Fantom Films are to release the autobiography of Jacqueline Pearce, who played Chessene in The Two Doctors but probably most recognisable as the elegant baddie Servalan in Blakes's 7! From Byfleet to the Bush will be published in both paperback and hardback formats, with a book launch event to take place on 11th March at the George IV Public House, Chiswick. More details can be found via their website.

From Byfleet to The Bush

The actress Jacqueline Pearce is best known to television audiences as the villainous Servalan from the fondly remembered Blake’s Seven (BBC 1978-1981). But her career has taken her from RADA to Hollywood, via starring roles in international comedy films, Hammer Horror, BBC Shakespeare, and London’s West End. So how did she end up living in the African bush with her belongings in black bin-bags? Find out with this gripping memoir of an extraordinary life – from Byfleet to the Bush.

Jacqueline’s motherless upbringing in suburban Byfleet was unconventional and her education at the hands of nuns left her emotionally scarred. Through the course of her erratic career, she found love, laughter, heartache, breakdowns, fame, obscurity, and sex drugs and rock and roll. On the way, she encountered such stars as Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, Sammy Davis Jr, Jerry Lewis, Alan Bates, John Hurt, Dervla Kirwan and Rupert Penry-Jones. Candid, vivid, mordant and funny, this is an unusual and enchanting memoir.

Also out in March is a book written by Valentine Palmer, best known in Doctor Who circles as the rebel Monia in Day of the Daleks. In TITANIC: The Strange Case of Great Uncle Bertie, the actor, producer and screenwriter sets out to write the definite account of the Titanic’s sinking. As the 100th anniversary of that terrible day approaches Palmer follows up innumerable conflicting stories and theories that still, to this day, surround the doomed liner... with a new unique perspective through the eyes of Valentine's family and Charles Lightroller – his great uncle, the highest ranking officer to survive the sinking.

Deborah Watling's autobiography, Daddy's Girl is to have an audio release this month, with the actress herself recounting her memoirs.

Google+

Tweet

As the bicentenary of Charles Dickens' birth on 7th February approaches, Simon Callow is touring to promote his new book about the author - Charles Dickens and the Great Theatre of the World. In an interview with the Yorkshire Post, Callow, who has played Dickens on stage and in Doctor Who, said: "I've been working very closely with the life of Dickens in one way or another for the past 15 years and I felt I had something different to say. I wanted to explore the notion of Charles Dickens as a performer and the conscious degree to which he was supremely confident as a performer. He could talk to the public and speak about his books in a way that would captivate audiences." Barnsley, Bromsgrove, Canterbury, Coventry, London, Loughborough, Maidenhead, Milton Keynes, Oxford, Street, Taunton, Portsmouth, and Winchester are places where Callow is appearing, with a number of venues sold out. [Yorkshire Post, 31 Jan 2012]

Noel Clarke spoke to London 360 about his casting in the next installment of the Star Trek juggernaut: "It was just an audition like all the others, really. You kind of just do your lines and see what happens, and then luckily this time I got the job. They didn't test me on my (Star Trek) knowledge, it was just a standard audition! I think it’s just one of those things where it’s another sort of level of accomplishment where you’ve done another job that is bigger than the ones you’ve done before - all of that stuff helps in your career so hopefully it will just help me in mine." [London 360 on YouTube, 27 Jan 2012]

Jean Marsh has spoken of the serious health scares she suffered late last year and how she resolved to overcome them. In a Guardian feature highlighting the forthcoming new series of Upstairs, Downstairs on BBC One, the actress and co-creator of the show, in which she plays Rose Buck, said: "I was absolutely determined [to get back]. Three weeks after the first episode I had a stroke and a heart attack, and in three weeks I'd thrown myself out of the hospital. I said I will be all right and the main doctor said, 'All right, you can work again. But you can only work four hours a day.' And I said: 'Terrific!'" The six-part series, also starring Alex Kingston, Anne Reid and Sarah Lancashire, is currently scheduled to start on Sunday 19th February. [The Guardian, 31 Jan 2012]

