London Doctor Who meeting venue re-opens

Thursday, 1 December 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Jeremy Bentham has announced the return of regular Doctor Who fan meetings in central London:

THE FITROY TAVERN in Central London has reopened its doors to visitors following completion of a year-long, multi-million pound refurbishment that had seen Fitzrovia's most celebrated pub upgraded and restored to its original Victorian splendour.

Since 1984 'The Tavern' has played host to the regular First Thursday of each month evening gatherings of Doctor Who fans, keen to meet, exchange gossip, share or catch up on news and compare views on all things Who-related. In keeping with the area's reputation for attracting the famous, celebrated attendees of First Thursday gatherings have, down the years, included Douglas Adams, John Nathan-Turner, Terrance Dicks, Barry Lettrs, Nick Briggs, Steven Moffat and a good many faces from Doctor Who Magazine, past and present.

At ground level 'The Tavern' has now been divided into four separate bars, each with its own distinctive Victorian style. The Edwardian-styled upstairs is more spacious and likely to be the area most frequented by fans. This area also includes the dining area.

Located on the corner of Windmill Street and Charlotte Street, THE FITZROY TAVERN’s nearest Underground Station is Goodge Street on the Northern Line.

The next First Thursday gathering will take place on 1st December.

FILTER: - Fan Meetings - UK

New Poster Image Released

Thursday, 1 December 2016 - Reported by Marcus

The BBC has released a new poster image for the Christmas Special The Return of Doctor Mysterio

Nardole (MATT LUCAS), Lucy Fletcher (CHARITY WAKEFIELD), The Ghost (JUSTIN CHATWIN), The Doctor (PETER CAPALDI) (Credit: BBC / Ray Burmiston)

This Christmas sees the Doctor join forces with a masked Superhero for an epic New York adventure. With brain-swapping aliens poised to attack, the Doctor and Nardole link up with an investigative reporter and a mysterious figure known only as The Ghost. Can the Doctor save Manhattan? And what will be revealed when we see behind the mask?

Peter Capaldi stars as the Doctor, Matt Lucas (Bridesmaids, Little Britain) as Nardole, Justin Chatwin (Orphan Black, Shameless) as Grant and Charity Wakefield (Wolf Hall, The Player) as an investigative journalist.

The special is written by Steven Moffat, executive produced by Brian Minchin, produced by Peter Bennett and directed by Ed Bazalgette (Poldark). It was shot in Cardiff at BBC Wales Roath Lock Studios.

FILTER: - Publicity - Specials

Tom Baker meets the Vashta Nerada for Big Finish

Tuesday, 29 November 2016 - Reported by Marcus

Tom Baker /Pam Ferris (Credit: Big Finish )

The fourth doctor, in the form of Tom Baker, is to battle the Vashta Nerada in an new audio play from Big Finish.

The Fourth Doctor has joined the line-up for the new series Doctor Who: Classic Doctors, New Monsters, where he will be battle a foe that will one day fight his Tenth incarnation.

The new story, recorded on 16 November, finds the Doctor in a futuristic funfair on an alien world where he comes across the flesh eating shadows, created by Steven Moffat for the David Tennant story Silence in the Library.

Producer David Richardson said

Our first volume of Classic Doctors, New Monsters really captured the imaginations of our listeners. They loved the fusion of two different eras of the TV series. And I’m sure they are going to equally love John Dorney’s brilliant Night of the Vashta Nerada, in which the shadowy predators create mayhem in a story straight out of the Philip Hinchcliffe era.

With the Fourth Doctor travelling alone, director Barnaby Edwards has assembled a fine guest cast. Pam Ferris (Call the Midwife, Rosemary and Thyme) plays professional hunter Amanda Steele, Lorelei King (Doctor Who: A Town Called Mercy) is Georgia Donnelly, Emma Lowndes (Downton Abbey, Cranford) plays Phelan, Matt Devitt (Campus, Down to Earth) plays Bernnetto.

Doctor Who - Classic Doctors, New Monsters Volume 2 is out in 2017 and can be pre-ordered now at £20 on either Download or a CD set (which unlocks digital access).

