"I've got a bad feeling about this..."
He has the official sanction of Lucasfilm and got the nod from several of the movie's stars - it's clear that Charles Ross has been handed the keys to the Death Star.
By Jason Walker
Man, solo... He may not look like much but he's got it where it counts, kid
As Time Out takes a seat and awaits the return of the Star Wars Guy, he is doing another interview and is in full flight – recreating the final scenes of Star Wars, when Luke is about to despatch the final missile that will destroy the Death Star.
Immediately, I’m back in 1978, lining up on a Saturday morning to see Star Wars for the tenth time. His mimicry really is that good. So it’s mildly disappointing to see that Charles Ross turns up for the interview visibly stuffed after having nailed that pivotal final scene for the benefit of another interviewer.
Charles Ross was five years old when he fell under the spell of Star Wars. Like millions born between the 60s and late 70s, the first trilogy of films held sway on master Ross to the point it became an obsession.
It began with a colouring book, then actually seeing the movie for himself in Waikiki in the 1980s, where his father was building condominiums. Nearly 20 years later, Ross was in the middle of an acting degree – the die was cast when he and his mate TJ Dawe were tossing a frisbee back and forth attempting to condense Star Wars into two minutes – a trick taught in acting school.
"It started as a comedy sketch," Ross admits happily. "It wasn’t a eureka moment, it was a sketch that mutated into a show. Then once the momentum started, it took over. Then Lucasfilm got behind it, and suddenly there was a demand."
The success of One Man Star Wars has taken Ross by surprise. "So much of what I do is voice stuff, really. I could be working in England and record something that goes to South Korea for an animated film, which then comes out worldwide. The show has been the beginning for me of where I want to go as an actor."
Ross now travels the world, playing all the characters, making the special effects noises (his lightsabre is very good, as is his Darth Vader and he does a superlative Luke Skywalker).
Since he began in 2000, Ross has covered the world many times over, and has performed while bigwigs from Lucasfilm sat in the front row eyeballing him. "I did a degree in theatre acting and expected I'd be working now. But after a while I began to think about what would give me some autonomy in my career. This has been like a dream come true."
One Man Star Wars plays at the Metro Theatre from Tue 29 April–Sat 3 May. Tickets available on 02 9550 3666 or www.crackercomedy.com