Some more details have been released on Marsh's co-star in the new series, Alex Kingston; the Doctor Who star is playing Dr Blanche Mottershead, who arrives at the house alongside novelist and lover Lady Portia Alresford (played by Emilia Fox). Writer Heidi Thomas said: "I really don't want to give the game away because it lets you know things about the characters in the show ahead of time and I think it will spoil it for the audience. The pair certainly bring a whiff of scandal. They've been living abroad and now arrive in London. They try to be covert about their life. The series is set in 1938, where life was far less sexualised. When it gets exposed, though, they find a surprising ally." [Radio Times, 31 Jan 2012]

Felicity Jones, who played the titular Unicorn (aka Robina Redmond) in The Unicorn and the Wasp, has been tipped for film stardom in the United States by Vanity Fair. She is among the 11 leading ladies featured by the magazine in its Hollywood edition out this month. Carey Mulligan was among those included in its 2010 Hollywood issue. [BBC News, 1 Feb 2012]

Laura Pulver, recently seen as Irene Adler in Sherlock, spoke about her chances of appearing in Steven Moffatt's other interest: "We haven’t spoken about Doctor Who at all. I think they are very separate entities for Steven, and I think he puts on very different hats, but I love working with him, and if we found another project to work together on whether it is Doctor Who or another season of Sherlock, then I’m sure we’d want to work together again." [Assignment X, 30 Jan 2012]

Google+

Tweet

The Doctor Who Experience have announced a new item of merchandise, now available from their shop:

Kid's Cyberman Hoody

SCARE your friends by impersonating one of the Doctor's most persistent enemies with this exclusive Doctor Who Experience hoody! Available in cotton-rich light grey and featuring the iconic Cyberman face imprinted on a breathable mesh sewn into the hood, this limited-run hoody sports the Doctor Who Experience logo on the left chest and incorporates a clever 'hidden' full-length front zip to complement the design. The mesh face even allows the wearer to see out whilst wearing it, so unlike the Daleks your vision won't be impaired!

The Cyberman hoody is machine washable and available in the following sizes:

Small – up to 26" Chest
Medium - up to 28" Chest
Large – up to 32" Chest

Related Articles: February activities (30 Jan 2012)

Google+

Tweet

BBC Worldwide have announced a few more of the guests due to appear at the Official Doctor Who Convention in March.

Mark Sheppard, who featured in last year's series as Canton in The Impossible Astronaut and Day of the Moon, will be at the event; he is joined by another familiar face from the last two series in the form of Ian McNeice, who played the Doctor's good friend Winston Churchill in a number of stories (notably Victory of the Daleks and The Wedding of River Song). Also appearing will be Raquel Cassidy, who played Cleaves in the two-part The Rebel Flesh/The Almost People.

Mark Sheppard said of being invited as a guest:

I grew up watching Doctor Who, and the fans are a huge part of what really makes the show so very special. I can't wait to come back to Cardiff for this unprecedented behind-the-scenes event - a unique chance for fans to meet the amazing people responsible for so much of the show we all love and get to experience their talent and creativity in a totally new way.

The three actors join the previously announced headliners Matt Smith and Arthur Darvill, alongside Stuart Milligan (President Nixon, The Impossible Astronaut/Day of the Moon) and Simon Fisher-Becker (Dorium, The Pandorica Opens/A Good Man Goes To War/The Wedding of River Song). Also, as well as the guests recognisable from in front of the camera, the line-up will include Nicholas Briggs - otherwise known as the voice of the Daleks, Cybermen and Judoon amongst many others - and Barnaby Edwards ("chief" Dalek operator).

From behind the scenes, Millennium FX's Neill Gorton has been announced, who joins the extensive behind-the-scenes crew that will be involved in many of the convention's activities, including special effects and pyrotechnic demonstrations, prosthetic masterclasses and Q&A sessions.

Previously announced production personnel of course includes the show's lead writer and convention headliner Steven Moffat, with Marcus Wilson (producer), Stephen Pehrsson (director of photography), Michael Pickwoad (production designer), Caroline Henry and Gary Russell (script editors), Andy Pryor (casting director), Danny Hargreaves (special effects supervisor), and Tom MacRae (writer).