FILTER: - Big Finish - Fourth Doctor

The Return of Doctor Mysterio UK broadcast time confirmed

Tuesday, 29 November 2016 - Reported by Marcus

Peter Capaldi (Credit: BBC / Ray Burmiston)

The BBC have confirmed that this year's Doctor Who Christmas Special, The Return of Doctor Mysterio will be broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on Christmas Day at 5:45pm.

BBC Synopsis:

This Christmas sees The Doctor join forces with a masked Superhero for an epic New York adventure.

With brain-swapping aliens poised to attack, the Doctor and Nardole link up with an investigative reporter and a mysterious figure known only as The Ghost. Can the Doctor save Manhattan? And what will be revealed when we see behind the mask?

Cast: Peter Capaldi (The Doctor), Matt Lucas (Nardole), Justin Chatwin (Grant), Charity Wakefield (Lucy), Tomiwa Edun (Mr Brock), Aleksandar Jovanovic (Dr Sim) and Logan Huffman.

The 60-minute Doctor Who Christmas Special is written by Steven Moffat, Executive Produced by Brian Minchin, Produced by Peter Bennett and Directed by Ed Bazalgette (Poldark). It was shot in Cardiff at BBC Wales Roath Lock.Studios.

The Return of Doctor Mysterio: known first broadcast details
United Kingdom	BBC One	Sun 25 Dec 2016	5:45pm GMT
Australia (online)	ABC iView	Mon 26 Dec 2016	5:45am AEDT	(6:45pm GMT)
United States of America	BBC America	Sun 25 Dec 2016	9:00pm EST tbc	(2:00am GMT)
Canada	SPACE	Sun 25 Dec 2016	9:00pm EST tbc	(2:00am GMT)
Australia	ABC	Mon 26 Dec 2016	7:30pm AEDT	(8:30am GMT) also on ABC ME
South Africa	BBC First	Wed 28 Dec 2016	8:00pm SAST tbc	(6:00pm GMT)

FILTER: - Big Finish - Fourth Doctor

Class Episode 8 - The Lost

Tuesday, 29 November 2016 - Reported by Marcus

The BBC have released a new set of pictures from the final episode of Class, The Lost.

The episode is released on BBC Three next Saturday, after which it will be released around the world. Full Details

Class Episode Eight - The Lost

Facing an impossible choice, our heroes must use all they’ve learnt to save Earth. But how far are they prepared to go? And will they have to pay a price?

Unable to recover from the truths they have faced, the gang has splintered. Liberated from enslavement, Quill prepares to take her revenge.But they must reunite when the Shadow Kin return, raging a ruthless, unrelenting war.

Resolute to claim April's heart and Charlie's weapon, Corakinus threatens to kill their families until he has what he desires - and the friends must fight to prevent him.

This time, not everyone will make it out alive.

FILTER: - Class - Publicity

Delia Derbyshire honoured in Coventry

Monday, 28 November 2016 - Reported by Marcus

Delia Derbyshire is to be honoured in her hometown of Coventry by having a road named after her.

The creation of Derbyshire Way will pay tribute to the musician, who will forever be remembered for her work in realising the original Doctor Who Theme Music, written in 1963 by Ron Grainer.

Delia Derbyshire is considered one of the most important and influential pioneers of electronic music in the United Kingdom, who inspired acts from The Beatles to The Chemical Brothers. Her contribution to Doctor Who came when she was working for the BBC Radiophonic Workshop and was asked to turn Grainer's score into an electronic theme for the new science fiction series. Aided by Dick Mills, Derbyshire created the iconic theme music by creating each note separately by cutting, splicing, speeding up, and slowing down recordings of a single plucked string, white noise, and the output of test-tone oscillators. The notes were then edited together on quarter-inch tape. Mixing was done by starting several tape machines simultaneously and mixing the outputs together.

Derbyshire, who died in 2001, will now give her name to Derbyshire Way, part of a new housing estate in the city of her birth. The recognition follows a campaign led by the Coventry Music Museum, which features a permanent display dedicated to her work.

