A long time ago in a small town not too far away.…
It is the time of the troubles in Northern Ireland and in the small seaside town of Bangor, two six-year olds Gategirl and Gateboy (as they were known to their parents) are out playing their favourite game, Star Wars. They have just flown the Millennium Falcon to some exotic planet (the farmer’s field) and are about to take out the Death Star for the umpteenth time!
Now, cut to nearly 40 years later and those two children are older but not any wiser, as both their parents would say. They are standing under the dazzling lights on the red carpet of the European Royal Premiere of The Last Jedi!
So how on earth did those two mega-fans get to walk the red carpet on such an auspicious occasion?
It all began with the announcement that tickets for the European Premiere may be released to fans to buy. Cue lots of messages, tweets and phone calls to the Royal Albert Hall, the venue for the show.
The tickets went on sale on Wednesday 6th December and two were secured. We then had to ask our spouses if we could go out to play Star Wars, and it was resounding yes. (not sure what either of us would have done if it was a no but it might have involved divorce papers!)
Then a frantic few days of bookings and organisation began and then SNOW. The whole of the U.K seemingly shuts down and the tickets haven’t arrived! Thankfully, a fellow Fantha Tracker, Martin Keeler, comes to the rescue. Quite literally at the midnight hour of the morning of the event, he passes on instructions including the requirement of black tie and being on the Red Carpet for 4.00pm! Cue even more frantic organisation including finding a tux rental place and changing of train tickets, all done from Sweden or the Midlands!
Then, just like planes, trains and automobiles, the journeys of the Fantha Trackers began through the heavy snow of Sweden and the thin layer in the U.K. Gategirl and Gateboy were reunited in the London Hilton Metropole hotel on Edgware Road, dressed to the nines ready to play Star Wars with a difference!
We arrived at The Royal Albert Hall, met up with fellow Fantha Trackers Mark Newbold and Matt Booker, then we head straight to the box office. On the outside the “40-somethings” were relatively calm, looking like they were born to walk the red carpet however, in our heads, there was a massive cantina band party going on! Once tickets were in hand, a collective sigh was released, we relaxed, and reality struck.
WE WERE AT THE PREMIERE OF STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI!
We started off with no expectations about what our experience would be like, but we did have our phones charged and posters and sharpies at the ready! A few minutes later we walked through the entrance to Starkiller Base and our breaths were taken away. What greeted us were hundreds of fans and photographers all waiting for the cast, crew and the Royal Princes William and Harry. After a few pictures with some First Order Troopers we took a moment and asked ourselves what would our six-year old selves be saying?
Then, suddenly, it began. We spotted Rian Johnson and Ram Bergman and asked could we have our photos taken. They happily obliged so we then chanced our arm with the poster we had brought and again no hesitation, they signed them! We were on cloud nine! After that our bravometer increased in power! We met and chatted to Joonas Suotamo ,Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern, Gwendoline Christie, Andy Serkis and the list went on! Every single person was so lovely and friendly. The security guards were fantastic they could see we were true fans and they even helped us!
The stars kept coming, Oscar Issac, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley to name a few. Sadly, the big three were so busy with interviews. We watched them all and each of the actors interviewed with such grace and poise!
It was almost time to go into the venue, but who should arrive none other than Bob Iger, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall and the legend that is Frank Oz! We chatted to Kathleen Kennedy and her husband about when we had met them both in the children’s play area at Celebration in Essen, Germany! We were fairly recognisable that afternoon as Andrew was dressed as Darth Maul. They said they remembered us and we hope that wasn’t them just being polite!
As the deadline to be off the carpet was fast approaching our final encounter was with none other than the Jedi Master himself, Mark Hamill. He had walked up and down the whole length of the red carpet giving interview after interview, but yet he still had time to smile and pose for a photo! We thanked him for being him he replied “You’re welcome” and as quickly as we met he went….
We headed up the stairs to where Edith Bowman was hosting each of the actors on stage! We caught a lesson in Wookiee! Then as we were about head in would you believe it we managed somehow to get ALL the Fantha Trackers who were there assembled! The obligatory photo was taken and off we went into the hall!
The seats were in the Rausing Circle just above the Royal Box so we watched the Princes arrive and meet the cast and crew on the giant IMAX screen! The cast were all then introduced on the stage one by one flanked by the Praetorian Guards and First Order Stormtroopers!
Then to huge cheers the movie began and what an emotional rollercoaster it was. However, if you want to know anything about the plot, you won’t find it here you’ll have to look at our spoiler free reviews!
Almost as soon as it began, the film finished, and it was time to leave. We bid farewell to our friends and walked out to grab a cab, but who was there beside us.…
None other than Gareth Edwards, the director of Rogue One. Again, he was so friendly and happy to chat even in the most appalling weather. He recognised my wool wrap as a Vader cape and was very impressed with it. We chatted for a few minutes longer, then the freezing rain and weather took its toll and we didn’t fancy standing in the rain in our finery, so off we hailed a taxi and headed back to the hotel via the kebab shop!
While checking in with our families, it turned out that we were spotted several times during the live streaming on the BBC and Sky News. Fame at last!
It was the event of a lifetime especially if like us you’ve thought, “Being on the red carpet is amazing but it will never be me!” Gategirl and Gateboy were reunited for one more playdate and what a playtime it was!
If you missed the coverage of the European Premiere you can catch up here via Star Wars Official YouTube.