Related Articles: Tour the TARDIS! (29 Jan 2012); Update (21 Dec 2011)

Google+

Tweet

Though voted the most stylish man in September, Matt Smith didn't quite make the grade for being the best-dressed in the latest poll results from GQ readers; the actor came in at third place, behind footballer Mario Balotelli and rapper Tinie Tempah. [GQ, 30 Jan 2012]

David Tennant was named best actor at the inaugural BBC Audio Drama Awards, which he also hosted. He won the honour for his portrayal of Franz Kafka in the Radio 3 play Kafka: The Musical, which was written and scored by Murray Gold. Also at the event, Stephen Wyatt won the Tinniswood Award for the Radio 4 Afternoon Play Gerontius. Despite being nominated for the best actress award for the role of Margaret Rutherford in the Radio 4 play A Monstrous Vitality, June Whitfield lost out to Rosie Cavaliero. [BBC News, 29 Jan 2012]

Sophie Aldred has joined the ranks of the Twitterati! In her first tweet she joked: "With my arm twisted behind my back, I have been forced to sign up to Twitter by @notdangle, @scott_handcock, and @robbfrank at @bigfinish." People can follow her here.

Meanwhile, Tree Fu Tom - a new CBeebies animated fantasy action adventure series featuring the voices of Tennant and Aldred - will receive its premiere at the BBC Children's Television 10th Anniversary event at the Salford MediaCityUK Studios on 18th February. [TennantNews, 27 Jan 2012]

Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss are scheduled to appear at the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival in August, presenting a Sherlock Masterclass alongside the show's producer Sue Vertue. (Vertue is married to Moffat - they first met at the 1996 Television Festival!)

Related Articles: Roundup (29 Jan 2012); Roundup (12 Jan 2012)

Google+

Tweet

The Doctor Who Experience is to host a number of special activities in the run up to its closure in London next month:

• Saturday 11th February: Doctor Who choreographer Ailsa Berk will be running one of her semi-regular monster lessons, where visitors will be able to learn how to move like a monster, such as a Judoon Trooper or a Cyberman.
• Monday 13th February: Millennium FX demonstrate their sculpture techniques, illustrating the design of some of the show's iconic characters.
• Wednesday 15th February: the Cybermen and the Ood will be at the Experience to terrify all those who dare enter!
• Thursday 16th February: the Doctor Who make-up team will be on hand to transform visitors into a Silurian, Cyberman, Clockwork Droid or Weeping Angel.
• Friday 17th February: Millennium FX present drawing demonstrations behind some of the show's iconic characters.

The Experience finally comes to a close on Wednesday 22nd February, "where fans get the chance to bid a final farewell to the Doctor and some of the most recent monsters from the series," before re-opening in Cardiff Bay later in the year.

Related Articles: Experience to stay until February (7 Oct 2011); Experience Workshops (10 Aug 2011)

---

Update: Last Minute are offering a number of two-for-one deals to the exhibition: visit their website for more details.

Google+

Tweet

Arthur Darvill stars in a new three-part radio dramatisation of Gulliver's Travels, by Jonathan Swift. The Radio 4 series, which will feature all four of Gulliver's voyages, starts on Sunday 5th February at 3pm. Also appearing in the adaptation are Matthew Gravelle, Richard Nichols, Claire Cage, and Ewan Bailey.

Eve Myles is returning to the stage in the play All New People, by and co-starring Zach Braff. It will be at the Manchester Opera House from 8th to 11th February, the King's Theatre, Glasgow, from 14th to 18th February, and the Duke of York's Theatre, London, from 22nd February to 28th April. Meanwhile, in an interview with Cultbox, she told of her hopes that Torchwood will be back in some form or another. "Nothing's going to happen in 2012, I know that much for sure. But who knows what will happen in 2013? Maybe a movie, to kinda draw a line under it. We've got such an outstanding loyal fan base. They deserve Torchwood to go ahead with something else to draw a line under it, for the fans to have a bit of closure," she said. Myles's previous stage appearance was some six and a half years ago at the National in Henry IV with Michael Gambon.

John Barrowman is a guest on the final edition of the current series of Channel 4's topical entertainment show Chris Moyles' Quiz Night on Friday 3rd February. It airs at 10.30pm - half an hour after the end of the episode of the BBC One series Hustle in which he also appears, as previously reported by this site.

