Roxann Dawson at Memorabilia

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Roxann Dawson, Please do not publish elsewhere without permission

Roxann Dawson at Memorabilia, Sandown Park, UK, April 1^st, 2000.

Please note that dialogue is from memory, so I am sure that it is not totally word for word. However, I think I have got the sense of what was said.

The venue was a short train journey out of London. From the station I trekked for some distance up the side of Sandown racetrack, anticipation building all the way. On arrival I was relieved to hear that the queues to get signatures were short, so I went off round the two main rooms of stalls first, intending to get something to be signed. I should say that it was the first event of its kind I had been to since a convention about 15 years ago. I was stunned by the number of stalls selling autographs. I ended up with several books, and the video of Barge of the Dead/Tinker, Tenor, Doctor, Spy. I had been told that it was not being released until the Monday after, so I was quite pleased with that. I was initially a bit disappointed that there seemed to be no-one in costume, but by the end of the day I had seen a few Klingons, and made a point of saying hello (and/or exchanging Klingon greetings) with them. I also saw the video advert for the AD2000 convention at the end of the month. It had Garrett Wang, in uniform as Harry Kim, outside his trailer, with clarinet, and included him doing excellent impersonations of other characters.

I chatted with a couple of people. Apparently not everyone had heard Jeri wasn't coming. (For anyone who doesn't know, she broke her ankle, and Roxann came as her replacement). One woman was kicking herself because she hadn't brought her Caretaker video. She already had Robert Beltran's autograph on it, and would have got Roxann's. But she hadn't brought it because Jeri wasn't on the original cast...

I also heard the bombshell that you had to pay to get signatures. Since the entry fee was quite low (£6), and it was obvious that signatures were a saleable item, I suppose it made some sense. I would rather have known in advance though. It turned out the deal was £15 for a black and white signed photo or £20 for a colour. I had hoped to get a few signatures for friends, but there was now no way my budget was going to stretch to that! There was also no way I was going to miss meeting Roxann. Having already looked once, and then gone off again for a while, I finally got up the courage to join the queue.

So, what's she like in real life? I wouldn't claim to have got to know her of course (!), but here are my impressions. Firstly, she is smaller than I expected. She looks quite delicate compared to how I see B'Elanna, but I think that is deceptive, as she is muscular. She also has a very cute nose, which I guess is partially obscured by the Klingon makeup. Her features are fine (someone said they thought she had lost weight, but whether she has, or it's just that the camera puts it on I don't know). Her hair was cut short; a style that I thought really suits her. She was wearing a red top, which showed off her figure and suited her colouration. She has an expressive face, seems to like talking and moves with energy. It's ironic, but I was actually reminded somewhat of the character of Kira Nerys. Small package, but filled with life.

The queue wasn't long and moved quite quickly. Many people were just saying their names, getting the signature and moving on. I thought that was a bit of a wasted opportunity, and re-affirmed my promise to myself to talk to her. Up ahead one person had a cast photo for her to sign: the one where the cast are all standing laughing, with Roxann on the end, bent double. She said she liked the photo, because of that. He asked her who had made everyone laugh. She said that she didn't remember, but she thought it was quite likely (points at, I think, Robert Picardo), since he has a dry sense of humour.

The guy in front of me asked if I would take a photo of him with her. I said yes, and asked if he would take one of me. He said yes, apparently someone had done the same favour for him at another event. I was very pleased, as I had regretted not having a camera! Then we were at the front. I put my bags down on a nearby chair, then, after he had got his picture signed, I took a picture of them (the picture a little further down is edited from the photograph). Then it was my turn. I gave her my (black and white!) photo to be signed, and then gathered my courage:

Me: Can I ask you a question?
Roxann: Sure!
Me: Um, serious question or non - serious question?
Roxann: (With a wary look) So, you have more than one question? But I get to choose...(With a smile) I guess you better try them both out!
Me: OK, serious question; how do you see the relationship between yourself and B'Elanna?
Roxann: (Thinks for a moment) She's cool. I like her.
(I think she's finished, so I go on to explain that I'm interested in the relationship between actors and the characters they play, but then she thinks of more to say).
Roxann: She has a kinda weird forehead, but that's just my opinion.
Me: (Gathering myself). OK. Non - serious question. Do you like Twinkies?
Roxann: (Does a silent snort that is very B'Elanna, and replies without hesitation, and with emphasis) No! I hate them! (Smiling now)

Roxann, please do not publish elsewhere without permission

After that I did explain that the Twinkie question was something that friends of mine on the Internet had been known to ask stars (See footnote). Then it was time to get my picture taken with her. We stood together, she put her hand round my shoulder, and I suddenly realised I had quite naturally put my arm round hers (which is probably one reason I look totally stunned in the resulting photograph!) It went through my mind that if I was in her place, I would probably hate having total strangers do that, but if she minded she didn't show it. It was just part of picture taking, nothing personal, very business like.

