Bond stars lined up for Memorabilia show, NEC Birmingham this weekend

An exciting range of stars from all genres of Cinema and TV, both past and present, is heading its way from around the world to the Birmingham NEC this month for Memorabilia 2006, the UK’s longest running and most established event for collectors of memorabilia covering film, sci fi, cult, TV, pop and sport.

Billed as Europe's largest collector's fair for film, sci fi, cult, TV, pop and sporting memorabilia, the event takes place at the NEC Birmingham on 25 and 26 November 2006.

As well as 1000s of stalls, Memorabilia will play host to over 100 guests from the worlds of television, film, sport and pop, including the cast of Red Dwarf, David Warner, Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), as well as several Doctor Who companions

November’s show concludes an exciting year of Memorabilia shows which have already attracted crowds of over 15,000 and this months event is expected to surpass all expectations.

The Memorabilia Show is the UK’s longest running and most established event for Held over three different weekends (Spring, Summer & Winter) at the National Exhibition Centre Birmingham, the show attracts a staggering thirty thousand plus visitors a year. The Memorabilia Show is a true celebration of the popular culture genre.

The Stage Area is where visitors can watch presentations on up & coming tv, movie & game releases, listen to talks by celebrity guests, participate in quiz’s and question & answer sessions.

In addition, there is the launch of the Cult DVD Theatre where visitors will be privy to exclusive screenings of up & coming new releases including, anime, classic tv show episodes, cult movies and trailers for new movies.
There are lots of competitions to enter including Cosplay – where people of all ages and interests can come along dressed in their own made costume from their favourite tv, movie, anime, comic book or video game character. Displays are to be found throughout the exhibition hall, showcasing costumes, props, vehicles and sets from movie & tv shows.

Exclusivity is the buzz word at the show as there are endless opportunities to be the first to see new toy ranges & games before they are in the shops. And no visitor will go away empty handed from Memorabilia 2006, as there will be a wide range of show exclusives and freebies.

Only just announced is the exciting news that Leslie Phillips OBE, will be appearing at the show. Recently celebrating over 70 years in the business Leslie’s career has encompassed some of the great British film and television series of all time, including the Carry Ons, the Doctor films and most recently the Harry Potter series.
Visitors should be on their guard as a major guest signing may be here on a mission to assimilate Earth into the Borg Collective. Alice Krig, best known for her portrayal of the Borg Queen in Star Trek will be making an appearance.

Tom Baker leads an impressive line up of Dr Who stars. Best known for playing the fourth incarnation of the Doctor in the long-running series, it was a role he played from 1974 to 1981, and more recently has been heard on TV as the narrator of Little Britain.

Gerry Anderson, is a producer, director and writer, famous for his futuristic television programmes, particularly those involving specially modified marionettes. His most famous and successful production in this genre is Thunderbirds. Recent showings of most of the Anderson library on the BBC and U.S. such as THUNDERBIRDS, SPACE:1999, UFO, CAPTAIN SCARLET, STINGRAY, and TERRAHAWKS along with the new syndicated live- action show SPACE PRECINCT, Anderson is enjoying a major revival in cult status.

Jeff Wayne is a musician well known for his musical adaptation og HG Wells’ “War of the Worlds.

More fantastic names who have recently signed up include Daniel Logan and Jeremy Bulloch who both played Boba Fett in the Star Wars saga of movies. Joining them on the dark side is a firm favourite of the show Dave Prowse who played Darth Vader in the classic Star Wars trilogy. Horror fans are in for a treat with appearances from Gunnar Hansen who played Leather Face in the Original version of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Kyra Schon who’s face was used to promote the original Night of the Living Dead.

Another first time guest is Ian Ogilvy who followed in the footsteps of former 007, Roger Moore, to play The Saint in the seventies cult tv show The Return of the Saint.

And talking of Bond, to celebrate this week’s release of the new James Bond film – Casino Royale there will be reunion of a number of classics James Bond personalities in an area dedicated to the genre, including Caroline Munro, Molly Peters, Cherry Gillespie, Madeline Smith, Martine Beswicke, Valerie Leon and Shane Rimmer.
Bond villains will also be in force with John Moreno and John Wyman lined up.

On Sunday the Doctor Who feast continues with a full guest line up change, Nick Courtney (The Brigadier) and Colin Baker (6th Doctor) represent the original series and Annette Badland (Margaret Blaine/Slytheen) Danny Webb (also known for Alien3) and Nicholas Briggs (Dalek / Cyberman) complete the line up.

Memorabilia have just recieved confirmation that David Carradine will be bringing with him official "Kill Bill Swords", these can only be purchased at the show over the weekend.

David Carradine will also exclusively be launching his book “The Kill Bill Diary: The Making of a Tarantino Classic as Seen Through the Eyes of a Screen Legend” even though this book has not even been published for distribution in the UK.

Memorabilia will be screening "Starhyke" two or three times a day, along with a full Q&A session with the Andrew Dymond, Jonathan G Brown and cast members of the show,
Starhyke is a new British Science Fiction comedy from creator and director Andrew Dymond.

Star Wars fans should fasten themselves for a ride as the organisers have just announced that the “ Landspeeder" will be on display for the very first time and there will be an opportunity for visitors to have their photo taken wearing "Obi Wans" cloak, whilst waving a "Light Sabre" standing next to the"Landspeeder",

Continuing the Star Wars theme, following a highly successful debut at the last Memorabilia show, the Wookieshop is returning to the NEC to showcase its fantastic range of super deluxe Chewbacca and Star Wars Costumes.

Model & Collectors Mart, recently sold to Warners, will be showing their new look which promises to offer more articles dedicated and focused to the TV, film & sci fi enthusiast together with features on classic screen collectables, stars and a newly introduced Classic Price Guide section.

Also Visitors should make a point of visiting the official Online Store for Hammer Films. Hammer Films Online Shop will be bringing to Memorabilia the most extensive choice of Hammer Horror movies on DVDs as individual titles or in boxsets.

The Corgi Roadshow has been ‘best in show’ at events up and down the country and will round off the year with a visit to the Memorabilia Show at the NEC, Birmingham, on 25 and 26 November.

Packed full of TV and film related models for kids – young and old – the specially designed truck forms part of Corgi’s 50th anniversary celebrations. And there’s a treat in store for all Bond enthusiasts, as Corgi will be showcasing models from its brand new Casino Royale range. Be amongst the first people to get a glimpse of the Aston Martin DBS and Aston Martin DB5….in miniature!

The James Bond theme just keeps rolling, as the Propstore of London is proud to announce the sale of the weapons archive of screen icon James Bond. Propstore will be able to offer the guns and weapons used by James Bond, attractive “Bond girls”, the evil villains and expendable henchmen on screen in over 20 Bond movies.

The ticket hotline has been increasingly active as the show draws closer and Mark Griffin, Show Director sees the event as attracting not only visitors, but stars of sport and screen who have taken the proactive step of supporting the show.

“The numbers of celebrities from sport and entertainment is easily the most we have ever had with more signing up each day. There is such a passion in this industry for memorabilia and those stars who are attending are coming to recognise and to thank their fans for the support over the years. It is an interactive event where people meet people to do business and to reminisce.
This is one of the most eagerly anticipated events we have ever held.”

Visitors are urged to book the weekend of the 25th and 26th November 2006 and register for the UK’s biggest event for fans of movies, cult tv, comics, video games, sport & music. Over the years the show has become "the" must attend event for UK fans of genre specific franchises.
The hotline is open on 0121 767 4555.

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