Rogue Pun at Star Wars: Identities
Published: Tuesday 27th June 2017
It's quite a moment, coming face to face with C3PO for the first time. All those years watching the irritating droid on film, then fiddling with the action figures, and there he is. Right in front of you. That costume, as worn by Anthony Daniels, is one of the first exhibits at the excellent Star Wars: Identities exhibition, at the 02, and coming face-to-robot-face with it makes me surprisingly 'emoshe' (as the marvellous comic Mae Martin would put it). And I don't even like C3PO.
Star Wars does something to people of a certain age. If you heard Peter Serafinowicz on Richard Herring's Leicester Square Theatre Podcast a few years back, talking about his feelings leading up to the premiere of the first prequel, you'll know what I mean. "Star Wars Star Wars Star Wars!" went his brain-mantra, as the trumpets blared and the famous 'crawl' began. And he was in it! Playing Darth Maul. Admittedly Maul and the music were the only good things about that particular movie, but the new Disney ones have definitely caused a re-awakening. Suddenly you're an excited kid again.
Identities is proper sci-fi eye candy. If someone told me that even one of these costumes - just a solitary Jawa - was on display, I'd be tempted to brave the Jubilee Line, but the range of exhibits can make you a bit giddy. From Boba Fett's costume, ship and the Han Solo-in-carbonite he bagged for Jabba the Hutt (all here, plus Jabba's animatronic eyes) to little imperial mouse droids, every turn is like Christmas morning.
Plus you also get to see lots of original concept art by the brilliant Ralph McQuarrie, and a good few bizarre facts. Did you know that Yoda - eventually brought to life by Muppets man Frank Oz - was originally called Minch, and looked like a garden gnome? I did not know that.
One of the reasons we've come to Star Wars: Identities, as well as the general pant-moistening awesomeness, is actually to get a little costume inspiration. The new Mrs and I were somewhat outshone at our own wedding reception a few weeks back when it emerged that next year one of our friends/guests is also getting married - on May the 4th, naturally - and going full Star Wars. Which means that we need to get costumes. And what better way to come up with some inspiration than gawping at the real things?
One handy aspect of Identities in this respect is the interactive bit, in which you get to create a brand new character, based on your own characteristics. Somehow or other I end up with an Admiral Akbar lookalike called Fishface born on a wookie planet who inexplicably turned to the dark side. So that's an option.
The other method is to ask comedians for advice. You don't need to trawl the BCG's Death Star-like database for long to figure out that comedians have tried pretty much everything, over the years. Rik Carranza, for example, is hosting a live panel show called Star Trek vs Star Wars at the Edinburgh Fringe this year, which he's previously performed at big costume-heavy sci-fi conventions. So what would he suggest, from the selection at Star Wars: Identities?
"I suppose what to wear will depend on what type of wedding guest you want to be," says Carranza. "If you're the awkward teenage guest who doesn't want to be there because, dammit, you're too cool and no one understands, then awkwardness is personified in Luke Skywalker. In particular, Episode 4 - A New Hope: Luke, wanting to sign up to the academy this year rather than spending another year at the family moisture farm."
I'm not sure I could pull off a teenager - woah, let me rephrase that - we might be after someone a bit older. Phew! Better!
"Perhaps you're the smooth operator," Carranza continues. "One of the friends of the groom who's single and out to hit on every bridesmaid there, maybe even the bride, and if that fails, her grandparents. There's no one smoother in the Star Wars galaxy than Lando Calrissian. A man so sharp he could even wear Han Solo's outfit and look better in it. His is a pretty easy costume to put together as well. Shirt, trousers, cape and if you're really struggling with the facial hair you can buy the Lando Calrissian disguise kit. A genuine piece of Star Wars merchandise."
Crikey. That outfit does look doable - close up, the cape basically seems to be an old blanket - but 'smooth operator' might be stretching it, too. Thankfully Rik has one more suggestion from the Identities cases.
"If you're really wanting to make an impression," Carranza concludes, "I suggest going as Chewbacca. First of all it gets you out of trying to make awkward conversation. The instant someone asks you how you know the bride or groom you can just let out a wookie roar.
"Secondly, you'll easily be two/three foot taller than anyone else, meaning that you'll be seen in every photo."
"Lastly, and this is most important, you will make everyone's day when they can get a hug from Chewie. I got a wookie hug at a convention earlier this year (pictured). I haven't had a better 30 seconds since."
Indeed, and if someone's there as General Leia we can do the hug she should've given Chewie after Han was kebabed. But, hey, why stop there?
Turns out this costume-searching is a great excuse to (a) talk to comedians about Star Wars, and (b) probably go back to Identities for another look before it closes.
The saga continues.
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