Of course then I spent a couple of minutes looking a total prat as I went through my bag writing my address for the guy with the camera and putting the signed photo away, before finally gathering my bags up. Roxann looked over from where she was talking with someone else and said bye as I got my shit together and left. I went straight to the café to restore myself with some food. I had a rather dry but very welcome cheese and pickle sandwich. Roxann was lovely: very friendly, down to earth and 'real'. She also seems to have a great, dry sense of humour (can't believe she was actually teasing me a bit...). Not at all the Hollywood 'star' type I was dreading she might be.

I did go back into the room later, having a look at the few stalls in there. It had been announced sometime before that Roxann would be leaving shortly, but she was still there, talking to a few last fans. She was however, wearing a little leather jacket and a small rucksack (yes, Roxann carries her own bag), so she was trying to make her way out! As she finally left, I smiled at her and she smiled back, though whether she recognised me from earlier, or she was just being polite, I don't know.

I took the opportunity to say hello to the other stars present, though I couldn't afford any more signatures. Ray Park, who plays Darth Maul in Star Wars, looks like he should be one of the Mitchell brothers on Eastenders, just an ordinary bloke. I also talked to Jerome Blake who plays Rune Liaako. A bit embarrassing as I haven't actually seen The Phantom Menace, so I had no idea who he was! Finally I talked to Robin Atkin-Downes, who among other things, played Byron in Babylon 5. I actually really liked that character (I think I have a bit of a thing for telepaths) so if I hadn't been so wrapped up in meeting Roxann, I think I would have been pretty pleased to meet him. He was very nice to me.

I get the impression that not everybody was too thrilled with the day. A lot of the stallholders were complaining that they hadn't made anything (I've run a craft stall in the past, so I talk to stallholders). The signing sessions were also quieter than I expected. I guess it shows something that by the end I was able to just walk up to the remaining stars and chat, because they were looking for people to sign for. I think they were pretty bored. Personally though I was on cloud nine. I had some good bargains, and I very much enjoyed meeting people (stars and otherwise).

Final bit of news: I picked up a flyer that says Jeri is coming to an event in May. So it looks like I may get the chance to meet her AS WELL as Roxann. I am well pleased!

A few updates:
Firstly, apparently Roxann is actually 5'5, which makes her my height, or only slightly less. I'd still describe her as small though, as she is certainly much narrower than me!
Jeri did not come to the advertised event. Apparently there were 'problems with the event' though Jeri was willing to come. I've got to say, I wasn't too impressed with their advertising, so I can't blame her.

Footnote: A Twinkie is an American filled cake bar apparently (and a bit of an in joke on the Sandrine's message board). The question was originally asked by andrewsfan/elegant imp to Julie Andrews, who said she does like them. I've never had one myself!

Photos:
1)Roxann Dawson as herself. (from the event. Yes that is my shoulder! Taken by Shaun). This image is copyright, please do not publish elsewhere without permission.
2)As B'Elanna Torres
3)B'Elanna, from Barge of the Dead
4)Roxann, from the same event. Shaun's shoulder this time! Photo taken by me...Again, please don't use without permission.
5)B'Elanna, from (I think) Extreme Risk
6)And...I found it! The cast photo mentioned in the report (thumbnailed). If you like it as much as I do, then go to a convention and buy the full, high quality, print version!

Links for other events:
Memorabilia
AD2000

Star Trek (R) is a registered trademark of Paramount Pictures registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Star Trek: Voyager is a trademark of Paramount Pictures.

Roxann Dawson at Memorabilia, Sandown Park, UK, April 1st, 2000.

Roxann Dawson at Memorabilia, Sandown Park, UK, April 1^st, 2000.