Christmas Special Fast-tracked to Australia

Tuesday, 19 October 2010 - Reported by Marcus

Australian sources are reporting that the 2010 Doctor Who Christmas Special will be fast tracked to ABC Television where it will be shown on Boxing Day.

In previous years the Christmas Specials have taken a couple of months to travel down under with The End of Time being shown in the middle of February.

The programme, which co-stars Michael Gambon and Katherine Jenkins, will almost certainly be shown in the UK on Christmas Day, although schedules will not be confirmed until the end of next month. A fast track to the USA and Canada is also likely.

FILTER: - Specials - Broadcasting - Australia

Filming roundup 18th October

Tuesday, 19 October 2010 - Reported by Chuck Foster

After a quiet start to the episode one/two recording block last week, the cast and crew were finally seen in public once more tonight, with filming taking place at an unfinished building on West Bute Street, at Cardiff Bay. The evening saw scenes taking place with guest stars Alex Kingston and Mark Sheppard.

They'd been setting up all day on the corner of West Bute Street in what looked like the shell of a new block of flats. Greeenscreen in front.

The scene they filmed was reminiscent of the pre-titles to "The Time of Angels"; River Song being cornered by blokes in suits, with guns pointed at her, before managing to escape.

Mark Sheppard: "Stop! Don't move!"
River: "There are loads of them, They're everywhere"
Mark Sheppard: "America is being invaded!"
River: "America was invaded a long time ago, America is occupied"
[River moves back a little more]
Mark Sheppard: "Don't move! There's no way out!"
River: [something that sounded like] "Oh really?"

She then falls off the edge! The stunt woman took over at this point, and surprisingly they only did it once, after which the cast, crew and Alex gave a big applause to the stunt lady.

Tonight's filming was preceeded by two additional filming shoots, once on St. Mary's Street in Cardiff centre at Le Monde, and the other at old filming haunt the Glamorgan Building at Cardiff University.

Filming at Le Monde appeared to feature people in 1960s American fashion, as seen in these photos:

Filming at the Glamorgan Building involved a corridor with a red carpet, with more extras wearing sixties clothes and carrying American flags.

FILTER: - Series 6/32 - Production - Filming Reports

Casting Update: Mark Sheppard

Saturday, 16 October 2010 - Reported by Chuck Foster

The US convention ValleyCon 36 have reported that the actor Mark Sheppard has had to pull out of their event this weekend due to new work commitments on Doctor Who. Their press release states:

We had just booked Mark’s airline tickets a week ago when less than 12 hours later he got the dream job of any kid who grew up in England-and many kids here too. He landed a huge role in the new Dr. Who but they needed him there the next day. There was no way we were going to stand in the way of that and so Mark took the job but with his deepest apologies. We will try to work out an appearance with him in the future and wish him great luck with Dr. Who!

As the release states his start last week, this suggests that he will feature in the series opening two-parter, which began shooting this week under the helm of director Toby Haynes.

Sheppard has appeared in a number of high profile science-fiction shows of late, including Supernatural as Crowley, Battlestar Galactica as Romo Lampkin, and Warehouse 13 as Benedict Valda.

FILTER: - Production

News Roundup

Saturday, 16 October 2010 - Reported by Marcus

David Tennant's return to BBC One last Sunday was watched by 5.1 million viewers according to unofficial overnight figures. The drama Single Father has received rave reviews and scored an Appreciation Index figure of 87. It continues on Sunday.

The new BBC One controller has been named as Danny Cohen. Cohen has been in charge of BBC Three since May 2007 after previously working for Channel 4 and E4. As Controller he is responsible for the commissioning and scheduling of Doctor Who.

Doctor Who Live continues its tour around the UK. Currently at the Glasgow SECC it moves to Birmingham on Monday.

British musician Mitch Benn, best known for his humorous songs performed on BBC Radio has released a song praising the output of the BBC, in which Doctor Who gets no less than three mentions. The song will be released for download from iTunes, Amazon and other reputable sites on November 1st.

FILTER: - David Tennant - BBC

Tennant goes Classic

Friday, 15 October 2010 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Former Doctor David Tennant has returned to Doctor Who - at least in documentary form! In his first series-related work since leaving the show, the actor filmed material in June for a feature to appear on the forthcoming Revisitations II boxed set, due out next year.

FILTER: - David Tennant - Classic Series

Frazer Hines on Tour

Thursday, 14 October 2010 - Reported by Marcus

Actor Frazer Hines brings his touring one man show to the UK this Autumn.

Hines, who played Jamie alongside second Doctor Patrick Troughton has previously performed his show on cruise ships travelling everywhere from the Mediterranean to Norway. He now gives fans in the UK a chance to hear of his earliest performances with Charlie Chaplin, Michael Caine, Omar Sharif and Michael York and listen to his entertaining and heartwarming stories of the highs and lows of his long running career.

Five dates have been scheduled for 2010, however it is hoped to extend the tour through 2011.

30th October 2010 - Isle of Man - Erin Arts Centre - Facebook

4th November 2010 - Derby - The Quad - Facebook

7th November 2010 - Prestatyn - Scala Cinema Arts Centre - Facebook

13th November 2010 - Yeovil - The Swan Theatre - Facebook
Preceded by a Signing at Waterstones

14th November 2010 - Truro - Signing at Waterstones 1pm-3pm.

21st November 2010 - Manchester - The Lass O'Gowrie - Facebook

Frazer Hines will also be appearing as Wishee Washee in Aladdin at The Lighthouse Theatre in Kettering Conference Centre from Friday 10 December - Sunday 26 December 2010.

