Tennant Returns to West End

Wednesday, 2 November 2016 - Reported by Marcus

David Tennant is to return to the London stage, appearing in a production of Patrick Marber’s play Don Juan in Soho.

The play, an updated version of the classic Molière comedy, will be staged at London's Wyndham’s theatre next spring.

Tennant's previous outing in the West End was also at Wyndham’s theatre when he starred in the 2011 production of Much Ado About Nothing, alongside Catherine Tate.

Don Juan in Soho originally premiered at the Donmar Warehouse theatre in London in 2006, when it starred Rhys Ifans as the lordly Don Juan.




FILTER: - David Tennant

The Essential Doctor Who 9 - Invasions of Earth

Tuesday, 1 November 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Panini have announced the latest in their ongoing Doctor Who Essentials series of special magazines:

The Essential Doctor Who 9 - Invasions of Earth (Credit: Doctor Who Magazine)The makers of Doctor Who Magazine continue their lavish series of bookazines with a 116-page issue celebrating some of the most memorable episodes in the series history.

Invasions of Earth includes interviews with:
Other highlights include a tribute to Nicholas Courtney, a look at Terry Nation’s original storyline for The Dalek Invasion of Earth, Jon Pertwee’s unmade story The Spare-Part People and much more.


Editor Marcus Hearn says:
Invasions of Earth have been central to Doctor Who since 1964. It was a big subject for us to tackle, but we’ve managed to cover almost every major era of the series with some fascinating articles and plenty of rare images. This is the story of our planet’s most epic battles!

The Essential Doctor Who: Invasions of Earth is on sale now at WH Smith and all good newsagents.





FILTER: - DWM - Magazines - Merchandise

Class - Episode Four - Co-Owner Of A Lonely Heart

Tuesday, 1 November 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The BBC have released a new set of pictures from the fourth episode of Class, Co-Owner Of A Lonely Heart.

The episode is released on BBC Three next Saturday, after which it will be released around the world. Full Details
Class Episode Four - Co-Owner Of A Lonely Heart

April starts to feel effects of sharing her heart with Corakinus, and his attempts to sever the attachment only make it stronger.
When April's estranged father makes a startling appearance she confronts him with Shadow Kin force, manifesting traits of the Shadow Kin leader.
Frightened by this extraordinary new-found power, April seeks comfort in Ram, and vows to reclaim her heart as her own. Meanwhile, something strange is happening to the others - London is slowly being infested with unusual, sinister flower petals.
Class - Ep4 - Co-Owner Of A Lonely Heart - April (SOPHIE HOPKINS) (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgeway)Class - Ep4 - Co-Owner Of A Lonely Heart - Jackie (SHANNON MURRAY), April (SOPHIE HOPKINS) (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgeway)Class - Ep4 - Co-Owner Of A Lonely Heart - Huw (CON O'NEIL) (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgeway)Class - Ep4 - Co-Owner Of A Lonely Heart (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgeway)Class - Ep4 - Co-Owner Of A Lonely Heart - Ram (FADY ELSAYED), April (SOPHIE HOPKINS) (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgeway)Class - Ep4 - Co-Owner Of A Lonely Heart - Ram (FADY ELSAYED), April (SOPHIE HOPKINS) (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgeway)Class - Ep4 - Co-Owner Of A Lonely Heart - Ram (FADY ELSAYED), April (SOPHIE HOPKINS) (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgeway)Class - Ep4 - Co-Owner Of A Lonely Heart - Ram (FADY ELSAYED), April (SOPHIE HOPKINS) (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgeway)Class - Ep4 - Co-Owner Of A Lonely Heart - Ram (FADY ELSAYED), April (SOPHIE HOPKINS) (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgeway)Class - Ep4 - Co-Owner Of A Lonely Heart - Jackie (SHANNON MURRAY), Huw (CON O'NEIL) (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgeway)Class - Ep4 - Co-Owner Of A Lonely Heart - Jackie (SHANNON MURRAY), Huw (CON O'NEIL) (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgeway)Class - Ep4 - Co-Owner Of A Lonely Heart - Dorothea (POOKY QUESNEL), Miss Quill (KATHERINE KELLY) (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgeway)Class - Ep4 - Co-Owner Of A Lonely Heart - Dorothea (POOKY QUESNEL) (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgeway)Class - Ep4 - Co-Owner Of A Lonely Heart - Tanya (VIVIAN OPARAH), Matteusz (JORDAN RENZO) (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgeway)Class - Ep4 - Co-Owner Of A Lonely Heart - Charlie (GREG AUSTIN), Matteusz (JORDAN RENZO), Tanya (VIVIAN OPARAH) (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgeway)Class - Ep4 - Co-Owner Of A Lonely Heart - April (SOPHIE HOPKINS) (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgeway)Class - Ep4 - Co-Owner Of A Lonely Heart - Ram (FADY ELSAYED), April (SOPHIE HOPKINS) (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgeway)Class - Ep4 - Co-Owner Of A Lonely Heart - Ram (FADY ELSAYED), April (SOPHIE HOPKINS) (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgeway)Class - Ep4 - Co-Owner Of A Lonely Heart - April (SOPHIE HOPKINS) (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgeway)Class - Ep4 - Co-Owner Of A Lonely Heart - April (SOPHIE HOPKINS) (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgeway)Class - Ep4 - Co-Owner Of A Lonely Heart - April (SOPHIE HOPKINS) (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgeway)Class - Ep4 - Co-Owner Of A Lonely Heart - Kharrus (KELLY GOUGH) (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgeway)Class - Ep4 - Co-Owner Of A Lonely Heart - Corikinus (PAUL MARK DAVIES), Kharrus (KELLY GOUGH) (Credit: BBC/Simon Ridgeway)Class - Ep4 - Co-Owner Of A Lonely Heart - Dorothea (POOKY QUESNEL) (Credit: BBC/Todd Antony)Class - Ep4 - Co-Owner Of A Lonely Heart - Dorothea (POOKY QUESNEL) (Credit: BBC/Todd Antony)Class - Ep4 - Co-Owner Of A Lonely Heart - Dorothea (POOKY QUESNEL) (Credit: BBC/Todd Antony)Class - Ep4 - Co-Owner Of A Lonely Heart - Dorothea (POOKY QUESNEL) (Credit: BBC/Todd Antony)