Museum Director Pete Chambers spoke about her legacy

It's fitting as we bid for the City Of Culture 2021, that the bid does not ignore our music heritage, and that people from around the world know Delia was a Coventry legend, a woman who influenced The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Orbital, The Chemical Brothers and even Pink Floyd, indeed, she is considered by many to be the Mother of Progressive Rock.

I firmly believe that if she were alive today, Delia would have triple 'D' status – she would be Dame Delia Derbyshire. Sadly that will never happen, so it's wonderfully fitting that there is something in her native Coventry dedicated to this very special lady. Originally it was to be named Derbyshire Road, but I suggested 'Way' instead to give it a double meaning, as Delia was a genius and strong personality and really did do things in her own way.

The project was supported by councillors Linda Bigham and Gary Ridley who said

Delia Derbyshire produced sounds in the 1960s which were at least twenty years ahead of their time. A true pioneer of electronic music, she achieved this without the modern equipment that producers had in the 1980s and 1990s. Perhaps best known for the theme tune to Doctor Who, Delia will remain a national treasure and this is a fitting tribute to one of Coventry's most celebrated daughters.

Next May, the Coventry Music Museum will host a celebration of what would have been Derbyshire's 80th Birthday.

SOURCES: Midlands What's On

FILTER: - People

Ken Grieve 1942-2016

Sunday, 27 November 2016 - Reported by Marcus

The Television Director Ken Grieve has died at the age of 74

For Doctor Who Ken Grieve directed the first story of Season 17, Destiny of the Daleks, which saw the reintroduction of the Daleks to the series, after a gap of four years, and the return of Davros. It was the last script wirtten by Dalek creator Terry Nation, altough the story was heavily rewritten by Script Editor Douglas Adams.

Ken Grieve was born in Edinburgh in 1942.

After training as a cameraman, he moved into directing, working on episodes of the soap opera Coronation Street, with 42 episodes to his credit. He directed the location film footage of Manchester used in the Coronation Street opening titles used between 1976 and 1990, which included the first Corrie cat.

As well as Doctor Who his credits include The XYY Man, Buccaneer, Crown Court, Game, Set, and Match, Bergerac, Bugs, Peak Practice, The Bill and the Casualty episode Stormy Weather.

He taught at the National Film School and the Manchester Film School.

Kenneth Grieve died peacefully, on Tuesday, November 15 after a long illness. He is survived by his long-term partner Jane, his four children and three grandchildren.

FILTER: - Classic Series - Obituary

Class - Ratings Update

Sunday, 27 November 2016 - Reported by Marcus

Class Episode 7,The Metaphysical Engine, or What Quill Did, has now been released and can be viewed in the UK on the BBC iPlayer.

Barb have released their TV Player Report for the four weeks covering the release of episodes one and two of Class. The report, which is still in the beta stage, aims to give an estimation of the numbers of people who watch a given programme via a TV Player such as iPlayer. Class is only available in the UK on BBC Three, which is only available online.

The series has failed make the list of Top 50 on-demand programmes for the four weeks ending 13th November 2016, meaning that less than 185,000 viewers have accessed the first two episodes. The highest rated programme on BBC Three for the period, and the only one to make the top 50, was Sex, Drugs & Murder: Life in the Red Light Zone, which had 247,000 watching. The biggest online programme was Planet Earth II: Islands, which had 576,000 viewers.

It is expected that Class will be screened on one of the broadcast channels at some point, which will bring it to a much larger audience.

The final episode of the series will be released next Saturday.

Some additional Behind the Scenes pictures from the last three episodes of Class have also been released. The pictures contain spoilers from the episodes.

Brave-ish Heart

Class - Ep5 - Brave-ish Heart - Dorothea (POOKY QUESNEL) (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgeway)

Detained

The Metaphysical Engine, or What Quill Did

Class - Ep7 - The Metaphysical Engine, or What Quill Did - Miss Quill (KATHERINE KELLY) (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgeway)

Class - Ep7 - The Metaphysical Engine, or What Quill Did (Credit: BBC/Chris Lobina)

Class - Ep7 - The Metaphysical Engine, or What Quill Did - Dorothea (POOKY QUESNEL) (Credit: BBC/Chris Lobina)

FILTER: - Class - Publicity - Ratings - UK

Lethbridge-Stewart: The Wishing Bazaar

Friday, 25 November 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Candy Jar Books have announced their latest Lethbridge-Stewart e-book, free to subscribers and those pre-ordering the next novel in the range, Blood of Atlantis.

