Fans of retro-TV are set for a field day at the QUAD Cinema in Derby. If sci-fi fans – and their parents – fondly recall a moonbase run by svelte purple-wigged women, and a blond, ice-cool Commander Straker heading Earth’s defences against an Alien race in eerie spinning craft, they might want to check out SHADO Con.
This is a one-day convention celebrating Gerry Anderson’s classic series UFO, made from 1969-70 and set 10 years in the future – in 1980 – and released recently on blu-ray.
It boasts special effects far ahead of their time, stories with a surprisingly adult bent from the team who made Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons, and a supporting cast including then pop presenter Ayshea Brough.
Indeed, Ayshea, who these days lives in Grantham, is one of the convention’s guests, coming to the Quad to relive her memories as unflappable control room operative Lt Johnson.
She may even be tempted to dig into her career as pop singer and presenter of legendary 70s music show Lift Off With Ayshea.
Other major names heading along include Michael Jayston (Tinker Tailor, Soldier Spy, Only Fools And Horses) and Susan Jameson (When The Boat Comes In, New Tricks). Both were guests in the same episode, one of three being screened in High Definition at the con.
And for hardcore Ander-fans, UFO actor Shane Rimmer is also heading along. An instantly recognisable voice, he was Thunderbird 1 pilot Scott Tracy in the evergreen Thunderbirds.
Autograph sessions, model-makers’ and dealers’ tables provide the icing on the cake for fans from far and wide on Saturday June 3, 10am-5pm.
Additional details are at the official website at http://markersuniversal.co.uk/ and also on the event’s dedicated Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/193639827729342/
SHADO Con is certainly on positive track and is set to be the perfect event for all fans of UFO. Don’t be left behind, dust off your silver catsuits, purple wigs and string vests and set an interceptor course!
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