FILTER: - Class - Publicity

Regeneration - 50 Years On

Saturday, 29 October 2016 - Reported by Marcus
Moments in Time
It was fifty years ago today, on Saturday 29th October 1966, that we bid farewell to the First Doctor.

At exactly 50 minutes and 47 seconds past five, 7.5 million viewers tuned into BBC 1 to hear the theme music ring out and the last William Hartnell episode begin. 24 minutes later it was all over. We had a new Doctor.

William Hartnell had appeared in 127 episodes of Doctor Who, appearing in 29 stories. He would return to the series in 1972, in four episodes of The Three Doctors. To date only one actor, Tom Baker, has appeared in more Doctor Who episodes than Hartnell, whose episodes, if played sequentially, would last for 2 days. 8 hours and 1 minute.

Fifty years on, William Hartnell's influence is still felt in the series, and in the character he created. His final episode has been lost, but one sequence survives. It is perhaps the most important sequence in the series history. The regeneration. With that one scene, the programme's future was guaranteed. The series could outlive its creators. Its immortality was assured.





FILTER: - First Doctor - Moments in Time

The Power of the Daleks - Extra Material

Friday, 28 October 2016 - Reported by Marcus
The Power of the Daleks (Credit: BBC Worldwide)BBC Worldwide has confirmed the additional material that will be included on the release of the animated version of The Power of the Daleks.

This highly anticipated adventure will be released on BBC Store on Saturday 5th November, exactly 50 years to the minute after it was first transmitted on BBC One at 5.50pm. The UK release of the DVD will follow on Monday 21st November. A wealth of extra material will be available with both the BBC Store and DVD releases.

Extra treats fans can look forward to include commentaries and surviving footage, together with a documentary feature which stars the original cast and crew. Other bonus features include a gallery of artwork from the animation, and original shooting script. There’s even a rare chance to hear the original Dalek recordings from the show.

Power of the Daleks is one of the Doctor’s most celebrated adventures and yet no complete film recordings of The Power of the Daleks are known to have survived. The master negatives were destroyed in an archive purge in 1974.

The six 25 minute episodes feature the regeneration, or as it was then called ‘renewal’, of First Doctor William Hartnell into Second Doctor Patrick Troughton, as the Time Lord and his companions Polly (Anneke Wills) and Ben (Michael Craze) do battle with the Daleks on the planet Vulcan.

Animator Charles Norton says:
It’s been wonderful to have been able to track down so much rare and previously unreleased material and I hope that fans enjoy the excellent package we’ve been able to assemble.
Doctor Who: The Power of the Daleks will be priced at £9.99 SD and £12.99 HD from bbcstore.com from 5th November where each episode will air on consecutive days.

