A long time ago in a museum not that far away....
WHETHER you yearn to join the Jedi, or secretly hanker after the Dark Side, you’re in for a treat this summer.
From a galaxy far, far away comes May The Toys Be With You, a free exhibition showcasing one of the UK’s finest collections of original Star Wars toys and film posters.
It opens today at New Walk Museum and Art Gallery, Leicester, with a thrilling event featuring Imperial and rebel costumed characters from the 501st Legion UK Garrison reenactment group.
Visitors can also meet winners of a Star Wars-themed fancy dress competition and view demonstrations of sabre fighting and martial arts that would make any Jedi proud.
On show are more than 460 items from the collection of Star Wars devotee Matt Fox, including rare film posters and unpublished artwork, along with an array of action figures, many of them made by Palitoy in Coalville.
Like millions of children growing up in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Matt began accumulating Star Wars toys and went on to assemble one of the most detailed and best-kept collections of Star Wars merchandise anywhere.
Visitors will be able to explore the figures chronologically. Some of the exhibits will be on display alongside their rarer, alternative versions, while film posters carrying the now legendary Star Wars artwork will complete the picture, including a previously unpublished original alternative artwork for the first Star Wars film by artist Tom Beauvais.
Deputy mayor for culture and leisure Councillor Piara Singh Clair, will officially open the exhibition at 11am. Visitors will then be able to see Sabre Masters demonstrate their sword-fighting skills.
At 1pm and 3pm, there will be demonstrations of Korean swordfighting martial art Haidong Gumdo, echoing the films’ lightsaber battles.
Fans will also be able to create Star Wars artwork and fill in spacethemed activity sheets.
Coun Clair said: “Anyone who was a child in the late 1970s or early 1980s will remember how exciting and popular these toys were, and over the years they have become hugely collectable and highly evocative of that period in time.”
Matt said: “I’m really pleased that Star Wars is coming home. Leicestershire was home to Palitoy, the company which made the toys that myself and millions of other kids so enjoyed.
“It means a lot to have this exhibition here. I’m a father of two, and I do hope that mums and dads, who might remember these toys from back in the 1980s will bring along their kids to share the memories.
“This exhibition has broken attendance records at previous venues because it genuinely is a day out for all the family to enjoy together.”
About 300 million Star Wars action figures were produced between 1977 and 1985.
May The Toys Be With You is free to visit and runs at New Walk Museum and Art Gallery until October 28.