AT first glance, there do not seem to be too many similarities between the original Star Wars trilogy and Lord of the Rings.
But Charles Ross, who has condensed each series into its own hugely successful 60-minute stage show, says there are definite parallels between the two sagas.
“I think in both sets of stories it is down to the hero being empowered, whether it is Frodo or Bilbo Baggins or Luke Skywalker. They are all bored individuals looking for adventure, who maybe believe they are losers, but who rise to the occasion. It’s not rewarding laziness, but it shows that sometimes something can fall onto your plate.
“On another level, if you are a child then Star wars has adventure and laser guns, space and adventure. It is limitless.”
Charles was three when the original Star Wars was released.
Although initially too young to see the film, he was entranced by television adverts for film merchandise and eventually saw it when he was about five.
“It impacted itself upon me and I remember being so excited by it,” he said. “To this day, when I see it, it brings back all those wonderful memories of childhood.”
Charles is returning to Lighthouse in Poole this week with his One-Man Star Wars Show, which he has performed all over the world and which has been endorsed by George Lucas himself.
“I didn’t seek the licence out which in hindsight was the right thing to do,” said Charles. “If I had gone to Lucasfilm in the early days and told them I was thinking about doing the show, they would probably have said no.
“But because I tried it and it was a success and it has proved itself and people still get excited about it, it had more worth. I wasn’t hurting their brand and they weren’t asking me for money and in the end they were very reasonable and gave me the license. It all worked out.”
In an hour on stage he plays all the characters, makes the music and brings the three films’ most iconic scenes – including the garbage disposal drama, ‘I am your father’ and the Ewok forest battle – to vivid life. The act is interspersed with ad libbing and in-jokes and has become a must-see for Star Wars fans everywhere.
The One-Man Star Wars show concentrates on the first three films and Charles says he has no plans to put together a sequel based on The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith.
“I have considered it but to be honest, I would have to manufacture the show, whereas the first one came to me naturally because I put it together through my childhood love of the films. They are not perfect, but there is no such thing as a perfect film. The first three were meant for children but if you consider Revenge of the Sith, it was given a PG/13 rating in North America and parts of it are pretty dark and harsh and I wouldn’t be totally happy doing it. My experience of the first three films came from the heart of a child and that is what I am tapping into.”
One-Man Star Wars is at Lighthouse in Poole on Thursday at 7.30pm. Tickets are £16 plus concessions from 0844 406 8666.
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