Was 'The Force' with us during Snow White?

Greetings Upstagers family & friends!

Now, it may not be general knowledge amongst members of the general public, but I am a HUGE fan of Star Wars. Some might say worryingly so. The cast and crew are generally aware of this, but I generally try to sneak a Star Wars reference into all Upstagers shows. In fact this year's panto also got a few other references from my childhood too!

OK, first Star Wars reference. If you look very carefully on page 5 of the Snow White programme you'll find something that looks like a certain Imperial battle station floating amongst the stars.

Also, Moaney the Dwarf - played brilliantly by my buddy Landon, had two classic lines which are lifted straight from Star Wars - "I have a bad feeling about this" and "We're doomed".

Finally people of my generation may recognise the two kingdoms mentioned in the show. The story takes place in the Kingdom of Eternia, and Prince Valentine is from the Kingdom of Etheria. Sounds familiar? Eternia is the planet that's home to He-Man and Skeletor, whilst Etheria is home to He-Man's twin sister She-Ra, Princess of Power. I'd like to claim credit that the name of the wicked queen, Evillene is a direct homage to Skeletor's side-kick Evilyn, but it's the same name that Gill used the last time we performed Snow White, many years ago.

Over the last few years I've always tried to sneak Star Wars references into Upstagers' shows, if you have the programmes for 2013 shows 'Children of Eden' and the Dramovox show 'A Christmas Carol' you'll be able to find more. Sometimes they'll be on-stage like our Spring 2013 show, 'Little Shop of Horrors', one poster on set featured the Rancor monster that featured in 'Return of The Jedi'.

So Upstagers audiences, your challenge is to keep spotting my hidden (or not so hidden) Star Wars references in future Upstagers shows. Sometimes they'll be subtle and sometimes they'll be pretty obvious. But they will ALWAYS be there as long as I can sneak them in. I haven't decided how to work one in to Les Mis yet, but there will be at least one... trust me. Just don't tell Gill.

Thank you to everyone for your support of my Upstagers family and may The Force be with you... always.

Andrew
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