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By: Ian Trussler, Star Wars Autograph Collection UK Correspondent

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DEF CON 4 took place over the weekend of October 10th and 11^th and was a nice smaller sized, relaxed show, taking place in the Oasis Academy in Southampton.

It had a nice selection of Star Wars related guests over the two days but what attracted me was the attendance on Saturday of two first time convention guests, that being David Stone and Mercedes Burleigh.

David Stone played the part of Wioslea, the very weird looking creature who buys Luke’s Landspeeder in Star Wars, and is also inside the cantina, but you have to look really hard to find him there. Finding out who played the part of Wioslea has been a long term interest of mine, not sure why, but I have always wondered who played that part. So it was a great pleasure to meet David and finally get some images signed.

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Unfortunately like a lot of artists, from the first film in particular, that are advancing in years, David finds it’s hard to recall his time on set, almost forty years ago. He does remember his time there with his friend of then and now, Eileen Bellson (Roberts) who played the part of Mosep Binneed, who was also in attendance at the show and was instrumental in identifying David in the role. Eileen happily recalled how she used to joke around and sing into David’s alien antenna, as well as the moment she discovered the creature she would be playing. Creatures were allocated via the issuing of numbered tickets. Eileen had number 7 and recalled how disappointed she was to discover her face would be covered.

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David also worked on Return of the Jedi, appearing as a B Wing Pilot in the Rebel Briefing Room scene on Home One and also did some work doubling for Mark Hamill. David had a great behind the scenes photo of him with Trevor Butterfield, which I don’t think has seen the light of day before now.

I spent quite a bit of time with David over the day and as his first show, it was a nice relaxed introduction to signing and David has other shows lined up and enjoyed his day and looks forward to meeting more fans in the future.

The other first time show guest was Mercedes Burleigh who worked on The Empire Strikes Back as an Echo Base Rebel on Hoth. Mercedes worked for about a week or so filming mainly of the Command Center set at Elstree. One interesting story she recounted to me was how she very nearly played the part of K3PO the white protocol droid on Echo Base. She told me how Anthony Daniels had encouraged her to go for the part of the protocol droid as she had the slender frame and build suitable to the requirements of the costume. Mercedes was fitted with the costume and it was perfect in every way for her but she found that when the helmet was on, she couldn’t cope with the very limited vision and claustrophobia, so reluctantly had to decline that role.

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Mercedes has also worked on other Film and TV projects including Dr Who and as a double for Margot Kidder (Lois Lane) on Superman The Movie.

Mercedes also enjoyed her first venture in conventions and also has future appearances lined up.

Other Star Wars related guests in attendance on Saturday were Pam Rose, a regular at UK shows and two The Force Awakens actors.

Ian Whyte was there, known for playing Predator and also the white alien race from Prometheus. It is a fairly open secret that Whyte is the main actor playing Chewbacca in The Force Awakens, however he would not sign any Star Wars related items stating contractual restrictions.

Also there was Miltos Yerolemou, known for Game of Thrones, and who has a part in The Force Awakens and was happy to sign Star Wars items.

Sunday featured Ewok actors, Brian Wheeler and Michael Henbury.

All in all, a great show that deserves to be well supported.

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