Paul sends in a very detailed account of the UK Star Wars Celebration.

by Paul Luttman

As you know, May 16th was a HUGE day for Star Wars fans in the UK. Not only did the premiere for Episode 3 take place in Leicester Square (heart of London's West End) but a whole celebration of the Star Wars saga took place.

I arrived in Leicester Square just after midday to find the place buzzing with Star Wars goodness. The Empire cinema was holding the Star Wars-athon (showing all SIX films to the lucky holders of special 'Galactic passes') and the Odeon was going to hold the star-studded premiere later that evening.

Around the square, fans dressed as Jedi, Sith, Yodas and other familiar faces. A legion of Stormtroopers patrolled the square but were distracted from their duties by fans impromptu photo calls. As I wandered around the back of the square I noticed a familiar face. It was Rob Coleman. I approached the ILM master and he gladly posed for a photo with me. I thanked him for his work. Cheers Rob!

A large concert stage had been erected especially for the day. Three huge screens were at either side of the stage and a larger screen at the back of the stage. At 1pm the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra were introduced onto the stage and performed a concert of Star Wars music from the original trilogy and episodes 1 & 2. Clips from the saga were played on the giant screens to the joy of the 2000 or so audience. After playing for over an hour the orchestra stood and received a rapturous applause. Fan-tastic! We were then told that three Star Wars stars would be interviewed, on stage, at 3pm. I couldn't wait.

After lunch I took my position near the front of the stage to await the promised stars. A presenter of TV shows in the UK called Richard Bacon took to the stage and introduced the first guest?BOBA FETT, Jeremy Bulloch! He talked about his time on Empire and Jedi and how he wished George had given him a more dignified way to exit the series. Though he did suggest that Boba had opened a fast food chain within the stomach of the Sarlacc!!

The next guest left me breathless, "could it really be him?" I thought?..COUNT DOOKU, Christopher Lee! The man is well into his 80's yet, he came onto the stage (wearing a long cream raincoat) with the grace and command of a King. A sense of utter respect and attention came over the crowd. We were in awe. He sat down next to the interviewer and pointed out that 'Even Jedi wear Macintoshes!'. The place roared with laughter. In that moment, he made the audience relax in his presence. Questions about how much of the lightsaber battles was he physically involved with were asked. Christopher replied with great wit and humour. Especially when a clip from Episode 2 was shown (when he receives the Death Star plans) with him and Poggle. He points out that he is the one on the right! After a few questions from the audience Christopher Lee rises and leaves the stage.

Finally, Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) joins the stage to talk about his involvement in all six Star Wars films. The usual questions are asked, like how hot was it during filming in Tunisia during the filming of A New Hope (it was actually cold). Clips of 3PO and R2 were shown and Anthony recited his own lines over the clips. A very nice bloke. By the time he leaves the stage, it is after 4pm and the rain starts to fall heavily on a crowd that couldn't care that they were getting soaked, it was Star Wars!

With a few hours still to go until the stars would arrive for the start of the UK premiere of Episode 3, a crowd of about 50 across and 10 deep was now gathering directly in front of the entrance to the Odeon. The red carpet was being laid out and stretched all the way round the corner of the square. Security firms were placing barriers around the carpet to fend off the gradually growing masses of movie fans anticipating the arrival of their heroes. As for me the rain was becoming more intolerable so I rushed into a nearby Starbucks and dried off with a coffee and sandwich.

By 6-6:30pm the rain had eased slightly and the crowds were rapidly growing with people leaving a days work and joining the fun in the square. I took position in front of the Odeon, but much further back than the fans who had been at the front since the morning. The Orchestra had now returned to the stage and began to play the same set that they played earlier. That was except for rousing performances of 'Duel of the Fates', 'Battle of the Heroes' and (to the loudest cheer of the day so far) 'The Imperial March'! I was in heaven.

Leicester Square now had over 5000 people crammed into the area, all trying to keep warm from the crappy British May weather. Yet, somehow, a warm glow of joy seemed to fill everyone who were listening to the music and waiting for the stars. Umbrellas obscured my view of the guests arriving on the red carpet. But amongst the b-list celebrities that were arriving we all knew when a 'Star Wars' person arrived due the deafening cheers and screams that came with them. First Oliver Ford-Davies, then Christopher Lee and Peter Mayhew. Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker and a few of the ILM crew soon followed. Then what seemed to be a chaotic 10 minutes of screams, I lost sight of the arrivals. Then on the big screen behind me a cameraman was filming right at the front of the cinema and there they were?all of them! Hayden Christensen, Ian McDiarmid and there in the middle the true Jedi: Mr. George Lucas!!! It's actually him. The guy that's the cause of all this hysteria! I just started shouting with delight. Hayden was then interviewed for TV and could hardly hear the questions as hundreds of fans started shouting "Hayden, Hayden, Hayden, Hayden?.."

All the VIP's finally walked into the cinema to be greeted by staff and other guests. Then, about five minutes later, on a balcony (which is directly above the entrance and on the second floor of the cinema) I spotted Rick McCallum emerge with a class of champagne in his hand. Then THEY ALL FOLLOWED him onto the balcony to which I let out (and thousands of others mind you) an almighty roar of amazement. From left to right (I think) Peter Mayhew, Tony Daniels, Hayden Christensen, Ian McDiarmid, Christopher Lee, Rick McCallum, George Lucas, Nick Gillard, Kenny Baker and a few more I think. A few people said they saw Ewan McGregor but I must admit I didn't spot him. After ten or so minutes of waving and thanking the crowd they all started to filter back into the cinema for the start of the main attraction, STAR WARS - EPISODE III: REVENGE OF THE SITH!

For me that was it, time to take my big grin of satisfaction home. Although, of course, for some fans who had been watching Episodes IV, V, VI, I & II all day at the Empire, their moment to see Episode III was still to come later that evening. But for me that will be on Thursday evening, 28 years after a 4 year old boy watched not just a film but a part of my life that will be a part of me until I die. Thanks George!