The DVD will be released in the UK on 21st November priced at £20.42

A full list of extras is here, and will be available on BBC Store from 14th November and on the DVD on the 21st;
  • Alternate soundtracks – DVD only
  • The option to listen to the story with a series of completely new digital re-masters of the original soundtrack – a stereo mix; a 5.1 surround sound mix and version of the original 1966 mono sound mix.
  • Animation Test Footage
  • A compilation of animation tests, created during the production of the new animated series.
  • Audio Commentaries on all 6 episodes – DVD only
  • Members of the original cast and crew are joined by members of the new animation unit to discuss the production of the story and its new animated reconstruction. Moderated by Toby Hadoke. Includes archive audio.
  • Booklet with Production Notes – DVD only
  • An extensively researched set of production notes, written by the noted television historian Andrew Pixley, covering the behind the scenes story of how the original production was made.
  • Original Camera Scripts – DVD only
  • Selected items of original production paperwork and a complete set of original camera scripts
  • Original Title Sequence - new restoration
  • An unedited presentation of the full original 'Doctor Who' title sequence, prepared using an all new HD re-master of the original film elements.
  • The Power of the Daleks Animation and Photo Gallery
  • An extended gallery of images, featuring production photographs from the original 1966 series and artwork from the latest animated production, accompanied by incidental music from the story, which has been digitally re-mastered from the original music production tapes.
  • The Power of the Daleks Surviving Footage & Original Trailer – BBC Store/EST only
  • A compilation of short film fragments and clips from the original 1966 BBC television production - the only surviving footage to remain of the show's original BBC1 run.
  • Original Dalek Voice Session Recording (1966) DVD only
  • Rare and previously unreleased sections from the studio recordings that were made at Maida Vale Studios in 1966 for the Dalek voices.
  • Servants and Masters - The Making of The Power of the Daleks
  • A specially prepared documentary directed by John Kelly and featuring interviews with members of the original 1966 cast and crew.
  • Telesnap reconstruction.
  • Around 400 individual still frames of film exist from the original 1966 television production of The Power of the Daleks. These images were kept in the programme's production files by the BBC Written Archive Centre. These images are here combined with the programme's soundtrack to present a photographic reconstruction of the original programme.
The Power of the Daleks (Credit: BBC Worldwide)The Power of the Daleks (Credit: BBC Worldwide)The Power of the Daleks (Credit: BBC Worldwide)




FILTER: - Blu-ray/DVD - Second Doctor

Original hardback novelisations to be re-published

Thursday, 27 October 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster
BBC Books are to re-publish the three original Doctor Who novelisations from the 1960s on 3rd November 2016, reproducing the hardback books with their original covers and content:

Doctor Who in an exciting adventure with the Daleks (Credit: BBC Books)Doctor Who in an exciting adventure with the Daleks
Written by David Whitaker, originally published in 1964
Published by BBC Books 3rd November 2016 [order from Amazon UK]
Based on the Doctor Who story The Daleks by Terry Nation


A thick fog and a girl in distress are just the things that Ian Chesterton needs to escape from a life of dull routine. He has no idea that this is merely a prelude to an adventure quite beyond any normal conception of the word. Or that Barnes Common on a foggy autumn night is the last view of Earth he may ever have.

Both he and the girl he tries to help, Barbara Wright, are transported to a distant planet named Skaro by a mysterious old man known to them as the Doctor. With his grand-daughter Susan, the Doctor sets them down in a world all but destroyed by atomic warfare, the only survivors being a peace-loving and cultured people called the Thals and their bitter enemies the Daleks, horribly mutated both in body and mind.

Thrust into constant danger, his courage and determination tested almost beyond endurance, Ian is forced to struggle against alien creatures and superior enemies with no other weapons than surprise and ingenuity.

The rewards of victory are life for Ian and his new friends...but life where? Can the Doctor return him and Barbara to Earth again?
Doctor Who and the Zarbi (Credit: BBC Books)Doctor Who and the Zarbi
Written by Bill Strutton, originally published in 1965
Published by BBC Books 3rd November 2016 [order from Amazon UK]
Based on the Doctor Who story The Web Planet


The Zarbi, huge ant-like creatures with metallic bodies and pincer claws, are waiting for Tardis when it’s police-box shape materialises on the cold and craggy planet Vortis. They capture Doctor Who, Ian and Vicki and take them to their weird headquarters, a city of web-like organic matter.

