Series Six DVD - Official Doctor Who themed Parties

Thursday, 27 October 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
2|Entertain is launching the first official range of themed parties to celebrate the release of the Complete Doctor Who Series 6 on DVD and Blu-ray:
 
Scores of fans can sign up to host a Doctor Who themed party in their own home when the new initiative put together by marketing company Come Round launches this week. For aspiring young Doctors, Amys and Rorys these official party packages will the perfect way to celebrate their love of the show.

The first 400 to sign-up will receive an exclusive party pack containing official Doctor Who merchandise, tailored game suggestions, posters and more – the perfect kit to host the perfect party.

Furthermore, all the first 400 will be given exclusive access to stream special never-seen-before DVD extras before the DVD becomes available to the British public. The four Monster File previews are 10 to 15 minutes each and will be part of the exclusive pack given to the winners to share with guests of their party.

Launched just before the much anticipated boxset hits the shops, the first-ever official Doctor Who parties will take place on the 19th and 20th November 2011. For those not lucky enough to get a hosting pack, special ‘print at home’ kits will be available so anyone can don a bow tie or a River Song mask to join in the fun in their own home.

The Parties are only available to UK residents, who can sign up to join via the Come Round website. Full terms and conditions can be found on the website.




FILTER: - Special Events - UK - Blu-ray/DVD

Arts For Hearts Auction: Final Week

Wednesday, 28 September 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
This week sees the final items of Doctor Who artwork up for auction by Arts For Hearts, the proceeds of which are donated to the Great Ormond Street Hospital to held fund research into organ transplants.

Concept artist Peter McKinstry has donated two A2 prints of K9, both of which have been signed by the artist and the voice of K9, John Leeson. Also up for auction is a page of original comic artwork from Doctor Who Adventures by John Ross



You can bid on the two K9 prints (one, two) and the John Ross artwork via Ebay.

(with thanks to Ian Stacey)





FILTER: - Special Events - Auctions

Sarah Jane Screening - Now Open to All

Friday, 9 September 2011 - Reported by Marcus
Sarah Jane Adventures
Update: After some confusion in the BFI Box Office, we can confirm that restrictions have now been lifted.

The BFI has removed the restrictions on booking for the special preview of the new series of The Sarah Jane Adventures.

The screening, at the BFI IMAX, on 16th September at 6:30pm was originally restricted to adults accompanied by children. Tickets are now available to all.

Subject to work commitments, cast members Daniel Anthony (Clyde Langer), Tommy Knight (Luke Smith), Anjli Mohindra (Rani Chandra), Sinead Michael and Phil Ford (co-producer and lead writer) will be present for a Q&A following the screening.

Tickets can be booked online.

With thanks to John Bowman





FILTER: - Special Events - Sarah Jane

Walk for Lis: still time to donate

Friday, 9 September 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Doctor Who and Sarah Jane Adventures Brand Manager Edward Russell has been walking this week from the BBC's Upper Boat Studios in Wales to Television Centre in London, raising money for the Meadow House Hospice who looked after the actress Elisabeth Sladen.

Having battled the inclement weather over the last few days, he has now reached his last resting place before the final push to London tomorrow. You can follow his adventure along the way via the official Facebook group for the walk.


So far Ed has raised just under £14,000 for the Hospice, but hopes to achieve £15,000 upon his arrival. To donate, simply click on the link below.






FILTER: - Special Events - Charities - Elisabeth Sladen

Elisabeth Sladen - A Celebration

Friday, 9 September 2011 - Reported by Marcus
Hyde Fundraisers Hyde Fundraisers are inviting you to join them in a celebration of the life and work of Elisabeth Sladen as they host a special screening at Cineworld in Ashton-under-Lyne in aid of Sladen's charity The Lymphoedema Support Network and BBC Children In Need.

There will be a screening of the Dr Who episode School Reunion, which stars David Tennant along with selected episodes from The Sarah Jane Adventures.

This will include character photo opportunities - including a replica K-9 - a charity tombola with Dr Who prizes and merchandiser Galaxy 4.

The specially invited guest (Subject to work commitments) is Daniel Anthony alias Clyde from the The Sarah Jane Adventures.

The event takes place between 10.30am and 2pm with tickets available from the Cineworld website.

The event takes place with kind permission of BBC Television and Cineworld Cinemas.

For further details visit www.hydefundraisers.com




FILTER: - Special Events - Charities

Louise Jameson: Pulling Faces in Australia

Wednesday, 7 September 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Louise Jameson, Pulling Faces, photo Ian Fraser/TLC ProductionsLouise Jameson is to give a special performance of her one-woman show Pulling Faces in Australia next month.

The event is hosted by the Doctor Who Club of Australia as an epilogue to the Whovention 21 Celebration and takes place at the Bankstown Sports Club in Sydney on Wednesday 26th October. As well as the show itself, the actress will also attend a Q&A session, and an additional 'priority' package is available which enables ticket holders to attend an exclusive "meet and greet" with the actress and be able to receive her autograph after the event.