Lethbridge-Stewart: The Wishing Bazaar (Credit: Candy Jar Books)

Lethbridge-Stewart: The Wishing Bazaar
Written by Sharon Bidwell
Cover illustration by Richard Young

Back from New York, Lethbridge-Stewart is investigating one of the strangest cases that has come across his desk yet. Wishes are coming true, and if there’s one thing Lethbridge-Stewart still doesn’t believe in it’s magic. But what if he’s wrong?

This story is set between Times Squared and Blood of Atlantis.

The e-book is by author Sharon Bidwell, who as well as writing several novel under pen names Sharon Maria Bidwell and Sharon Kernow, also wrote three books in the Space: 1899 & Beyond series, one of which was co-authored with Lethbridge-Stewart range editor Andy Frankham-Allen, who said:

I first met Sharon via the wonderful world of social media back in, I think, 2009. I was very impressed with her work, and soon enlisted her for my Space: 1889 & Beyond series. Her work ethic was proven to me when a novella fell through at the last minute and she agreed to co-author a replacement with me – which we did, in only two weeks! Sharon’s first drafts are often better than a lot of published works out there, and from the off I told her that I would get her writing for the Lethbridge-Stewart series. She resisted for all of five minutes.

Sharon said:

I've written for and with Andy before with great success, so I was not entirely surprised when he got in contact about his latest project. For one thing, he'd been 'hinting' for some time that he wanted to rope me in and Andy isn't someone who understands no as an answer.Whenever I hear from Andy, I never know whether to cheer or groan. All those who write novels for well-known television shows now have my utmost respect. Some find it easy; for others the experience feels difficult and involves a lot of angst. I'm one of those worriers. Despite the responsibility, Andy has dragged me into incredible worlds and stories that are part of history and there's no way not to be grateful for that.Invariably the experience of writing for Lethbridge-Stewart was, for me, daunting, exciting, fun, and adventurous…a bit like the character himself.

Shaun Russell, head of publishing at Candy Jar, said:

Sharon was an unknown quantity for me, but I knew that Andy had worked with her before, so I was more than happy to see what she’d come up with. Having read her short story, and looked up her other work, I now believe she’s going to be a wonderful addition to our stable of authors on this series.

The cover of The Wishing Bazaar is by regular cover artist, Richard Young, who said:

I adore working with Candy Jar, and their cover briefs are always so specific, but this one was rather ambiguous as there were several elements that I could have used on the cover. I decided to concentrate on the alien of the piece.One passage of the story mentioned its burning eyes. Using a combination of traditional drawing and then colourisation in Photoshop (to really get the blazing eyes right), this is what I came up with.And I'm pleased to say everyone loved it.

The Wishing Bazaar will be sent out to every person who pre-orders Blood of Atlantis (Simon A Forward), which can be purchased individually or as part of the Series 3 Bundle (both UK and overseas), which includes the previous novel, Times Squared (Rick Cross), and the forthcoming novel, Mind of Stone (Iain McLaughlin), or the subscription deal for those wishing to get six books for the price of five.

Candy Jar is also pleased to announce that the subscription offer is now being extended to international customers. Please see their subscription page for more details.

Candy Jar is also offering a special promotion for its online customers: buy Blood of Atlantis for £8.99 and get Times Squared for £5. This promotion also applies to six other Candy Jar titles. Full details can be found via their website.

Competition

Candy Jar Books have kindly offered the chance for a readers to win a set of the series three books (Times Squared, Blood of Atlantis, Mind of Stone), the two books Connecting Who and Philip Martin's Gangsters, and also for one lucky person to win all five publications. To be in with a chance to win one of the prizes simply answer the following question:

Name the recurring character created by Philip Martin for Doctor Who on television.

Please send your answers along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-candyjar@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "Five Books Rapid!". The competition is open to UK readers only, closing date 11th December 2016. Only one entry per household will be accepted.