But the Zarbi are not the only being in Vortis. Barbara has fallen into the hands of the butterfly-creatures with soft voices and iridescent wings, whose civilisation has been destroyed by the Zarbi. She learns that her captors are only the advance party of Menoptera in exile who plan to win back their planet by and invasion form outerspace. For the Zarbi “have brought the dark age to Vortis”.

In the final thrilling chapters, Doctor Who and the crew of tardis encounter the power which controls both the Zarbi and the living Web City. How can they defeat this strange bladder of dazzling light which draws in and absorbs all who come into its presence?
Doctor Who and the Crusaders (Credit: BBC Books)Doctor Who and the Crusaders
Written by David Whitaker, originally published in 1965
Published by BBC Books 3rd November 2016 [order from Amazon UK]
Based on the Doctor Who story The Crusade


From unknown Space the Tardis returns to Earth, but not to the world Ian and Barbara know. The little blue telephone box has wheeled sharply in the cosmos and cut back through the pattern of history to the struggle between Richard the Lionheart and Saladin, Crusader v. Saracen.

When Barbara is captured by the Saracens and later kidnapped by the monstrous El Akir, Ian appeals to Richard for help, but despite having achieved a splendid victory over Saladin at Arsuf the English King has his own troubles and cannot assist him. So Ian sets out to rescue Barbara alone while the Doctor becomes involved in court intrigues. In a dramatic climax, Ian finds himself fighting for his life in the harsh, cruel world of the twelfth century, where only the cleverest and strongest survive.

Readers of Doctor Who’s adventure with the Daleks and Doctor Who and the Zarbi will find here all the excitement that made those books firm favourites with youngsters of all age groups.


Competition

To be in with a chance to win a set of the novelisations courtesy of BBC Books, simply answer the following question:
Susan is referred to by a different surname for the novelisation - what was that name?
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-crusaders@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "The originals, you might say". The competition is open to UK readers only, closing date 13th November 2016. Only one entry per household will be accepted.




FILTER: - BBC Books - Books - First Doctor - Merchandise

The Doctor Who Humble Comics Bundle

Thursday, 27 October 2016 - Reported by Marcus

Titan Comics and Humble Bundle have announced the launch of the Doctor Who Humble Comics Bundle.

Humble Bundle offers collections of videogames, books, and comics at a price determined by the customer. Content is divided into three tiers: pay $1 or more to purchase the first tier; pay $8 or more to purchase tier one and two; and pay $15 or more for content from all three tiers. A portion of each Humble Bundle sale goes to charity. Over $75 million has been donated to charities around the world since the company’s launch in 2010.

When purchasing the Doctor Who Humble Comics Bundle, in addition to furnishing your chosen digital device with an Doctor Who comics library, you’ll also be able to choose to donate any percentage of the Bundle’s retail price to BBC Children In Need, which currently supports over 2,400 projects to help disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.

The Doctor Who Humble Comics Bundle contains 70 Doctor Who comics, with appearances from the Third, Fourth, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Doctors, and stories from an array of comic writers, including Eisner Award-winning Nick Abadzis (Laika), Paul Cornell (The Severed Streets, Wolverine, Warcraft), Al Ewing (2000AD, The Ultimates), George Mann (Dark Souls, Warhammer 40,000), Robbie Morrison (Drowntown, Nikolai Dante), Cavan Scott (Star Wars: Adventures in Wild Space, Vikings), Gordon Rennie(2000AD, Dishonored), and Rob Williams (Suicide Squad, Unfollow); and artists, such as Elena Casagrande (The X-Files, Vigilante), Boo Cook (Elephantmen, 2000AD), Simon Fraser (Judge Dredd, Nikolai Dante), Daniel Indro (Green Hornet, Vikings), Christopher Jones (Avengers, Young Justice), Rachael Stott (Star Trek), Emma Vieceli (Jem and the Holograms, Young Avengers), and Brian Williamson(Spider-Man, The New Avengers).

To find out more and purchase visit the Humble Bumble Website.

The Doctor Who Humble Comic Bundle will be available for purchase from October 26, 2016 to November 9, 2016 at 11:00AM PST. Doctor Who is under license from BBC Worldwide North America.




FILTER: - Comics

Christmas Special - Sneak Peek

Wednesday, 26 October 2016 - Reported by Marcus
BBC America has released a short video previewing this year's Christmas Special, The Return of Doctor Mysterio.





