The X-Wing Tour
Just what was the X-SWing tour?
Who was behind it and how did it get started?
Read on and find out!
The Star Wars X-Wing tour was a promotional tour held in several countries around the world.
Several 3/4 sixed X-Wing fighters were made and then shipped to various locations across the globe.
In most cases the "Tour" consisted of the X-Wing on the back of a truck, being driven to various shopping centers and cinemas to promote the release of the Star Wars Special Editions in Cinemas.
The X-Wing would be parked and "Unfolded" then a stage would be set up around the ship. An MC or host would then come out on stage and ask trivia questions of the gathering crowd and give away action figures as prizes.
Towards the end of each session, several costumed characters would appear and pose for photos with the crowd.
A real treat for Star Wars fans of all ages.
BUT...here in Australia we did something a bit different.
In keeping with long standing British traditions, we decided to create a stage show (or pantomime) to go with the tour.
This is how it went....
Our MC/Host (Marnie Franklin) would appear on stage with the X-Wing and chat with the crowd about the ship and the upcoming movie releases, also, she would warn the crowd that a rebel pilot was in the area and had stolen a bag of goodies from the Empire.
As Marnie left the stage, the Star Wars music washed over the crowd and our Rebel Pilot, "PC Wedge" (Played by Justin Dix) would appear on stage to the cheers of the audience. PC Wedge would walk up and down the stage, waving to the gathered masses and showing them the goodies in his page...the crowd cheered hoping he would be tossing them out to them soon. PC Wedge headed for his X-Wing, preparing to take off and get back to the Rebel base.
HOWEVER...the Empire wanted their goodies back.
Two Stormtroopers (Played by Adam Smit and Steve Carroll) burst onto the scene and started firing on the helpless rebel.
After a few moments of fierce battle (as fierce as it can be on a tiny stage anyway), PC Wedge surrendered to the Imperials and was dragged to the front of the stage.
Just then, the music changed and Darth Vader (played by Chris Brennan) emerged from the Imperial base (actually it was a horse float painted black and mounted on the back of the truck, but you get the idea) and strutted to the front of the stage. He instructed his troopers to search the X-Wing and find the stolen loot. While the Troopers search, Vader lorded over the Rebel pilot and forced him to his knees just as the two troopers came back with the stolen bag of goodies. Vader was SO HAPPY about it all that he strutted up and down the stage to menace the crowd and try to "Force Choke" a few of the patrons that dared to stand too close to him.
While this was happening, PC Wedge pulled a few of the action figures out of his bag and showed them to the Troopers, who took great interest in the latest release collectables and dropped their guard. PC Wedge seized his chance and snatch up their blasters and made good his escape.
At this point, Darth Vader returns from the end of the stage and is FURIOUS at his troopers for letting the rebel escape. He snatches one of the action figures of the nearest trooper and stormed up and down the stage in pure rage, hinting that he may toss the carded toy out at the crowd. (The people in the front few rows were going crazy hoping they would be the one to catch the toy if it was tossed).
In a final fit of RAGE, Vader flings the action figure behind the stage and storms off, closely followed by two very lucky Storm Troopers.
The Star Wars music builds to final CRESCENDO as the Imperial return to their base (the aforementioned Horse Float).
Our MC/Host appeared back on the stage to chat with the crowd once again and is joined by PC Wedge and his bag of goodies.
The two then host a trivia quiz for everyone and give away the bounty of toys as prizes. Darth Vader and his two troopers now reappear and along with PC Wedge, pose for photos with the crowd.
This show was repeated at least 3 times per day at locations all over Australia, from Brisbane to Melbourne. The X-Wing tour was a huge collaborative effort between Lucasfilm, Gaffney International, 20th Century Fox and Star Walking Inc. to celebrate the release of the Star Wars Special Editions (Specky Eddies as we called them) in cinemas.