On Saturday 30 July, thousands of people visited the National Space Centre in Leicester for what was the busiest day since the attractions opening day.
BBC Radio Leicester presenter Martin Ballard joined over 2,500 people for a Star Wars extravaganza, many of them in costume armed with cameras and autograph books to have their photographs taken with Stormtroopers and Jedi knights. Piccies galore! Take a look at our full picture gallery of the popular event and meet the local couple who turned their passion for collecting into an international business venture shipping Star Wars merchandise all aver the world right here!
| "There's something in Star Wars for everyone to enjoy and like... and that really is the secret of it's appeal... and also the story itself." | | Warwick Davis (also starred in Willow) |
The main attractions were two of the actors from the films. Martin spoke to Dave Prowse - Darth Vader himself, but first he spoke to Warwick Davis who was Wicket the Ewok and made his first Star Wars movie at the age of 11. He's gone on to appear in Willow and the Harry Potter movies... Listen to comments and answers from David Prowse and Warwick Davis aka about the Star Wars films here...
Q: What is the secret of the success of Star Wars? Warwick Davis:
 | | Warwick Davis aka Wicket |
Well... I think if we knew that we would all be rich like George Lucas, because we could then go ahead and make great films. But I think it's something to do with the richness of which the universe is created and the depth of characters and the range of characters. There's something in Star Wars for everyone to enjoy and like and that really is the secret of it's appeal... and also the story itself. It really does boil down to the good verses evil, which is a very universal theme that everybody can relate to from whatever background they come from. I think these things made great entertaining movies to watch and I've been a fan since 1977, when the first one came out. David Prowse: We really had no idea, in fact we made the film in 1976 not 1977 and to be perfectly honest when I was working on it I honestly thought I was doing a load of rubbish. It was one of these films where you had all these strange creatures wondering around, you had all these characters and you had no idea where all the bits you where doing fitted into the overall conception.
 | | David Prowse aka Darth Vader |
It was the introduction of the blue screen process. George would come up to me and say, "Go and stand in front of that blue curtain and imagine the planet down below". I was thinking what is going on here! And then they brought over a 3D camera, which didn't work. They spent ages and ages and ages trying to get this camera to work, which never worked and of course we never saw any special effects, never heard any music. I think it was a huge surprise to use all when George went away and complied it all together, put the special effects and everything else on and made the fantastic epic it became. Q: Twenty years on, here in Leicester, kids who weren't even born in the 70's still know the Star Wars movies and they all want to meet Darth Vader - don't they? (To David) A: It's wonderful isn't it? I find it quite strange how here I am, everyone knows the original Darth Vader from Star Wars is here signing autographs, but the dressed up characters going around as Darth Vader is attracting a lot more attention than me! Q: What's next for you now? (To Warwick) A: I'm currently working with the BBC developing some children's science programming. You'll see me in Harry Potter Four, coming out in November. I'm also developing a talk show called 'Small Talk'. A great success!
 | | Are you lookin' at me? |
Families from Leicestershire and beyond were not only able to enjoy meeting with the Star Wars characters, but also enjoyed children’s workshops and displays of film cells, Star Wars memorabilia and props from the films. The Star Wars event raised thousands of pounds for Children in Need and Make a Wish Foundation. The National Space Centre will be open throughout the Summer period offering visitors a great family day out, with six fully interactive galleries, including the new Human Spaceflight Experience, Rocket Tower, Restaurant, shop and free parking. | 
Watch the Star Wars event come to life!