FILTER: - Books - Competitions - Lethbridge-Stewart - Merchandise

Warlord Games: Doctor Who minatures and game

Thursday, 24 November 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Warlord Games have released details on their new range of Doctor Who minatures and the game Into The Time Vortex:

Last year we announced that Warlord Games had secured the licence to produce a miniatures game based on the BBC’s enormously popular TV series, Doctor Who. Since then we’ve been tirelessly researching episodes both old and new, sculpting miniatures and working back and forth with the BBC to ensure the results are completely authentic.

Our licence covers not just the latest series of Doctor Who but encompasses all of the Doctors, their companions and their foes, spanning more than fifty years - so look out for long scarves and jelly babies as well as Sonic Sunglasses!

The first releases are now available, with lots more on the way. The models are high quality pewter castings, officially approved by the BBC. Our forthcoming range will also include plastic Daleks, Cybermen and UNIT troopers, as well as many more pewter figures.

ON RELEASE:

10th Doctor and Companions five figure pewter set
Consisting of: The 10th Doctor, Rose Tyler, Martha Jones, Donna Noble and Wilfred Mott
12th Doctor and Companions five figure pewter set
Consisting of: The 12th Doctor, Clara Oswald, Strax, Jenny and Madame Vastra
Judoon three figure pewter set
The Silence three figure pewter set
Zygon two figure pewter set

INTO THE TIME VORTEX - BOX GAME

Our first game, Into The time Vortex, will be released in early 2017 and will feature Daleks V Cybermen. The Doctor and his various companions all have a role in setting the scenario, objectives and the special rules for the game. Additional releases introduce many of the Doctor’s foes and allies, each with their own unique characteristics.

The gameplay allows for three different levels of play, ranging from the harsh environment of the Battle, through the world of the Adventure and finally allowing you to take part in an Episode. Each level of play has its own challenges, as dictated by eight scenarios that come with the game. The Doctor and his companions all have key roles in the scenarios and have their own rules that add to the experience. The rules booklets are simple to use. The basic game uses Battle cards that can be played to enhance your own plans or thwart those of your enemies. There are also clearly laid out Faction Recruitment cards that detail the forces being used, their individual weapons and abilities, plus generic and character specific Adventure cards that may be used to create more advanced versions of the game. In addition, a set of Event cards can be found in the box, providing the means to weld all the aspects of the game together and take part in the type of adventures that make the TV programme what it is.

Warlord Games: Cybermen figures (Credit: Warlord Games)

The initial release consists of everything you need to play, including specially created plastic miniatures of two of The Doctor’s iconic foes, the Daleks and the Cybermen. There are 12 ‘snap fit’ miniatures for each of these factions, plus the Cybermen sprue includes six Cybernates that can aid their larger brethren. Of course, no Doctor Who based game is complete without The Doctor himself, so you will also find a miniature of the 12th Doctor, ready to take part in the action.

One boxed set, three ways to play! But that’s not all, as there are a number of further releases planned which will add more miniatures, cards and opportunities to gain victory over your opponent. New factions, Companions and additional Doctors will become available over time, so the game can keep growing, as will your collection of finely crafted pewter and plastic heroes and villains.

More details can be found via the dedicated Doctor Who Into The Time Vortex website.

COMING SOON:

Cyberman ten figure pewter set. This release, to mark the 50th Anniversary of The Cybermen, will feature 10 key designs from over the years.
The Ninth Doctor and Companions pewter set
The Eleventh Doctor and Companions pewter set
Voyage of the Damned Pewter set
The Dominators pewter set
The Vervoids pewter set
The Ogrons pewter set
Cybermen plastic boxed set
Daleks plastic boxed set

Competition

To be in with a chance to win a set of the first five releases courtesy of Warlord Games, simply answer the following question:

Name the televised Doctor Who episode which featured an all-out battle between the Daleks and the Cybermen.

Please send your answers along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-warlordgames@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "Pest Control". The competition is open worldwide, closing date 11th December 2016. Only one entry per household will be accepted.

FILTER: - Competitions - Games - Merchandise

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