Residents and visitors to Swindon should not be alarmed if they see some strange, and possibly scary, characters roaming around the town this week. In fact, should anyone come across a Storm Trooper, Spiderman, Darth Vader or maybe even Gollum, the advice from the STEAM Museum is to keep calm and be prepared for the brand new Sci-Fi Exhibition coming to the museum on 3 March between 10am and 5pm.
The Sci-Fi Exhibtion will run until 20 May and includes original costumes and props from the Star Wars, Terminator, Gremlins and Iron Man series, plus many life-sized character figures.
Superheroes will also be on display as part of the exhibition, including characters from Spiderman, Power Rangers, Star Trek and Harry Potter.
Cllr Garry Perkins, Swindon Borough Council’s Deputy Leader and the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture, said: “It is very exciting to have this Sci-Fi exhibition at STEAM and we expect it to appeal to both families and Sci-Fi fans across the country.”
Visitors attending the grand opening of the exhibition on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 March will also get the chance to see and meet actors* from the original Star Wars movies, as well as the characters of Spiderman, Chewbacca and the Iron Man. The actors and characters will be walking around the Sci-Fi exhibition – for the launch weekend only - between 10am and 5pm on both days.
Ian Surtees, STEAM’s Commercial Manager, said: “We are thrilled to present this brand new Sci-Fi exhibition at STEAM. The Grand Opening weekend will be especially exciting as we will have many of the actors from the original Star Wars movies.”
The exhibition is the first of its kind in Swindon and will be presented as a joint venture between STEAM and Swindon based Skywalker Promotions.
Luke Skywalker, owner of the Sci-Fi exhibits said: "We cannot wait to show this unique collection, made up from original items and memorabilia. STEAM is the perfect venue for this amazing show. There are so many surprises to be revealed at the exhibition and we are expecting sci-fi fans from all points of the compass to attend. We've all been waiting for an event like this and the Sci-Fi team are so excited that it’s happening in Swindon!"
The Sci-Fi at STEAM Exhibition takes place inside the museum’s Hawksworth Hall and runs until 20 May.
Special admission prices apply for entry into the Sci-Fi Exhibition only: £4.00 for children 3-16 yrs and £5.00 for adults and seniors. Family tickets and combined tickets for STEAM and the Sci-Fi Exhibition are available. Under 3s go free.
You can find out more by visiting the STEAM website at www.swindon.gov.uk/steam or call STEAM on 01793 466637 / 466626.
STEAM is owned and managed by Swindon Borough Council.