In London, on Sunday 26 February 1995, the Babylon 5 UK Fan Club hosted the first fan event dedicated to Babylon 5, at the Institute of Contemporary Arts.
Everyone seemed pleased to be part of the first Babylon 5 UK fan event. The Club welcomed members from as far away as Scotland, Ireland and the Channel Islands... so it was a truly "international" event. Everything went smoothly (and precisely to schedule) for the whole day.
There were Babylon 5 documentaries, video coverage of Harlan Ellison's visit to the U.K. and specially-compiled music videos on SF themes to keep the party flowing!
J. Michael Straczynski sent a message of encouragement that set the tone for the whole day... a gesture much appreciated by the fans attending. And Michael O'Hare had taken the trouble to sign photos, personally addressed to all the attendees; it must have taken him hours...
On the last two days of April 1995, there was a Babylon 5 event in Hall 11 of the NEC in Birmingham, UK. The main Babylon 5 guests were Claudia Christian (Commander Ivanova), Peter Jurasik (Ambassador Mollari), and J. Michael Straczynski (The Creator of Babylon 5). Also appearing were Optic Nerve (the Emmy Award-winning make-up team for Babylon 5) and Danny John Jules, whom most of us know as "Cat" from Red Dwarf.
The vast, echoing halls of the NEC were potentially a rather impersonal venue, but JMS and the team went out of their way to ensure that the fans had a good time, showing great patience autographing, posing for photos and generally mingling more than would be expected at this type of event.
One highlight was Peter Jurasik undergoing the make-up process that transforms him into Londo. At least on the Sunday, Peter was made up on stage, continuing into his talk, answering questions as "The Centauri Ambassador". His ability to stay in character was an impressive demonstration of his professionalism... As we would expect from the Ambassador, he refused to drink the supplied water (saying "water is for animals and plants").
Claudia Christian was, of course, very lively and entertaining. She talked about the development of Susan Ivanova's character as the B5 story progresses: becoming more relaxed and confident, and simultaneously less severe in her posture and mannerisms. At one point she spoke in German to a member of the audience, and we learned that her mother is from Germany. Claudia gave the impression that she was a very dedicated actress, having worked almost continuously since she was eighteen. She had "always" wanted to be an actress, and now her ambition is to continue working for a long time!
As well as the Jurasik/Londo transformation, Optic Nerve made up one attendee as a Drazi. They also gave us interesting insights into the continually evolving make-up effects used: for example, recently they adjusted G'kar's skin tone to a darker shade, but have now decided to go back to the lighter version.
Another very popular item was a blooper tape (what JMS calls a "gag reel"), and JMS himself was, as always, entertaining and authoritative. He obviously takes a genuine interest in his audience, and feels that the loyalty of the fans deserves his support in return. For future reference, any event which he attends is likely to be good value for the fans: he expends considerable energy to ensure that things go well!
Mira Furlan appeared at the Riverside Studio Theatre, Hammersmith, West London, for a short run from 18-20 May 1995 in the George Bernard Shaw play, DON JUAN IN HELL.
She starred alongside Rene Auberjonois (Odo, DS9) and Ed Asner (Lou Grant).
Also on stage were Harris Yulin (playing the title role and directing) and a cellist, Dinah Beamish (Teenage Fan Club) providing incidental music.
This was a delightful and thought-provoking performance, particularly notable (from a Babylon 5 viewpoint) for confirming that Mira Furlan is indeed a talented stage actress, in addition to her obvious ability on television.
A full review of the play was included in The 5 Times
In Dublin, Ireland, on Saturday 20 May 1995, Peter Jurasik (Ambassador Londo Mollari, Babylon 5) appeared as guest of honour at a one-day Babylon 5 minicon.
A review of this event was included in The 5 Times
The Babylon 5 UK Fan Club hosted a series of talks and autograph sessions given by Michael O'Hare (Sinclair), over the weekend of 29-30 July 1995.
This was a great opportunity to see Michael in relaxed and light-hearted mood, entertaining groups of 30-40 fans at each session.