FILTER: - Peter Capaldi - Series Specials - Steven Moffat

BBC Audio: Current Competitions

Tuesday, 25 October 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster
We have the following audiobooks available for readers to win, courtesy of BBC Audio; in order to be in with a chance to win simply email us with the answer to the question along with your name, country and where you heard about the competition. All competitions are open worldwide, with a closing date of 13th November 2016. Only one entry per household can be accepted.

Doctor Who and The Invasion Of Time (Credit: BBC Audio)
[order from Amazon UK]
The Invasion of Time, written by Terrance Dicks and read by John Leeson
A traitor to the Time Lords! Can the Doctor really be in league with the evil Vardans, spearheading a treacherous invasion of his home planet Gallifrey? Or is he playing a deadly double game, saving the Time Lords by appearing to betray them? Not even his closest friends can tell. Whilst the Doctor's companion Leela is cast into the wilderness of Outer Gallifrey, the Vardans themselves are mere pawns in a deadly tactical game. Soon the Doctor will face an old enemy as he battles to foil the invasion of Time.


Question: These days, which actor is more usually associated with embodying the Sontaran menace?
Send your answer to comp-invasionoftime@doctorwhonews.net with the subject line "Send in the clones".
Doctor Who: The Time Meddler (Credit: BBC Audio)
[order from Amazon UK]
The Time Meddler, written by Nigel Robinson and read by Peter Purves
When the TARDIS materialises on an apparently deserted Nothumbrian beach, Steven disputes the Doctor’s claim that they have travelled back to the eleventh century. The disovery of a modern wristwatch in a nearby forest merely reinforces his opinion. But it is 1066, the most important date in English history, and the Doctor’s arrival has not gone unnoticed. Observing the appearance of the TARDIS is a mysterious monk, who recognises the time-machine for what it is. He also knows that the Doctor poses a serious threat to his master plan – a plan which, if successful, could alter the future of the entire world...


Question: What was the difference between the Doctor's and the Monk's TARDIS?
Send your answer to comp-timemeddler@doctorwhonews.net with the subject line "The Vikings are Coming!".
Torchwood Tales (Credit: BBC Audio)
[order from Amazon UK]
Torchwood Tales
Eve Myles, Gareth David-Lloyd, Kai Owen and others read ten stories based on the hit BBC TV series. Written specially for audio, with additional sound design, the stories feature the original Torchwood line-up including Captain Jack, Gwen, Ianto, Owen and Toshiko, plus Rhys and PC Andy.


Question: One of the readers is 'alien' to the Torchwood universe - but which one?
Send your answer to comp-twtales@doctorwhonews.net with the subject line "Talking Hub-Bub".
Eleventh Doctor Tales (Credit: BBC Audio)
[order from Amazon UK]
Eleventh Doctor Tales
Matt Smith, Arthur Darvill and Meera Syal are among the readers of this exclusive collection of original audio adventures. Join the Eleventh Doctor on journeys in Time and Space.


Question: What is Meera Syal's connection to Doctor Who?
Send your answer to comp-11tales@doctorwhonews.net with the subject line "Still not ginger!".




FILTER: - Audio - BBC Audio - Competitions

New Eleventh Doctor Comic

Tuesday, 25 October 2016 - Reported by Marcus
This week sees Titan Comics release the latest Doctor Who comic featuring the Eleventh Doctor

ELEVENTH DOCTOR #2.14

Writer: Si Spurrier, Artist: Simon Fraser
Cover A: Alex Ronald, Cover B: Will Brooks Photo, Cover C: Simon Myers – Watercolor Variant

The year-long chase is reaching its final straight! Armed with revelations from the Time War, but challenged by resistance within his own ranks, the Doctor faces his most difficult hour yet as he battles to clear his name! Having plunged into the depths of darkness in his quest for the truth, can he re-emerge triumphant?
Doctor Who: ELEVENTH DOCTOR #2.14 (Titan)Doctor Who: ELEVENTH DOCTOR #2.14 (Titan)Doctor Who: ELEVENTH DOCTOR #2.14 (Titan)Doctor Who: ELEVENTH DOCTOR #2.14 (Titan)Doctor Who: ELEVENTH DOCTOR #2.14 (Titan)Doctor Who: ELEVENTH DOCTOR #2.14 (Titan)




FILTER: - Comics - Eleventh Doctor