More tickets available for free-to-attend Series 8 launch party

Thursday, 7 August 2014 - Reported by John Bowman
More tickets to a Series 8 launch celebration that is free to attend are up for grabs.

The Twelfth Knight Party is being held in London on Saturday 23rd August, starting at 3pm, with Deep Breath and any accompanying Doctor Who programming broadcast that afternoon and evening being shown live on big screens.

Organised by Jeremy and Paula Bentham together with Tony Clark, the party - which is open to all people aged 18 and over - was announced before it emerged that the series opener would be simulscreened at cinemas. This has led to cancellations for ticket applications for the free event.

Jeremy told Doctor Who News:
The announcement of nationwide Deep Breath cinema screenings has led to some changes of plan by around 100 people who had earlier pre-registered to attend the party.

I'm therefore delighted to have both the time and the opportunity to offer these "spares" to people who would like to see for free the opening episode of Series 8, plus any other Doctor Who programming being aired while the party takes place, on super-size TV screens in a party environment rather than a popcorn one.
Food and drink will be available to buy at the venue, which is installing extra 55-inch screens.

To apply for tickets, e-mail Jeremy at jjbentham@aol.com by the revised closing date of Sunday 17th August, using the subject line Twelfth Knight ticket applications and stating your name as well as how many people will be in your group.

Tickets and exact details of where the party is being held will be despatched the next day by e-mail. Please note that admission will be by ticket only.

London Transport links for the weekend are currently reported as being good, although people are still urged to consider their transport options for getting home afterwards, as the event will finish late.

Since the show returned to TV screens in 2005, the organisers have held a series of highly popular event parties in London, most recently the Doc Lands @ 50 Party, which took place on 23rd November 2013 to mark the programme's 50th anniversary.




FILTER: - Doctor Who - Premiere - Events - Series 8/34 - Special Events - UK

Doctor Who Tour reaches London

Thursday, 7 August 2014 - Reported by Chuck Foster
After a successful world premiere in Cardiff this afternoon, the Doctor Who World Tour reached London for this evening's presentation at the British Film Institute. The BBC have released two photos celebrating Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman's arrival in the capital.

Doctor Who World Tour - London 7th Aug 2014 (Credit: BBC/Guy Levy) Doctor Who World Tour - London 7th Aug 2014 (Credit: BBC/Guy Levy)


BBC News covered the afternoon activities in Cardiff, with an interview with Capaldi undertaken by entertainment correspondent Lizo Mzimba, and a later item about the afternoon in general that featured on the BBC News at 6; Newsround were also present at the premiere to chat to Capaldi.





FILTER: - Premiere - Events - Series 8/34 - Special Events - World Tour 2014

Deep Breath in Denmark cinemas

Wednesday, 6 August 2014 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Peter Capaldi as the Doctor (Credit: BBC/Adrian Rogers)Danish cinema chain CinemaxX have announced that they will be showing series premiere Deep Breath in their Odense, Aarhus and Copenhagen theatres on Saturday 23rd August at 7:45pm.

Denmark's local time is one hour ahead of the United Kingdom's, which makes the above time effectively 6:45pm; however, the exact time in cinema should be clarified once tickets are on sale, from tomorrow (Thursday) at 4:00pm via the CinemaxX website. Update: the cinema website for the event cites 19:45.

There has been no news at present as to when the usual Doctor Who broadcaster DR might transmit the episode on television.




FILTER: - Cinema - Denmark - Premiere Events - Series 8/34

Giant Straw Dalek

Wednesday, 6 August 2014 - Reported by Marcus
A giant straw Dalek is still dominating a section of the Cheshire countryside.

Straw Dalek (Credit: Adrian Wilks) Straw Dalek Straw Dalek (Credit: Adrian Wilks) Straw Dalek


The Dalek was created for Doctor Who's Fiftieth Anniversary, at Snugburys Famous Ice Cream, a farm and dairy based in the West Midlands, known for its annual production of straw figures.

Standing at 35 feet high, the sculpture took over 700 man hours to build. It is made from 6 tons of straw, held up by a frame containing 5 tons of steel. It features moving parts and audio.

The Dalek can be seen from the Nantwich - Chester road and viewed at Park Farm in Hurleston just two miles from Nantwich, Cheshire.

