Star Wars Weekend, Taastrup Medborgerhus, Taastrup, Denmark, May 2011.

The final poster for this much-anticipated event.

At last, the much-anticipated event for which I had been waiting was upon us - the Dansk Star Wars Loge's May weekend event in Taastrup, outside Copenhagen!!!

More photos will be added as I gain permission from those pictured to post them...

As those of you who have read of my attendance last year may remember, I had an absolute ball there in 2010 in the company of Toby Philpott and Gerald Home. Hosted by Michael HR Nielsen, Per Valgreen and Henrik Berndt, we all agreed we had one of the best convention experiences of the year! I am delighted to report that this year's was better still!!!

I was in the company of Nick Gillard - Stunt Arranger on the Prequels, Pam Rose - the sultry seductress Leesub Sirln of the Cantina in ANH and Richard Bonehill - all-round good egg and who should sign photos as - Richard Bonehill is Everybody Else!, as he played several different characters both masked and unmasked in the original Trilogy. Unfortunately, we were missing the company of John Coppinger, who had to cancel at the last minute due to unforeseen circumstances. He will be attending a subsequent event in October!

Pam Rose, Nick Gillard, Alan Flyng & Richard Bonehill. Dansk Star Wars Loge Weekend, May 2011.

I think Nick, Pam and Richard were bowled over by the amazingly generous and friendly welcome offered to us and the food......fabulous!!! Our joint thanks to the indefatigable Pia and her team!!!

As last year, I had offered to participate in the opening parade through the main street of Taastrup on the first day of the show, but this year decided to come as a more appropriate 17th century Town Crier. With my breeches and waistcoat, jabot and tricorn, caped surcoat and bell, I do make a rather unmistakeably large and imposing figure, even though I say so myself! I was likened to The Black Pearl in full sail! Not a bad analogy in truth, as I was pretty unstoppable! :D

Darth Vader and 'Daft Ada' leading the parade out into the streets...

 

Attendance in general was slightly down this year, due no doubt to the depressive nature of our mutual economic conditions in most European countries - but only slightly. The show covered it's costs and raised the requisite funds to enable the flights for next time's guests to be flown in. There are not many club events these days that can claim that! So, my heartiest congratulations to Michael, Per, Henrik and the team, again!!!

The excellent Michael HR Nielsen, who hardly ever stands still long enough to have a picture taken!

Part of Per Valgreen's Stormtrooper collection of action figures and collectables, displayed in my honour.

Amongst the events planned were two display events hosted by Nick, to do with the use of weapons used in fighting in Star Wars. These went down very well, especially with the youngsters!!! An auction of signed items and donated goods raised another £500 or thereabouts and all items on the packed programme were well received.

Our Q & A at the end of the first day was well attended and could have run on and on, as we were having a great deal of fun and lively conversations at the guests' table, drawing more and more questions from the attending audience. Richard and I had not seen each other for over 25 years and Nick was a lad when I last saw him! Lots of very funny memories and anecdotes came hurtling into the arena from our addled brains! I think everyone thoroughly enjoyed it - I know we guests did! The Q & A had to be finally brought to a conclusion as the evening meal was ready and we had overrun!

Pam demonstrates her enduring love of picking up the odd stuntman! :-)))

The second day, although quieter than the first, still drew a good crowd. We were ably assisted throughout the event by troopers from the Rebel Legion, Shadow Legion and The Skywalker.dk Girls and other Costume and RP groups. Thier contribution to the event was huge and much appreciated by all! There was unfortunately only an unofficial presence from members of the 501st Nordic Garrison, but I am personally very, very grateful for their coming and proudly wearing shirts and badges of the Garrison!!! Thank you all!

Amongst the traders present was a selection of excellent stands selling toys, memorabilia, autographs from a splendid Swedish dealer, and assorted exhibits scattered throughout the building. Michael and gang never fail to draw anything but the best exhibitors and this year was no exception. Special thanks to Autografer.net and Sebastians Toys for their great contributions to the success of the show!