He demonstrated his wide range of ability, including frequent humour, anecdotes, demonstrations of acting technique, and even reciting poetry. He fielded every question from the audience, and produced a very spontaneous and intimate atmosphere, discussing the development of his role as Sinclair, as he progresses from an orthodox military commander towards something more like a guerrilla leader. Despite tenacious questioning, however, he studiously avoided any spoilers concerning plot. As he said, Babylon 5 is, in many ways, like a novel. We don't expect to knock on an author's door and ask the story-line of his next book... "So let's just enjoy reading this book together."
He mentioned many interesting behind-the-scenes details, for example Michael O'Hare asked that Sinclair's quarters should include books and African art, reflecting his own interests in literature and culture.
He also said that he was looking forward to working with Bruce Boxleitner in the Season 3 "two-parter", WAR WITHOUT END. They both worked on the 1981 TV Movie FLY AWAY HOME, but apparently didn't share any scenes in that production.
Between the lectures, Michael O'Hare gave unhurried autograph sessions, with great patience. He sat down with each fan in turn, personalising autographs and chatting to them for several minutes.
Overall Michael O'Hare demonstrated, once again, his charm and professionalism...
These two events were organised by Stargazer Productions, the company that produced Babcom '95
The same line-up appeared at both weekend events: the first in Dublin and then in Bristol a week later. This arrangement gave fans on both sides of the Irish Sea an opportunity to see the guests.
Claudia Christian (Commander Ivanova, Babylon 5)
Jerry Doyle (Chief Garibaldi, Babylon 5)
Dean Stockwell (Quantum Leap)
Denise Crosby (Star Trek TNG)
26-27 August 1995 (Dublin)
2-3 September 1995 (Bristol)
Michael O'Hare (Commander Sinclair, Babylon 5)
J. Michael Straczynski (The Creator of Babylon 5)
Ed Wasser (Morden, Babylon 5)
Majel Barrett Roddenberry (Star Trek, STTNG, DS9)
Sonni Cooper (Author & former assistant to William Shatner)
15-18 September 1995
Manchester, U.K.
The Gathering was great fun. The major Babylon 5 guests were Michael O'Hare (Sinclair), J. Michael Straczynski (The Creator of Babylon 5) and Ed Wasser, who plays Morden. All three were excellent entertainment for the fans, who, in return, gave them a warm welcome. The guests did "panels" when they were all on stage together (answering questions from the audience) as well as individual presentations.
JMS brought his now-legendary "blooper reel" of out-takes and jokes, as well as advance clips from Season 3: there are some spectacular space battles coming up for you to watch (eventually). JMS also discussed the observation that each time the Shadows appear, there are more of them. He was very mysterious about it and seemed to imply that this was significant (of course, this might just be another of his red herrings). There were some major hints about the future story, about which we are sworn to secrecy! I can tell you that one scene involves Londo and G'Kar stuck in a lift: it doesn't sound a very promising scenario, but it is extremely well written and acted... I think it will become one of the "famous scenes" that people will remember in future years. JMS was consistently entertaining with a steady flow of humour (such as his anecdote about being contacted by the Pentagon because they wanted to access the Babylon 5 Web Page and weren't sure how!) but also inspiring the audience with his message that "one person CAN make a difference." It was also obvious that he has a great affection for the UK, to such an extent that he is considering moving here after Babylon 5 finishes and he returns to writing books and plays...
Michael O'Hare's solo presentations included poetry reading and demonstrations of acting techniques. He gave the audience some idea of the depth of his personality, as he alternated between light-hearted banter, and serious considerations of psychology and morality.
Ed Wasser was attending his first convention, but seemed immediately relaxed, and as charming as the character he plays on Babylon 5! He said in a recent interview for "The 5 Times" that "I believe in karma, and I believe in putting out positive energy". Well, he certainly put out plenty of positive energy during this weekend! The catch phrase for the weekend was his famous line from the programme: "What do you want?"
The guests all did very relaxed autograph sessions: at many conventions the autograph sessions are time-limited, but at "The Gathering" the guests kept going until they had met everyone at least once. Michael O'Hare reportedly sat at the autograph desk for 5 and a half hours on Saturday! Throughout the weekend, they all went "beyond the call of duty" to ensure that their fans had a great time...
There were also parties every night, 5 video rooms screening science fiction 24 hours a day, competitions, art displays, dealers selling all the latest merchandise, and of course the fun of meeting 1200 other like-minded fans. No one got much sleep!
There were other guests such as Majel Barrett-Roddenberry and the writer Sonni Cooper for the Star Trek fans, and several "serious" scientists.
