This almost didn’t happen, because although I chatted to a couple of friends months ago about going to see the One Man Star Wars Trilogy, we forgot all about it and if it wasn’t for my wife reminding me yesterday, we would never have gone.
Accompanied by Phil I set off for the Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage, not really knowing what to expect. Before we entered the auditorium we were met by a Stromtrooper, who I of course had to have a photo taken with – it’s the law for any Star Wars fan, and yes, I was wearing a Star Wars t-shirt. Hey, when I geek out I do it 100%! Just a pity I was standing in front of a very bright light.
Me and a Stormtrooper
The warm up was a guy going by the name of Danny Pensive who was a kind of simpleton character. Despite his denial, he did dress a bit like Paddington Bear, but he was very funny and an original act, with no material I had heard previously. At the start of his act he asked if anyone had come from far away, so being the Star Wars geek I am, I answered Far Far Away – hey, it got a few laughs, thankfully! In a room full of people into Star Wars I was surprised to have been first in with that woefully obvious gag!
Thoroughly warmed up it was the turn of Charlie Ross and his One Man Star Wars Trilogy, and 60 minutes of galactic entertainment ensued. Charlie used every inch of the stage and with some of the most brilliant characterisations I have ever seen, and some great arm and body movements, he brought the Star Wars Trilogy to us in a way I never thought possible. It’s hard to explain just what he did, but without any props or costumes, it’s just as hard to say what he didn’t do! Let’s just say his Jabba the Hutt was almost better than in Return of the Jedi and his crumpling At-AT was brilliant. I don’t want to spoil it in case you go to see it yourself, and I urge you to do so, but the moment that Luke takes Vader’s helmet off is pure comic genius and had us all in fits of laughter.
The humour was just at the right level where it poked fun without insulting us Star Wars fans. There were minimal lighting effects aside from a starry sky background and spot lights which shone red for Vader and green for Yoda, most of the time. When the situation necessitated, Charlie proved he was a master of improv, as was proven by his dealing with a photographer he hadn’t been told about and later a crying baby.
The following is a demo video that will give you an idea of what it’s all about:
I’m so pleased that I was able to see this fantastic and original show, now I just need him to do the Prequel Trilogy – I need to see what he does with Jar Jar and angsty Anakin!
