#highlanders2

Came out of it grinning & happy. I rolled eyes at myself/ cringed for booking those tickets not long after attending ECCC earlier this year but not regretting it.

( speaking of cringeworthy though: the place in which the convention was held was just was appalling: run down and cheesy and horrid… glad I booked elsewhere to sleep at least…so a plea to Starfury to rethink their venue strategy! I get it, there are budgets to consider and you want to keep the cost of tickets reasonable but still…I felt embarrassed/sorry for people who came from far away and spent thousands in the process - to have to then end up there.)

Back to positives: for me the best thing about it was the big amount of time dedicated to q&a held with the cast members - as well as cast meets in smaller groups. I did not go to the meet-ups but even without that it was very do-able to get the mike and ask your question - even in Cait’s sessions. There literally was no moderators or ‘gate-keepers’ which left the mike open for fans. Which is great - provided fans do not ramble too much or go off rails ;). Fortunately I have not witnesses any major 'faux pas’. Goes without saying that it was pleasure and fun to listen to all cast members - all brilliant in what they do and great entertainers, each in their way. The comical double act of Grant O'Rourke & Steven Walters. Or the almost stand up comedy courtesy of Mr Cree. Experience and great stories of Gary Lewis, Annette Badlands or Graham McTavish & Lotte V.And endearing effort from younger cast members like Rosie or Finn on how to do this 'con thing’. And the brilliance personified that is Ms Balfe. I could go on waltzing lyrical …I guess you get the point - listening to intelligent people talk is always going to be rewarding. I almost was cross that I had to drop out of some of q&s to queue up for autographs ( all of them included in the price of regular ticket - which was a nice surprise for me )

Some funnier 'tid-bits’ have been already shared - Graham’s little (repeat) dance, how Cait became Cait, karaoke with Lotte. The latter came about in a slightly cringeworthy manner - requested by a rather exaltated 12 year old that popped up in every session asking for tips “how to be an actress - not just any actress - a great actress” - an actual quote…I’m all for empowering young ladies but she was a bit much :D. But Cait and Lotte were good sports.

I chuckled when Cait complained that in all sessions with Sam the lights are set to his much darker skin tone and she ends up being burnt out white with no definition…jeez I wish I looked so good with 'no definition’ ;P

But most of all - the Cait’s fan girl that I am - the biggest pleasure was to see her truly be the star and focus of the show. With some minor unfortunate exceptions it was about her and her work ( exceptions = people feeling compelled to talk to her about Sam or taking pictures with Sam at other con….like come on I sooooooooo understand the connection here, wink, wink, but at q&a talk to her about HER not her co-star) She was funny, she was cool, always engaging and switched on, in control but kind when needed! ….Ok ok if u needed convincing about my fangirling.

And to close this ramble, on organisational note. Compared to ECCC, this con had much more human scale, was more relaxed ( and costs of photos and meet-ups were much more bearable) and offered in a sense much closer contact with actors - even if it came across much less 'professional’. There were just a couple of discreet security people and NO entourage in sight ( on a side note ;)

They are already planning Highlanders 3 so I’d say watch out for it - it may well be worth going. Well, unless they decide to use the same venue in Blackpool….