Bruce UK Appearance - UPDATED.

[cheatingtheman]

Bah! £75 for a train ticket - Leeds to Coventry. Right now this is THE only thing standing in my way. As far as I remember admission isn't too bad nor are the signing fees and a random snap with the stars is free.

When I was employed this wouldn't be an issue but I don't get paid in my new job for another month.

[Names_Ash_Housewares]

I just checked the same thing and its gonna cost £100 ($200) from Hartlepool just for the train! plus I wouldnt arrive untill 12:30 and thats just to the station.

[EvilDeadChainsaws]

If I can get there I'd be driving up from london, would take about 2-1/2 hours each way.

The admission fees are £5-£10 each and the 'stars' all charge for autographs regardless of what they're signing, but not for photos.

[cheatingtheman]

I just checked the same thing and its gonna cost £100 ($200) from Hartlepool just for the train! plus I wouldnt arrive untill 12:30 and thats just to the station.

Then our mission is clear sir. We need a driver. And a vehicle big enough for my girlfriend and I, yourself and another and the driver. What do you think? Know anybody? Obviously split the petrol and parking costs.

[EvilDeadChainsaws]

I have a van... but it only has 2 seats, and I'll be needing one of those to drive it. My going or not is still up in the air at the moment as I'm really busy. I'll know one way or the other by weds/thus-ish. If i did go I could possibly pick one other person up provided they lived near to the drive between london to coventry.

were people thinking of going both days there and back, or staying in a hotel over the night, or just going one day? if so what day would people want to be going? I'd most likely only be going for one day and it would probably be the saturday.

[Saftster]

Alright I'm going as long as soneone goes with me as I've never been to Coventary before and I don't know my way around there D: So like...if anyone else is going please yanno come talk to me as I'm scared! *Wibble* And as much as I'd like to fantasize that yanno"Girl gets lost, bumps into fave celebrIty, Celebrity looks after her for the weekend" it ISN'T going to happen~!

[cheatingtheman]

Alright I'm going as long as soneone goes with me as I've never been to Coventary before and I don't know my way around there D: So like...if anyone else is going please yanno come talk to me as I'm scared! *Wibble* And as much as I'd like to fantasize that yanno"Girl gets lost, bumps into fave celebrIty, Celebrity looks after her for the weekend" it ISN'T going to happen~!

If you're anywhere near Leeds and can give me a lift I will be more than happy to look after you.

[Saftster]

I'd have to go by train, But would appreciate the company Were you planning on staying the entire weekend or what because I still haven't organised anywhere to stay and also I don't know what your ideals are on possibly having to share a room with a girl.

But you're the only person who's offered to go with me so far, there was another but she forgot all about it and made other plans for this weekend instead, Grr! Also I used to live in Bradford and I know my way around Leeds so meeting a fellow Evil Dead fanatic would be awesome sometime either way.

[cheatingtheman]

So who is going? Anyone want to meet up? Safster, i'm getting an early train so i'll give you my number on msn so you'll have someone there.

[Saftster]

Suh-weet (Or should I say "Groovy!") I'm booked in at The Ibis this weekend and I'll be in Coventry for midday, So after I get myself sorted and such I'll be head over to the Ricoh arena and meet up with people there if that's ok? Cheat I've pmed you my mobile for phoning/texting purposes.

[Names_Ash_Housewares]

To all the Deadites going have a great day and make Bruce feel welcome   

[cheatingtheman]

I didn't sleep last night. In order to get down to Coventry at a reasonable time I had to get a train at 4.45 a.m.

I arrived at the location and joined the queue of people just entering. I walked in the totally wrong direction from everybody and found the signing tables. As I perused the line up I was struck by my first blow. A giant whiteboard next to BC's queue line:

Absolutely NO photographs
NO Video Cameras
No personal messages
No signing of comics

Suddenly my fun bubble burst. And I found myself making excuses to my girlfriend for Bruce. But I'd already paid a chunk so wasn't going to bail now. So, we were ushered into the line behind two others. The wait was unbearable what with the rules so clearly laid out - rules nobody else had signposted, in fact Robert Englund had arrived and was stood enthusiastically shaking hands, cracking anecdotes and grabbing people by the throat for photos.

I kinda fell for Robert Englund today. He never let a fan down and never lost his energy. As a father walked over with his toddler Englund wisecracked "How sweet, Fresh meat" which got a huge reaction from the crowd. Every poster signed came with a story and he told folks about his hectic schedule flying back and forth. A truly wonderful guy.