(with thanks to Adrian Wilks)




FILTER: - Special Events

Deep Breath in New Zealand cinemas

Sunday, 3 August 2014 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Fans in New Zealand will get the chance to watch the new series premiere Deep Breath only a few hours after its broadcast in the United Kingdom as some cinemas will present the episode on Sunday 24th August at 10:00am - taking into account time zone differences between the two countries, New Zealand cinema-goers might well be the first to see the debut of the new Doctor outside of Europe!

Hoyts Cinemas will present the same premiere package as with other countries outside of the UK (i.e. the 'prequel' and behind-the-scenes footage but no Q&A), showing at various times during the course of the Sunday; for example Te Awa (Hamilton) has showings at 10:00am, 4:10pm and 6:30pm, whilst Sylvia Park (Auckland) has showings at 10:00am, 4:30pm and 6:40pm; others such have Northlands only has one showing at 2:00pm - see the cinema website for overall availability.

Following the unprecedented success of the 50th anniversary special in cinemas around the globe, BBC Worldwide is delighted to announce a unique big-screen opportunity for the special feature-length first episode of series 8 launching Peter Capaldi as the Twelfth Doctor.

Set in Victorian London, episode 1 reunites the newly regenerated Doctor and returning companion, Clara, with series regulars and fan favourites, Madame Vastra, Jenny and Strax. The episode will be approximately 80’ in duration and has been specially created to celebrate the launch of series 8, which represents another a key milestone for the Doctor Who brand: the first full length episode with Peter Capaldi as the Doctor. In addition to the main feature, which like the 50th anniversary episode will also be available on TV, cinemas will be offered 15 minutes of exclusive content; 5 minutes of specially scripted content to play before the feature and 10 minutes of behind the scenes post the main feature.

Episode 1 provides the ideal jumping on point for new audiences and an exciting moment in Doctor Who’s history for dedicated fans.

There will be 15 minutes of content exclusive to cinemas this will include:
1 x 5 min scripted drama written by Steven Moffat
1 x 10 min behind the scenes of the series

Update: Event Cinemas will also be showing the episode at various times during the day and following week in local theatres - see their website for times and booking.


Broadcaster PRIME have yet to confirm a transmission date and time for the episode, though if scheduled in a similar fashion to the four debuts of the last couple of series Doctor Who would likely be at 8:30pm on a Thursday evening, starting on the 28th August or 4th September.





FILTER: - Cinema - New Zealand - Premiere Events - Series 8/34

Deep Breath in Australian cinemas

Friday, 1 August 2014 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Peter Capaldi as the Doctor (Credit: BBC/Adrian Rogers)With broadcaster ABC yet to confirm when series premiere Deep Breath will air in Australia, it seems likely that cinema-goers will get to see the debut adventure of Peter Capaldi first, as national theatres such as Event Cinemas and Palace Cinemas, and local theatres such as Melbourne's Cinema Nova launch a number of presentations of the episode on the big screen, many from 10:00am on the 24th August!

Shown in participating cinemas across the country, the episode be enjoyed at a number of different times during the course of the week: as well as 10:00am, Event Cinemas continue showings at 4:00pm, 6:30pm, and then for 6:30pm on the following Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings; Palace Cinemas theatre showings occur at various times during the Sunday depending upon location; Cinema Nova has presentations at 10:00am, 11:55am, 1:50pm, 3:45pm, 5:40pm, 7:35pm and 9:30pm all on Sunday.

The programme duration also suggests that the Australian audience will indeed get to see the 'prequel' and behind-the-scenes features that will be enjoyed in UK, USA and Canadian cinemas.

A list of participating cinemas can be found via Sharmill Films.

Set in Victorian London, episode 1 reunites the newly regenerated Doctor and returning companion, Clara, with series regulars and fan favourites, Madame Vastra, Jenny and Strax.

(with thanks to James Armstrong)




FILTER: - Australia - Cinema - Events - Series 8/34

Deep Breath in Canadian cinemas

Friday, 1 August 2014 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Deep Breath in Canada cinemas poster (Credit: Cineplex)Fans in Canada will be able to watch Deep Breath on the big screen in participating cinemas across the country via Cineplex. The new Doctor's first adventure (and its associated cinema extras) will be shown twice during the week after its premiere on television, with presentations on Monday 25th August at 7:30pm and on Saturday 30th August at 12:55pm.

A full list of cinemas can be found on the Cineplex website, where you can also book tickets.

