One of the largest Star Wars fan private collections in the world is coming to Peterborough.
The collection – entitled Unofficial Galaxies – go on display at Peterborough Cathedral from mid-July to August 29.
Among the most exciting exhibits within the 121-piece collection are a full-size Landspeeder purchased from London’s Elstree Studios.
There is also the desk and chair of young Anakin Skywalker from the 1999 film The Phantom Menace.
Also on display will be an array of original production items, and costumes for characters such as Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Darth Vader and many more. Much prized Star Wars toys dating from 1977 to 1999 will also be on show.
The exhibition is rarely seen in the UK so it is hoped that families who have enjoyed the series across the generations, and Star Wars fans from a wide area, will take the opportunity to come and see it. Visiting in costume will be positively encouraged!
The Very Revd Chris Dalliston, Dean of Peterborough, said: “We are very excited to be bringing this extraordinary collection to Peterborough.
“I was at University when the first Star Wars movie was released in the 1970s and the unfolding story proved a compelling narrative for me, my children and for many millions of people around the world in the years that followed.
“I’m sure this exhibition will draw many people to see it, some of whom will discover our beautiful Cathedral and city for the first time.
“Like many of the exhibitions we have held in the Cathedral in recent years, Unofficial Galaxies will delight and entertain. It also has the potential to open the door to bigger conversations, in this case about the age-old struggle between good and evil and the role of a ‘higher power’.
“These are themes at the heart of the Christian story, and we will certainly be exploring those connections whilst the exhibition is here.”
The exhibition is arranged as a series of scenes with groups of characters and sets and will be on display in the central and eastern parts of the building.
The nave of the Cathedral remains open for worship and visiting.
Tickets for the exhibition will go on sale in the next few weeks.
In the meantime, check the Cathedral website for more information: www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk/galaxies. Income from ticket sales will help to support the running costs of the Cathedral.
(The Unofficial Galaxies exhibition is in no way linked to Disney Enterprises INC, Lucasfilm Ltd LLC, Lucas Licensing Ltd or Lucas Entertainment Company Ltd LLC. The exhibition is a privately owned collection. All the images used are reproductions of private works belonging to the exhibition and from Shutterstock).
Previous summer exhibitions at Peterborough Cathedral
In 2018, its 900th anniversary year, the Cathedral hosted Tim Peake’s Spacecraft, presented by Samsung and Science Museum Group, having won a national competition to be the eighth venue on its UK tour. In 2019 the Cathedral’s summer exhibition was of Luke Jerram’s artwork, Gaia, and in 2021 it showed the art installation One Small Step by Peter Walker, sculptor.
In summer 2022 the Cathedral hosted T.rex: The Killer Question, a touring exhibition of dinosaurs on loan from the Natural History Museum, London. Around 50,000 visitors are estimated to have seen the exhibition over the school summer holidays.
