Get into a pod and let's go! un vrai pod, que vous pourrez essayer... Do make a reservation (address at the bottom of this page) and get there preferably at opening time, otherwise you will have to elbow your way through. Your entrance ticket will give you visiting access for 2 h 30: you will need that if you want to take your time watching videos and reading notices (everything is in English, no translation or subtitles). Kids receive an activity "kit" at the entrance, so that parents can visit at their leisure. If they don't speak English, then try to get them to look at the showcases before they discover the game room, because you'll have problems getting them out of there. But, if you also want to visit the British Museum and the Tate Gallery, perhaps you'd better pick them up at the end of the day? :0) Virtual tour Introduction video: a few explanations on the creation of Star Wars, by George Lucas, but also by an extraordinary team, whose work is showcased in each of the exhibition rooms. Paintings The first room is dedicated to drawings: this is a tribute paid, among others, to Mac Quarrie and Doug Chiang. Do admire on the way the latter's talent for watercolours ! Theed and Otoh Gunga are gems! Models Fasten your seatbelt if you have some imagination, you will take off intergalactically on board the vessel models: Republic cruiser, Amidala's vessel and even the Millenium Falcon -not to mention Anakin's podracer life-size!   A part of Anakin's pod... It's to big to stay on the picture! A video explains the filming of the Pod race, and there are interviews of George Lucas, Mac Callum, Jack Lloyd etc... a thrill ! There is also Jabba's palace model with all its sticks! Is all this a mystery to you? Then you did not see the "making of" -tough luck! Sounds A video and nine sets of earphones to hear everything of the Star Wars sound universe, and understand its production. Guess what the outcome between an elephant's barissement and the screech of a tyre on a wet ground will be ? If you don't know, you can always write to me! Visuals effects Creation and producion of virtual creatures Jabba and Jar-Jar. I know the animosity originated by poor Gungan, but the saga of his birth, as told by the video, is really exciting. Games Interactive games, trivia, behind the scenes, etc. Are you a "gamer"†? Then join the queue! A good parking space for turbulent children. If yours are the quiet type, then fear contagion from others... Costumes Upper level: the kingdom of costumes. From Leia to Amidala (the red dress which lights up, the embroidered black dress), from Luke to Dark Vador, respirator included, not to forget Chweebaka theWookie - what a nice collection! Amidala' dress And also creatures' masks (you can try several of them on), an alien which you will animate with levers and even Yoda, superb and fragile in the showcase where he meditates his success Yoda © Lucasfilm and TM Credit photographique: © M.Verbeeck - I almost forgot the unforgettable C3PO and R2-D2, whose stability is definitely not the main quality: don't miss his misadventures as told by the video!     Conclusion In brief, a good time for Star Wars fans, and for the others, a glimpse on cinema backstage. Only one thing annoys me, (before I conclude): the exorbitant entrance price (even if, when you like something, you don't count). Let's precise that in fact England is expensive: the entrance price is the same than the Art Nouveau exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Make sure you have a good budget for accommodation and for what the English call "meals" (with British humour I suppose). As far as I'm concerned, I am considering sending Lucasfilm a petition asking them to transfer this exhibition on the continent, at the heart of Europe: and why not in Brussels? Any one interested in signing it?   Address: Exhibition: The Art of Star Wars Barbican Gallery, Silk Street, London (underground: Barbican or Moorgate) Barbican Box office: O20 7638 8891 On-line booking: www.theartofstarwars.co.uk   More about Star Wars? Star Wars, Anthropology and Myths