This fall, Doctor Who re-launches with a new Doctor, Peter Capaldi (In the Loop, World War Z), at the helm of the TARDIS and a thrilling new adventure through space and time. It’s the perfect opportunity to experience Doctor Who for the first time or for long-time fans to be a part of this highly anticipated season premiere! The electrifying episode will be shown in cinemas and will also include 15 minutes of exclusive bonus content. Capaldi will be joined by companion Jenna Coleman (Captain America: The First Avenger) in what promises to be the most amazing Doctor Who adventure yet, a brand new beginning for a legendary series! The 80-minute adventure, presented in theatrical widescreen (2.35:1) only in cinemas, will also feature a specially shot, 5-minute prequel scene, preceding the premiere, and also a 10-minute “making of” documentary immediately following the event, both exclusive to cinemas.





FILTER: - Canada - Cinema - Series 8/34 - Special Events

Doctor Who World Tour: Mexico City tickets on sale from 2nd August

Thursday, 31 July 2014 - Reported by Chuck Foster
World Tour 2014 - Mexico CityBBC Worldwide have now confirmed that tickets will go on sale for the Mexico City leg of the Doctor Who World Tour this coming Saturday 2nd August from 11:00pm local time. The Tour will see Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman appearing at the Teatro Metropolitan theatre for the screening of series premiere Deep Breath and a Q&A session.

Tickets will be available to purchase via Ticketmaster.





FILTER: - BBC Worldwide - Jenna Coleman - Latin America - Peter Capaldi - Events - Series 8/34

BBC America announces "Takeover Week" / cinema presentations

Thursday, 31 July 2014 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Peter Capaldi as the Doctor (Credit: BBC/Adrian Rogers)BBC America have announced a series of events taking place in the lead-up and aftermath of the series premiere of Deep Breath in the United States.

During the week before broadcast, the channel will premiere new specials relating to the show, including Doctor Who: The Ultimate Companion on the 16th August at 9:00pm, The Real History of Science Fiction: Time at 10:00pm, and then Doctor Who: The Ultimate Time Lord on the 18th at 10:00pm, which forms part of a marathon week of Doctor Who episodes.

On the day itself, Doctor Who: Live Pre-Show will be presented by Nerdist presenter Chris Hardwick at 7:30pm before the premiere airs at 8:00pm. Doctor Who is then followed by another premiere, Intruders, before the show is once again the focus in Doctor Who: After Who Live at 11:00pm - the show aims to feature a host of guests in studio, including writer/actor Mark Gatiss, plus behind-the-scenes footage.

The day after will see Make Your Own Sunday, featuring the top episodes voted for by BBC America viewers in an online poll that opens on the 6th August.


Meanwhile, as with the United Kingdom, the episode will have a cinematic release in the USA, though this will not be simulcast. Instead, BBC America have partnered with Fathom Events to present Deep Breath in a special screening event taking place in twelve cities from midnight, with full details to be announced on the 5th August.

This will be followed by a wider cinematic release on the 25th August, with over 550 cinemas showing the episode at 7:00pm and 9:30pm, accompanied by the prequel and behind-the-scenes material as seen in the UK (no Q&A).

Tickets are now available to purchase from participating venues and also online from Fathom Events.




FILTER: - BBC America - Cinema - Premiere Events - Series 8/34 - Special Events - USA

Deep Breath cinema tickets on sale in UK from 1st August

Thursday, 31 July 2014 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The Doctor is annoyed that Clara booked her cinema ticket before him... (Photo Credit: BBC/Adrian Rogers)The BBC have reported that tickets to the cinematic outing of the Doctor Who new series premiere Deep Breath will go on sale from tomorrow morning (1st August) from 11:00am.

As well as the episode itself, cinemas will also be showing an exclusive five minute video that features on a future Doctor Who DVD release, plus a ten minute behind-the-scenes film covering the making of the episode (which viewers at home will also be able to see via the BBC Red Button).

In addition to cinemas around the country, there will be a special showing at London's Odeon Leicester Square which will also include a live Q&A with guest stars from the story. Limited tickets for this event can be purchased from Odeon tomorrow from the earlier time of 10:00am. Viewers at other cinemas will also be able to see the Q&A via a live stream.

Stephen Davies, Director for Live Events, said:
Following the tremendous success of the 50th anniversary screenings, this is another wonderful opportunity for fans to get together to celebrate another major milestone and enjoy the amazing opening episode of the Peter Capaldi era on the big screen.

Deep Breath has been rated PG, with the cinema events expected to end between 10:00-10:30pm.




FILTER: - Cinema - Premiere Events - Series 8/34 - Special Events