-hour journey into two hours, but we had an hour still to relax and settled again into the comfortable family Hotel Specht (Woodpecker), where I had stayed the last two visits.

Das Hotel Specht, Bochum-Werne, Dortmund.

We assembled in the bar (you can’t teach an old dog new tricks! LOL) and were taken out to a very nice Greek/fusion restaurant called ‘Arli’. I had eaten there before with Derek Lyons and knew how charming and extrovert the owner is, but my fellow guests had still to find this out, as he warned us it was useless to look at the menu as he had some old fish he had to get rid of and that would be his surprise for us – needless to say, even the production of three beautifully fresh and uncooked fish on a platter left us all reaching for the a la carte menu! Clever man that restaurateur! :)  The meal was, of course, delicious and our friend returned with ouzo for all! As I was genteely sipping a gin and tonic, I managed to escape and Pam was very happy with her white wine. But everyone else enjoyed the treat and we were finally sated and out of there!

Whilst waiting for the cars to be fetched from the underground car park, Pam and I staggered gently (cough, cough!!!) across the road, drawn by a shop window display, pictured below!

H.M. The Queen flanked by Kate and Posh Spice!!!

So, onwards into the first day, starting with the pick up at 2 pm. Very civilized! As I look out of my hotel window this morning, I can see the Christmas decorations starting to go up in the market square! Seems Christmas comes earlier and earlier these days…

... so we arrived at 2 pm to find the opening ceremony for the show was scheduled for 7 pm, giving us plenty of time to meet and mingle. So many people I had met in previous years – it was like a family reunion and all made Pam, Peter and Trevor most welcome. Trevor even found four of his action figures, which are on re-issue and grabbed them eagerly. Pam, once again, found her figure a rarity and as she had only brought two with her from England, I could imagine they would be snapped up immediately on the morrow!

The opening ceremony was compered again by Freddy Bee, the gifted young German comedian, and more or less everyone was called to the stage at some point and introduced – a great idea as it’s always nice to put faces to names and we were about to share the convention for the next few days. Once again it is important to note that this convention is a true fan-led meeting embracing all sci-fi interests. There were as many dressed for Star Gate, as Star Trek, and many, many more! And that is another thing, those not in costume are the exceptions and this show is modelled around role-play, skits, plays and fan films with presentations by authors, costumiers and the Rebel Legion, this year. Downstairs in the smaller function rooms there were banks of laptops with gamers, anime and manga fans. Software builders are also taken care of with their own rooms. On arrival back at the hotel, we sat down to a delicious meal and retired to bed, quite exhausted!

Gingerbread hearts.

The Outdoor Market which set up in the middle of the night!

Anyone fancy rollmop sandwiches and smoked eels?

The next day, having met for breakfast and the others having walked around the outdoor market in the town square, we awaited pick up for the first full day of the convention proper at 10.45 am. It proved to be a relatively busy one all round. No sooner had we arrived than we were drawn into a ‘breakfast with the guests’, which started slowly but eventually became a cacophony of sound as we were all talking non-stop around the table! From there we went to set up our photographs and ephemera and were immediately busy with a constant stream of visitors and exhibitors wanting signings. I met some old friends again and we had a great time catching up. I was especially pleased to see the lovely Inge Meiercord with her son, Marcel, whom I had met the first time I went to Germany for this convention, when we hit it off straight away! Lovely, lovely lady!!!

Later in the day, Pam and I conducted a Q & A in the main auditorium, which was at times lively and I was asked to sing something, so I gave the poor audience a shortened rendition of Hallelujah, a capella. The questions ranged from how did we start to what were some of the strangest things that happened during our careers. It was fun going back to the beginning and a marked change from talking of only Star Wars. The day became quieter towards 6 pm, though we were obliged to be there until 9. So, we packed up and joined the throng and enjoyed a performance on stage by my friend 'Der Klingolaus' - the  Klingon Santa Claus - and then we were all roped into judging the costume competition, in all categories. We had a lot of fun with that, as the costumes were some of them quite spectacular and some were…less so :).

Der Klingolaus with Pam and a Shaman!

The costume competition competitors.

In any event, the time slipped away in pleasant company and we finally returned to the hotel for another fine meal. I must say that the Hotel Specht does serve some incredibly good meals! Our compliments to Christoph and his wife!!!!

Sunday we arrived the same time as the day before and Trevor and I immediately set to on a Q & A session,which was fun! Peter and Pam followed on and had a very cosy chat going when I peered in! Expecting this day to be slower, I was amazed how many people arrived. I met a lovely group of guys and a girl from Paris and had the chance to brush up on my French, a nice Swedish couple, my old friend Ettore Holle from the Netherlands and lots more Germans! :). My brain was fairly frazzled by the end of the day as we came to attend the closing ceremony. Freddy was great and made the mistake of being caught out and being obliged to sing – now on Facebook with his permission. He also had to tell the audience that the film they had seen of Pam’s life contained the Country & Western singer Pam Rose, from the States, and not our Pam at all. A huge laugh was gained at his expense for that confession!!!

I love the look of disbelief as Pam tells Freddy that that wasn't her singing!!! LOL

Markus made a very gracious speech of thanks to all concerned and we each replied with our really heartfelt thanks for the amazing hospitality and wonderfully friendly reception and care afforded us. Oh, how we wish more conventions were like this! I have been exceptionally lucky to have been befriended by such nice people and look forward to another trip in the future! Back to the hotel and time for a quick drink before the packed streets outside had their procession and ceremony in honour of St. Martin.

Crowds assembling for the Heiliger Martin's parade and play.

Pam checks out a friendly wolverine! Beauty and the Beast!)

So, we are back in 'Dear Ol' Bighty' again and already missing our friends!!! Thank you all at Daedalus and especially Markus, Rolf, Ralf, Susanne, Alex and Joerg, for making this a thoroughly enjoyable and friendly event - as always!!!!

Here is the link to the closing song of the convention, when Freddy Bee was put on the spot to sing it again, alone!
 :)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fhmVLCJtq8&feature=player_embedded

"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!