Sylvester McCoy lends his vocal talents to a new release from The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing; the actor has provided a spoken introduction to the album This May Be The Reason Why The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing Cannot Be Killed by Conventional Weapons, setting the tone for "the parallel Victorian past imagined on the eleven tracks". [Alison Bateman/Work Hard PR]

Nicolas Winding Refn, director of the movie Drive, commented: I would have loved to direct Doctor Who but they didn’t want me — they turned me down last year. Maybe if they revive Blake’s 7 I could do that. I love it. It’s great. That could be fun to update. [Shortlist, 27 Jan 2012]

Russell T Davies (writing the new children's series Aliens vs Wizards) comments on television output for children: "I am passionate about children's television, but it is, as ever, an endangered species, under threat. The most shocking thing I have seen is that, apparently unnoticed, five years ago ITV dropped children's programmes. There is now the complete absence of children's programmes made by ITV on CITV. It is amazing to me, when I contrast it with all those people who were furious about cuts to BBC local radio, and they were immediately reversed. I am also amazed that people don't recognise the talent, genius, of children's writers, for example, Andrew Davenport. The creator behind Teletubbies and In the Night Garden is up there, in my opinion, with Tom Stoppard, Samuel Beckett, but no one puts him there. It's the same with Jacqueline Wilson, whose books have led to the wonderful Tracy Beaker dramas." [Guardian, 28 Jan 2012]

Writer Rob Shearman will be interviewed at the Writers and Readers Week in Wellington, New Zealand on 12th March, which forms part of the International Arts Festival. Organiser Anne Chamberlain said: "He wrote the Dr Who episode that re-introduced the Daleks. So, we're screening that episode and then we're going to have Robert talk. That will draw a completely different audience, I suspect, to the usual Writers and Readers audience." [Stuff, 26 Jan 2012]

Mark Sheppard (Canton, The Impossible Astronaut/Day of the Moon) is due to present the Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular in Melbourne, Australia next weekend; speaking on the music, the actor said: "I've been connected with several shows that have had fabulous incidental music as well as score, and it's such an important part of the package as a whole. You watch a show like Doctor Who without music and there's a big difference. And what's amazing is when you isolate the music and hear it performed, it's even grander. It adds another dimension." [Herald Sun, 30 Jan 2012]

A trailer for the new David Tennant film The Decoy Bride has now been released; the film goes on release from 9th March. [IFC Films]

Google+

Tweet

Ticket holders for the Official Doctor Who Convention are to be given the opportunity to visit the existing TARDIS set at its (current) home at Upper Boat Studios:

An exclusive opportunity has arisen for Doctor Who Convention attendees to visit the TARDIS set at the BBC Wales studios, home of the Eleventh Doctor’s TARDIS.

On the tour, visitors will step into the Eleventh Doctor’s TARDIS and explore the set where some of the show’s iconic scenes have been shot. Members of the behind-the-scenes team will be on hand to explain the inner workings of the TARDIS, talk about the set and answer questions from fans.

Due to the earthly limitations of time and space, places on this free tour are limited so fans will need to book soon to be sure of a chance to visit.

There are six tours, running on Monday 26th March, the day after the convention weekend, and will be limited to sixty places per tour. The studio visit lasts for around an hour.

For more details visit the convention website.

Related Articles: Convention Update (21 Dec 2011)

Google+

Tweet

This weekend sees recording begin on a special adventure for the Seventh Doctor and Ace, as played by Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred; the two are joined by Lisa Bowerman, who reprises her character Professor Bernice Summerfield in her first ever adventure, Love and War!

Originally written as a novel by Paul Cornell in 1992 as part of Virgin's New Adventures range, this adaptation is by Jacqueline Rayner and is being recorded to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the character, whose own association with Big Finish can be traced back to their premier release in 1998 of Oh No It Isn't! (also by Cornell).

Love and War is due to be released on its anniversary in October.

(with thanks to David Richardson)

Google+

Tweet

The British Science Fiction Association have announced the shortlist for their 2011 Awards, with voting now open for members.

