Comedian and ventriloquist Nina Conti has revealed that the full-sized monkey costume featured in her film Sunlight was created by the same team responsible for Chewbacca in the Star Wars films.
Speaking to Toby Tarrant, who was sitting in on The Chris Moyles Show on Radio X, Nina opened up about her long-running connection to her famous monkey character and how it eventually inspired her latest film project.
During the interview, Toby asked whether ventriloquists develop a deep emotional attachment to their characters and puppets after performing with them for many years.
Nina explained that after spending decades performing as her monkey alter ego, she found herself increasingly drawn to the character’s carefree personality.
She said: “I have entered into that character kind of headspace for 20 years or something, and that’s the liberated one. He’s uncensored, and that’s the fun place to be.”
The comedian joked that she became so invested in the monkey persona that she started wanting to leave her everyday self behind.
“I ended up wanting to discard me. I was like, ‘Well, I’m monkey!’ Like, ‘Nina, what a heavy, you know, just a load to carry. Let her go,'” she remembered.
That fascination led her to commission a life-sized monkey suit, and she turned to a very famous costume designer for help.
Nina revealed: “I got the Star Wars people to make me a full-sized monkey.”
The admission surprised Radio X newsreader Dominic Byrne, who asked if she was serious.
Nina confirmed the costume was created by Vanessa Bastyan, whose work includes helping bring the iconic Chewbacca character to life.
She said: “The lady who makes Chewbacca made an…”
Dominic replied: “Wow!”
Nina continued: “I got in him and started doing stand-up in him.”
The unusual experience eventually became the inspiration for her film Sunlight.
Nina explained: “And then I made my film off the back of that whole experience.”
When Dominic asked again whether the costume really had been made by Chewbacca’s creator, Nina replied: “Yeah. Vanessa Bastyan. She’s amazing!”