14 replies to this topic

[lee_c00per]

I have done a little research and apparently it's possible to get Ian McDiarmids autograph on Star Wars items if you attend one of his plays.

Is this true and if so, how many will he sign and what is the likelyness of actually getting his auto if i was to go and see him perform.

What shows does he have comming up in the UK

[dufresne]

As we speak, Ian is appearing in "Faith Healer", a truly AWFUL play at the Gate Theatre, Dublin.

There is no real place to check his appearances on an ongoing basis (that I know of) as he does not have an official site, but my mate heard him plug this one last year on Radio One.

Not sure where you are, or if you would go to dublin, but RyanAir fly there very cheaply ! BUT if you DO plan to go, check with the theatre first, as the initial run is sold out, with a growing waiting list.

We were down the Friday after GMex and managed to meet Ian after the show. The following, I posted on another forum, and is provided as information only, rather than break forum rules linking to it !

Quote

McDiarmid's reputation preceeded him but he was cool. Bare minimum accommodating, but a signed poster is a signed poster ! The two of us, and two german ladies were all that were waiting for him, so we probably did better than we might have. Posed for one pic per group (!) and insisted on personalisation, which we wanted anyway. Overall very pleased, even if Nicky managed to smudge his silver pen auto before we even left the building !

The stage door comes out into the foyer, so the cast HAVE to leave through the main door. Only thing is, short of being a ticketholder, you won't get IN that door. It's a long play - pushing 2.5 hours with interval, so they finish around 10.30, and come out quite quickly after that.

There's only a cast of three, and the venue only seats around 400 people, so it doesn't take long to clear. Ian has a reputation of not signing SW and not signing IP, but our attending the play seemed to sweeten him. If you get near him, you might want to say you weren't able to get seats !! He WILL insist on dedication though.

I really REALLY recommend that anyone who wants Ian's auto takes this chance, even if the play IS crap - he is notoriously HTF and just isn't interested in organised signings. I know some people are trying TTM - I'm keen to hear how it goes for them !

[lee_c00per]

Cheers for the info mate. I live down in Ashford nr Dover and cannot afford to go to Dublin but will wait until he is doing plays here in London again

[dufresne]

You might wanna try writing to him at the theatre (the address is on the link).

[lee_c00per]

Saying what?

[dufresne]

lee_c00per, on Feb 25 2006, 03:12 PM, said:

Saying what?

I love Star Wars, please could you sign the enclosed photo ?

[lee_c00per]

He doesn't do TTM though does he?

I might just go to one of his shws and hope for the best

[LITTLEOBI-WAN]

The show finishes in March at Dublin and then going to Broadway, New York, for a three month run, so it is not coming to London any time in the near future.

[lee_c00per]

Looks like i'll miss him in Dublin then

[Bounty Hunter]

I met him once at the Almeida theater (I believe it was August 2000) and waited for hours for him to come out.  Since it took so long and I had to get the Eurostar back to Belgium, I rang and a nice lady (janitor?) took my stuff up to his office.  Two hours later, they were returned to me by... you are not going to believe this, but it's true - Ben Kinsley!  He told me Mr McDiarmid didn't have the time to come out to meet me.

But before I actually had to go to get my train, I saw Mr McDiarmid leave the theater.  I went up to meet him because I wanted to thank him for signing my photos and action figures.  I never got the chance.  When he saw that I was holding SW stuff, he turned around and ran away.  I mean that litteraly - he began to run!

I had never experienced anything like this.  In retrospect it was kinda funny, but in the end I would have preferred to get my photo taken with him.

[lee_c00per]

Was your stuff personalised? If not, you are one lucky guy.

I find it funny that he litterly ran away  

[fugaziuk]

Quote

When he saw that I was holding SW stuff, he turned around and ran away. I mean that litteraly - he began to run!

yes i have been told this by other people he has ran away from!

my dad has been going to the theatre for a very long time (very) and has seen Ian in loads of plays all over the country.  althought he is no star wars fan - he has spoken to ian a couple of  times when he was doing seasons at the almedia in london at functions after first night performances and says he is very excentric - so he wasn't suprised about the running away stories!

but as for my encounter with ian - he was performing in lear at sheffield cruicible last year(you missed out there lee!)  i went to see the play and then after the show went to the back of the theatre.  as the cast were coming out they all signed my programme and ian came out last with sharon small (from inspector lynley- if anyone watches it)  sharon signed my prog and i asked ian and he was more than happy to.  he smiled and was very friendly!  i think he was mazed how much i knew of his theatrical background - as my dad had filled me in- so i sounded clever!

the play was amazing aswell!

by the way bounty hunter - you should write an online book or something about all the star wars people you have met - i would love to read it!

Edited by fugaziuk, 13 March 2006 - 06:06 PM.

[lee_c00per]

I wil get Ian's at some point, it's my mission.

I'm probably more likey to get Ian's than Mark Hamill  

[nosfer2]

Looks like I need to get theatre connections...!

[Skylover]

lee_c00per, on Mar 13 2006, 07:05 PM, said:

I wil get Ian's at some point, it's my mission.

I'm probably more likey to get Ian's than Mark Hamill 

I wouldnt say that lol!