• The Best Non Fiction award nominations include The Unsilent Library: Adventures in new Doctor Who, a collection of essays that "examine the storytelling style and techniques of the first five years of the New Doctor Who, and explore how its writers have updated a series with a history stretching back five decades to stand in the forefront of contemporary science fiction drama."
• Regular Doctor Who writer Paul Cornell has also been nominated in the Best Short Fiction category for The Copenhagen Interpretation, published in Asimov's in July.

The winners will be revealed at the Award Ceremony, taking place at the 2012 Eastercon at the Radisson Edwardian Hotel, Heathrow, between the 6th-9th April.

Related Articles: BSFA Apology to Moffat (7 Sep 2011); Paul Cornell at London event (17 Jan 2007)

Google+

Tweet

United Kingdom

The Nottingham Philharmonic Orchestra is presenting Best Of British: A New Year Family Concert on the 28th January at Nottingham's Royal Concert Hall. One of the pieces to be performed is the Doctor Who theme tune, with Daleks expected to turn up for the event! [Belper News, 23 Jan 2012]

Peterlee resident Paul Bianco appeared on the ITV1 show Dickinson's Real Deal (broadcast 24th January), bringing along two original pieces of artwork from the 1964 (Lair of the Zarbi Supremo) and 1975 (The House That Jack Built) Doctor Who annuals. Originally bought for £18 some thirty years before, the model maker was persuaded to sell the items to auctioneer Janice Kehoe for £360, having been informed the evaluation had estimated them at £300. However, the items were eventually sold at auction by Janice herself for £500!

United States

A new sci-fi exhibition for the Experience Music Project's 2012 season in Seattle opens in June; Icons of Science Fiction will include items like Captain Kirk's command chair from Star Trek and an Imperial Dalek! EMP spokeswoman Anita Woo said: "I've been learning about this Dalek, everyone is so excited that Dr. Who is now on my Netflix queue." [Seattle Times, 19 Jan 2012]

Reporting from the Arisia sci-fi/gaming convention in Boston, Bob Chipman observed that some confusion existed amongst the 'civilians' at the hotel: "Yeah, Harry? I'll have those figures over in just a sec. Hey, while I've got you here, do you have any idea what a 'Dalek' is? Cause there's one here and I'm not sure how I should react to that." [The Escapist, 20 Jan 2012]

Google+

Tweet

The DVD releases of Nightmare of Eden, Dragonfire and The Happiness Patrol have been cleared by the British Board of Film Classification.

Extras for all three stories were also cleared, with the details as below.

Nightmare of Eden will have the following extras:

THE DOCTOR'S STRANGE LOVE: NIGHTMARE OF EDEN (15:41:12)
THE NIGHTMARE OF TV CENTRE (13:22:03)
ASK ASPEL (11:01:05 )
GOING SOLO - BOB BAKER REMEMBERS NIGHTMARE OF EDEN (07:42:23)
PHOTO GALLERY (05:47:00)

Dragonfire's extras comprise:

FIRE AND ICE - THE MAKING OF DRAGONFIRE (35:04:23)
THE DOCTOR'S STRANGE LOVE - DRAGONFIRE (15:40:14)
THE BIG BANG THEORY (12:31:19)
DELETED AND EXTENDED SCENES (09:55:15)
PHOTO GALLERY (04:46:06)

while those for The Happiness Patrol are:

WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE (46:03:04)
HAPPINESS WILL PREVAIL (23:44:08)
DELETED AND EXTENDED SCENES (23:18:03)
PHOTO GALLERY (05:46:01)

Release dates for the DVDs have yet to be confirmed. A trailer for Dragonfire that was cleared on 18th January states that the story will form part of The Ace Box.

(with thanks to Dave Ashby)

Google+

Tweet

The North American magazine Doctor Who Insider has ceased publication, with Issue 9 being the last to be produced.

Kirsty Syson from Panini Email Customer Services said:

I am sorry to advise you that Dr Who Insider has ceased publication effective from Issue 9. Please be assured letters are on the way to our subscribers explaining this matter and offering either a refund or transfer to Dr Who magazine. Once again I apologise for any inconvenience and disappointment caused in this matter.