Louise Jameson plays twelve different characters in the course of one hour. You will be guided through a week in television presenter Joanna's life as she does battle with her nipped and tucked nemesis, the evil agent, and her anti-surgery daughter Rachel. An evening of guilty pleasure.

You can find more details of the event from the Doctor Who Club of Australia, and the play itself via Louise Jameson's official website.

(with thanks to Vitas Varnas)




FILTER: - People - Special Events - Australia

Melbourne Fringe: Who, Me.

Tuesday, 6 September 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
A new one-man stage show based around Doctor Who has been announced for the Melbourne Fringe, taking place between the 21st September and 9th October:

Who, Me.

Doctor Who is about to face his greatest challenge: his number one fan. Rob Lloyd (The Hounds, The Mutant Way, A Study in Scarlet (A Study of...) and Fan Number One) is putting the Doctor on trial.

Not just for Doctor Who fans, it’s a show about obsession and it’s many faces. What have you been obsessed with – a celebrity, a football team, a TV show? For Rob, it’s Doctor Who all the way.

He will be asking the BIG questions. Investigating whether Doctor Who (the television show) is guilty of inciting in him a debilitating obsession, or whether it has shaped him into a well-rounded, mentally sound member of society. Since 1996 Rob Lloyd has dedicated himself to amassing as much Doctor Who knowledge, well as videos, DVD, novels, audios, action figures and assorted paraphernalia as he can afford. With his replica Jon Pertwee era sonic screwdriver in hand and dressed in his 10th Doctor get up he is ready to jump head first into finding out how and why he got here!

Built up through improvisation and storytelling techniques, this one-man show is a personal and fitting tribute to a television icon. Through the course of the show we will see how one TV program can influence a persons actions, behavior and psyche. You don’t need to be a Doctor Who fan to relate to this show, it speaks to anyone who has known obsession. It’s a hilarious romp across the Doctor’s 48 years, 11 faces and countless adventures.
 

The 55 minute play is to be performed by Australian actor, comedian and improviser Rob Lloyd, known for the cult musical comedy The Dodge, comedy troupe The Crew and award-winning comedy trio The Hounds; he devised the show alongside regular collaborator/director Scott Gooding.

Who, Me. will be performed throughout the Fringe (bar Mondays and final night) - further details and tickets can be purchased via the Melbourne Fringe.

(with thanks to Laura Milke Garner/MILKE Performance Industry Services)




FILTER: - Special Events - Australia

Day of the Daleks preview: Alister Pearson print

Tuesday, 30 August 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
This Sunday (4th) sees a special preview taking place to celebrate the release of Day of the Daleks on DVD, presented by the Doctor Who Appreciation Society with permission from 2|Entertain.

Artist Alister Pearson has produced a new A4 print for the event based on the original artwork designs for the Target novelisation's three covers, by Chris Achilleos, Andrew Skilleter and himself. He'll be at the event to sign prints, proceeds of which are in aid of Help for Heroes; it can also be pre-ordered directly from the DWAS website via their Day of the Daleks event section, and these too will be signed by the artist.

Though the event itself is fully booked, there is an open autograph session at the end of the event at 5:00pm for those who wish to come along to pre-order the DVD on the day and have the cover signed by the guests, Katy Manning (Jo Grant) and Richard Franklin (Mike Yates) - it is also hoped that Scott Fredericks (Boaz) will be able to attend on the day as well. As with the print, a signed DVD can also be pre-ordered from DWAS online before the event takes place.


Full details on the event and associated merchandise/activities can be found via the DWAS website.




BBC ClassicDW have also released a clip from one of the special features on the discs.


Day of the Daleks preview clip, BBC Classic Doctor Who (via YouTube)




FILTER: - Special Events - Charities - Classic Series - Blu-ray/DVD

Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular for Melbourne

Sunday, 28 August 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is to present the Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular next February as part of the celebrations for the grand re-opening of the Hamer Hall venue at the Melbourne Arts Centre.

The concert, similar to the format seen at the two Proms concerts in London, will feature music from the television series, combined with classic clips and live monsters.

More details will be available nearer the event.

(newslink: Herald Sun, Sydney Morning Herald)




FILTER: - Music - Special Events - Australia

Walk for Lis: update

Wednesday, 17 August 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
We have recently heard from Doctor Who's Brand Manager Edward Russell, who will be undertaking a walk to raise money on behalf of the hospice that looked after Elisabeth Sladen; he wishes to thank everybody who has donated so far, and has a message from the Meadow House Hospice itself to share:

We are extremely grateful to you and everyone who has contributed as it will make a significant contribution to our charitable fund and our plans to upgrade our in-patient unit.

As previously reported, the walk is scheduled to start at the BBC's Upper Boat Studios in Wales (where The Sarah Jane Adventures were produced) on the 3rd September; once under way, Edward aims to utilise the dedicated Facebook group for the walk to chart his progress.






FILTER: - Special Events - Charities - Elisabeth Sladen