Then in walked the man I'd waited 15 years to meet. He sat and started signing. In no way as enthused as Englund but I couldn't complain. My Book Of The Dead edition DVD and a glossy Brisco shot in hand I stepped forward as he said hello. I responded and when he saw my name was Ian he mentioned how his parents were going to name him Ian. I was impressed and smiled saying "That's one to take to the bank" to which he sardonically replied "But they didn't."

Any lesser fool would've mistaken Bruce's ascerbic wit and attitude as a bad thing. But I've seen him put down so many fans it didn't knock me at all. I asked how Burn Notice was going (even though I hadn't seen it) and he replied how he was off to Miami to begin Season 2 - I WAS SO TEMPTED to say, "There's two words you've never heard before - Season and Two" but thought better of it. I'd noticed he hadn't offered a handshake to anyone and so, as it wrapped up, I pushed my hand out in front and he clasped it firmly as he wished me a great day and his final words were "Have a good one."

I walked blinking into a new world with my head swimming. My girlfriend didn't understand so I put her hand on my chest as my heart thumped rapidly against my chest. She got it then.

In all it'd been about 3 minutes in all but it felt longer. Suddenly the entire reason for us going there was gone. £45.20 each on the train and £10 to gain admission AND £40 on 2 signatures (Bruce was the most expensive signature). All for three moments of joy. We spent the rest of the time going around the stalls looking at people flogging the toys of my childhood.

But in the back of my mind... no photo.

No evidence. Nothing. Just a signature on a sweet Brisco promo shot and a dizzy feeling in my head. Then I saw the signs.

Photo queues. Ticket holders only for Robert Englund and Bruce Campbell.

After a series of incidents we managed to find the ticket booth and I shelled out another £20 for a second meet and a picture. Bruce Campbell fleeced me today! I joined the queue (and thank god there were only 4 tickets left after mine!) and noticed the front of the LOOOONG queue were always laughing every 30 seconds or so. I started to wonder what was going on in the secluded photo room to raise such hilarity. And soon I found out.

Most photo shoots like this I have seen are standard affairs. You walk up and stand next to the person and *click* - NEXT! But there was Bruce posing all comers. Every 30 seconds a new giggle. I realised just how incredibly versatile and photogenic he was. Pulling faces and striking heroic poses next to the women while throwing his arms around guys... incredible. I had been hoping if we could quickly pick a pose I really would've wanted the "Don't make me use my stuff on you baby!" pose but right now I was just too excited.

Next! I stepped forward and shook his hand again. He suddenly brings his hands up into claws and says "Do one of these" breaking into the EXACT pose I wanted. Fucking amazing. And so I did. I also embarrassed myself by saying "oh the don't make me use my stuff on you pose?"

He just said "Exactly."

*CLICK*

Despite everything from before this was the Bruce I love. Animated, zany and giving each fan special attention.

No matter what I would've walked away today happy. But for the 4-5 minutes I spent with him today I feel on top of the world. I love Bruce Campbell more than ever. And to thank him I even picked up a copy of Alien Apocolypse to watch tonight.

**Re: Bruce's Rules - I heard rumor the organisers hadn't paid the correct rate for THE WORKS and so the rules had been enforced to limit it to a simple greet - sign - smile job. Whether this was the decision of Bruce or the stern woman with him I don't know. But who cares!?

[Names_Ash_Housewares]

All I can say is WOW! I thought it seemed a bit strict with the photography rules but ethen again you got what you wanted! Just a shame Bruce was in the country when I have next to no money this time of the month! Oh well no point dwelling on it, I WILL meet the man some day 

[cheatingtheman]

I got the info off a guy who stated the same as I did to my girlfriend. He isn't normally like that in regards to pictures. Look on youtube there are tonnes of videos of him and fans and there are no rules. He would've made today what it's take me at least 6 months. I have no doubt he'll be back. I never got to meet Safster as she arrived as I was having to go home. I hope she's okay.

Frigging George Takei was there too. Such a sweet fella.

And Kenny Baker and Warwick Davies although I never saw the latter. There were loads of little people in one place and Kenny Baker only turned up once.

[Names_Ash_Housewares]

God I hope he does come back man, i'll make sure I have the cash and the means of transport then and maybe some of us Deadites can all meet up, been a fan since I was 7 and im 24 now so not getting any younger haha, glad you got to meet him today!