The magazine was launched by Panini last year to complement Doctor Who Magazine, focussing on Doctor Who in the USA and Canada in collaboration with BBC Worldwide and BBC America.

(with thanks to Darren Allen)

Related Articles: April Launch (4 Feb 2011), Issue 9 (1 Dec 2011)

Google+

Tweet

Matt Smith and Karen Gillan both triumphed at the National television Awards held Wednesday night at London's O2 Arena.

Matt Smith beat Torchwood star John Barrowman, Doc Martin and Snakedance star Martin Clunes and David Threlfall of Shameless, to win the award for Outstanding Drama Performance (Male) in the awards voted for by the British public. Both Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant have previously won the award for their performance of the Doctor.

Speaking after receiving his award Matt Smith gave some clue to the future telling Radio Times that he has one more year of Doctor Who left and then he was going to try his luck in Hollywood. Although he later told the BBC Entertainment News Team he has no plans to leave.

Karen Gillan won her award for Outstanding Drama Performance (Female) over Torchwood's Eve Myles, Suranne Jones from Scott & Bailey and who also stared in The Doctor's Wife last year, and Jaye Jacobs from Waterloo Road. She becomes the first Who companion since Billie Piper to win a National Television Award, both Freema Agyeman and Catherine Tate both received nominations.

Doctor Who lost out in the main award for Most Popular Drama which was won by ITV's Downton Abbey

Related Articles: Doctor Who loses out at NTA Awards (26 Jan 2011);National Television Awards - series and Tennant triumph (20 Jan 2010);Tennant, Who Win National Television Awards (29 Oct 2008);Doctor Who wins two NTAs (31 Oct 2007);Tennant, Who Win National Television Awards (29 Oct 2008);National TV Awards: Huge Win for Doctor Who (25 Oct 2005)

Google+

Tweet

Russell T Davies and Phil Ford are bringing new action adventure drama Aliens Vs Wizards to children's TV this autumn. The series will comprise 12 episodes of 30 minutes each and centre on two 16-year-old schoolboys, Tom and Benny, and an alien race entitled the Nekross. Davies said: "Writing for children is the biggest challenge of all and I think CBBC stands right at the heart of broadcasting. So I'm delighted to launch this show, a true nationwide collaboration - a Salford commission from a BBC Wales team. We're joining genres too - the show's a wild, funny, thrilling and sometimes scary collision of magic and science fiction." The show will be produced for CBBC by BBC Cymru Wales with FremantleMedia Enterprises. The executive producers are Davies, Bethan Jones and Gina Cronk for the BBC and Bob Higgins and Sander Schwartz for FME. The producer is Brian Minchin, while Ford will co-produce. [BBC Media Centre, 23 Jan 2012], [BBC News, 23 Jan 2012]

It was back to school for new series writer Tom MacRae when he received a request to help children develop their creativity. He visited his alma mater near Daventry, Northamptonshire, after an invitation by two pupils at Weedon Bec Primary. MacRae revealed how, during an assembly while there as a child, he came up with the idea of a magnifying glass that could see through time - a concept he went on to use in The Girl Who Waited. MacRae, who also took some Doctor Who props with him to show the pupils, said: "I have used quite a few playground games and school daydreams in shows, particularly programmes that have a magic element to them. The Girl Who Waited has probably done more to boost my career than anything else I've done. I owe the huge boost it gave me to the idea I had when I was six years old." [BBC News, 23 Jan 2012]

Sheridan Smith, who played Eighth Doctor companion Lucie Miller for Big Finish, has won the Critics' Circle Best Actress award for her portrayal of Doris Skriczevinsky in the wartime drama Flare Path, by Terence Rattigan, at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, London - a role for which she previously received the 2011 Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress. [BBC News, 24 Jan 2012]

Arabella Weir (Billis in The Doctor, The Widow and the Wardrobe, as well as an alternative Doctor in the Big Finish audio adventure Exile) is among the star names taking part in this year's Let's Dance For Sport Relief, which starts on BBC One on Saturday 18th February. [BBC Media Centre, 25 Jan 2012]

Google+

Tweet