On Sunday the Babylon 5 UK Fan Club hosted the Sigma957 (Part 3)
meeting, with a "chat show" format for one and a half hours. Each of the three Babylon 5 guests in turn joined us for conversation in a less formal setting, for the benefit of about 200 of our members.Report submitted by Barrie Hall (b.hall@lancaster.ac.uk) (Edited for spoilers):
I was one of the lucky ones to attend The Gathering; a convention which showed just how big a following B5 has over in the UK. JMS was thoroughly entertaining; answering any questions like a true Vorlon! He also brought over clips from season 3 which looks excellent!
Michael O' Hare was a delight; one of the funniest and most sincere people I have ever met. He kept going almost 24 hrs a day; apologising after 5 hrs of signing autographs that he needed a five minute rest! His talks drifted from OJ Simpson to ballet, stopping off on the way to discuss the supposed Sinclair-Delenn-Sheridan love triangle (non-existent in his mind) and Dylan Thomas.
Ed Wasser (Morden), was attending his first ever convention... and acquitted himself well. When asked what it was that he wanted, he replied: 'certainly not to see my head up on a pike!' He believes that Morden isn't bad; he just wants to be on the winning side; at the moment that is the Shadows.
All in all, this was one of the best conventions most people I spoke to there had attended, and I thoroughly recommend Wolf '96.
Michael O'Hare (Commander Sinclair, Babylon 5)
23 September 1995
Larkin Lecture Theatre of Dublin City University, Glasnevin.
Michael O'Hare (Commander Sinclair, Babylon 5)
Sunday 17 December 1995
Page's Bar, Page Street, Westminster, London, UK
Paul Harper and Sarah Baker from the UK Babylon 5 USENET group with some assistance from Wolf 359
This informal miniconvention was packed (all 160 tickets sold out well in advance). There were a couple of Season 3 screenings ("A Day in the Strife" and "Passing Through Gethsemane"). Michael did a question and answer session in his usual charming style, despite jet lag...
When asked what role he would choose, if he were doing a season with the Royal Shakespeare Company, he said: Anthony, in "Anthony & Cleopatra". And who would he like to play Cleopatra? ...Jerry Doyle! He said: just think how Jerry would do the asp scene ... put his hand in that basket and bring out a beer! Michael joked that he couldn't say that because it would be reported on the Internet and he'd have to face Jerry... too late!
Jason Carter (Marcus Cole, Ranger Babylon 5)
29 December 1995
Page's Bar, Page Street, Westminster, London, UK
Paul Harper and Sarah Baker from the UK Babylon 5 USENET group with some assistance from Wolf 359
This was Jason Carter's first appearance anywhere at a fan event. He seemed pleasantly surprised by the crowd of enthusiastic fans that had turned up to see him... considering that his character had not yet appeared in any of the B5 episodes so far broadcast in the UK.
Jason talked about his childhood in Lincoln (although he was born in London). He attended an all-boys school, 20 miles from the nearest theatre... so there was little to encourage an interest in drama. Nonetheless, he found himself enrolling into the drama classes... perhaps because these were the only ones which were co-educational, held jointly with girls from a nearby high school!
Thereafter, he attended drama college and continued into an acting career.
He was full of praise for the atmosphere and ethos on the B5 set: no "star attitude", no tantrums... just good, friendly, productive work.
Jason apparently "read" for the casting of Coppola's film "Dracula", opposite Winona Ryder. He would very much have liked to play the main part (The Count, who was actually played by Gary Oldman) and he thought at the time that he had a "realistic chance" of playing the part of Jonathan Harker (eventually, Keanu Reeves was cast for this part).
He was asked if his B5 character would be "occasional" or "regular"; to which he replied that he hoped to be "as regular as the captain" (!) and that he had optioned for Seasons 4 & 5. He couldn't be more specific than saying he was going to be "pretty damn regular"...
Brian Cooney asked who had given him his Minbari fighting staff: "An Old Friend"... And who is the old friend? Jason agonised about whether he had already revealed too much, but then concluded that the old friend was "Ranger One... Next question!"
At the end of his humorous and entertaining talk, he went behind the bar and pulled himself a pint of the draught beer... by that stage he deserved a drink!
Last update: 04 August 2007