As I explained to a visiting journalist from one of Denmark's biggest daily newspapers, this show is not like the huge commercial events that take place on occasion in Copenhagen, Stockholm or London. This is an incredibly well planned and focused attempt annually to stage a show arranged by fans for fans with actors and guests who enjoy mixing with the attendees and getting stuck-in with the running of the show. A real 3 Musketeers approach - all for one and one for all! This is not an event for grabbing the fan's money, but an opportunity to share the fun, interest and community spirit of true fans with whoever wants to come through those doors. That is what guarantees success and repeat visits from the public! The journalist confessed he had seldom seen guests so relaxed and mixing so freely with the public. I agreed and explained it was due to the great atmosphere created by Michael and his team as well as the professionals and enthusiasts all enjoying mixing together. He seemed quite surprised overall with what he found and went on walkabout for much longer than one would normally expect. I think he relaxed as well and decided to get into the groove!

I am over the moon with this award from Michael, Per and Henrik! Thank you so much!

Our thanks too to the staff of SAS for punctual flights and service!!!

So, my friends - keep your eyes peeled for the next show - probably October time - and bring your friends! There is enough to interest even the most jaded fan!

Star Wars Fan Dag 3, Copenhagen, Denmark

This event, arranged by Michael Nielsen and Per Valgreen, in Taastrup, Denmark, was one of the very best events I attended this last year! The attention to detail and care taken to ensure that Toby Philpott, Gerald Home and I had the most comfortable and enjoyable experience meeting the Danish fans, was outstanding!

The venue, just outside the centre of Copenhagen, ia a very modern and spacious community centre. Michael had asked me to bring a Henry VIII costume from my performance collection in order to lead a parade through the streets, prior to the start of the convention, which I did with relish! You can imagine the looks of mystified onlookers seeing Henry VIII striding out, ringing a bell and accompanied by perhaps 30 or more Star Wars costumers, including Darth Vader! Priceless! :o)




Henry VIII, accompanied by Darth Vader march through the centre of Taastrup!



Never one to be a shrinking violet, I went up to shoppers and surprised them by starting conversations they no doubt didn't understand at all, so I resorted to mime and vocal sound effects! It worked very well, as the next picture shows...



Sharing a laugh with some lovely shoppers!

Back at the community centre, Toby and Gerald had started signing for the visitors, and we arrived back with another large crowd in tow! We had an eventful session signing autographs and meeting some of the nicest and friendliest people you could hope to meet! :o)





Myself, Toby and Gerald (hidden) signing for visitors and costumers.

Michael Nielsen watches on in the centre.

I also had the joy of judging the childrens' fancy dress competition, where Michael and Per had ensured that each child received a present, whether chosen as a winner or not! I was reminded of when I briefly taught French in a Convent in the 70's - those little devilish faces trying to attract attention, making funny faces and displaying missing milk teeth!





Judging the childrens' fancy dress competition, watched by Per Valgreen, co-organiser of the event.

Later, we were asked to attend a Question and Answer session with the fans, which gave Gerald a platform to present a virtual lecture on his involvement in Return of the Jedi. The audience, Toby and I all learnt a lot from Gerald, but Toby and I restrained ourselves to answering the questions posed. LOL! We all agreed that we had been shown how a convention, albeit small, ought to be presented! My very best congratulations to Michael and Per for their wonderful organisational talents, so ably demonstrated, and my grateful thanks for the invitation!





Per Valgreen, Gerald Home, Michael Nielsen and me standing, with Toby Philpott kneeling, front. You can see a repro Viking longboat to the left, used to take visitors out into the fjord from the Viking Boat Museum in Roskilde.





Gerald Home, Toby Philpott and myself at the Q &A session.

The next day, most generously, Per, Michael and another friend Henrik Berndt took us to Roskilde to visit the royal tombs in the cathedral there and the Viking ship museum nearby in the fjord. This was a fascinating departure from the norm and we were all enthralled by what we were shown. Once again, other organisers please take note! :o)

Norwegian and reproduction Viking boats in the fjord. .

Inside the Viking ship museum .

 The beautiful and historic Cathedral in Roskilde

Truly, a most memorable and enjoyable event with new and very good friends!

More images are to be see at http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=203820&id=33938443518&page=2