When Aladdin arrives at The Lighthouse Theatre in Kettering this pantomime season, expect a fantastic musical Show full of festive family fun in colossal quantities – with bucket loads of boos and hisses, huge doses of heckling ‘he’s behind you’, panto dames, and maybe even a wish or two from the Genie of the Lamp.

Opening on Friday 10th December and continuing until Sunday 26th December, more than 25 festive performances are in store for audience members at The Lighthouse this year.

Expect to see a flying magic carpet, marvel at a host of magic tricks, watch out for Abanazar (played by DAVID VAN DAY – the man we all love to hate!) and Widow Twankey’s shenanigans. Join Aladdin on his journey from rags-to-riches – defeating the evil Abanazer and winning the heart of the beautiful princess along the way.

With a live band and a host of other familiar faces, this year’s pantomime cast promises good old fashioned family entertainment fit for all ages, a trip to The Lighthouse shouldn’t be missed.

FILTER: - People

IDW launch 11th Doctor Comics in January

Wednesday, 13 October 2010 - Reported by Chuck Foster

IDW Publishing have announced their range of Doctor Who Comics will follow the Eleventh Doctor's travels from January 2011. These all-new, full colour adventures will also feature his companions Amy and Rory.

Issue One finds the trio battling holographic spam and 'friending' requests on a planet that is hours from destruction by an alien race. It is penned by writer Tony Lee, no newcomer to the Doctor's world having written many of the Tenth Doctor adventures for IDW. Story art is provided by Andrew Currie, and cover art by another long-term contributor Tommy Lee Edwards. There will also be two incentive covers, one by Eisner Award winner Mark Buckingham, and the other by Kelley Yates - the latter featuring a gatefold cover opening out to reveal the TARDIS.

Future issues will see plots involving Jack the Ripper, penalty shoot-outs against Vikings and Cybernetic Space Pirate Dinosaurs, plus the return of a classic villain - says Tony Lee:

I could tell you who they are, but I'd have to kill you. Let's just say we've been given special dispensation to use them, and we have a killer story - in all senses of the word!

FILTER: - Merchandise

Doctor Who Adventures 188

Wednesday, 13 October 2010 - Reported by Marcus

This week’s issue of Doctor Who Adventures comes with a 2-page pull-out mag all about the new series of The Sarah Jane Adventures, in which some of the secrets of the next episode are revealed. There is an exclusive interview with actress Elisabeth Sladen.

What makes a great companion? Have you got what it takes to travel with the Doctor? You can find out in this week’s fact file.

Plus: a free 3-D notebook, posters and a puzzles and jokes section.

Issue 188 of Doctor Who Adventures magazine is out on Thursday 14 October.

FILTER: - Magazines - DWA

Death of the Doctor prompts speculation

Wednesday, 13 October 2010 - Reported by Marcus

Do not click on the following links, if you want to avoid spoilers for the upcoming series of The Sarah Jane Adventures.

According to slightly inaccurate stories in today's Guardian, Digital Journal and elsewhere, a bit of Doctor Who history is about to be rewritten.

The cause of all the speculation is a throwaway line in Episode Six of the current series of The Sarah Jane Adventures. The episodes were screened at a special preview held at the BFI on London's South Bank Tuesday evening. After the screening Elisabeth Sladen and Katy Manning were part of a panel talking about the series.

Press Release
Matt Smith, Laila Rouass and Katy Manning guest star in Death Of The Doctor, written by Russell T Davies.

Part One
When The Doctor is declared dead, old companions Sarah Jane and Jo Grant meet for the very first time and join forces to discover the truth. As an interstellar conspiracy gathers around Unit HQ, Clyde finds that he holds the fate of the Time Lord in his hand – quite literally!

Old friends fight together to make one last stand against the sinister Shansheeth. But with Clyde and Rani trapped and in terrible danger, Sarah Jane and Jo Grant realise their worst fears – their friendship with the Doctor might be the very thing that dooms them.

FILTER: - Doctor Who - Sarah Jane - Press

Series Five Music - Track List

Tuesday, 12 October 2010 - Reported by Marcus

Silva Screen have announced the track listing for the forthcoming CD of music from Doctor Who - Series Five.

The two disc set is due for release in the UK on the 8th November.

1. Doctor Who XI

THE ELEVENTH HOUR
2. Down To Earth
3. Little Amy
4. Fish Custard
5. Can I Come With You?
6. Little Amy: The Apple
7. The Sun's Gone Wibbly
8. Zero
9. I Am The Doctor
10. The Mad Man With A Box
11. Amy In The TARDIS

THE BEAST BELOW
12. The Beast Below
13. Amy's Theme
14. A Lonely Decision

VICTORY OF THE DALEKS
15. A Tyrannical Menace
16. Victory Of The Daleks
17. Battle In The Sky

THE TIME OF ANGELS / FLESH AND STONE
18. River's Path
19. The Time Of Angels

THE VAMPIRES OF VENICE
20. I Offer You My Daughter
21. Chicken Casanova
22. Signora Rosanna Calvierri
23. Cab For Amy Pond
24. The Vampires Of Venice

AMY'S CHOICE
25. Wedded Bliss
26. The Dream

THE HUNGRY EARTH / COLD BLOOD
27. Rio de Cwmtaff
28. The Silurians

VINCENT AND THE DOCTOR
1. Paint
2. Vincent
3. Hidden Treasures
4. A Troubled Man
5. With Love, Vincent

THE LODGER
6. Adrift In The TARDIS
7. Friends And Neighbours
8. Doctor Gastronomy
9. You Must Like It Here
10. A Useful Striker
11. A Painful Exchange
12. Kiss The Girl
13. Thank You Craig

THE PANDORICA OPENS / THE BIG BANG
14. River Runs Through It
15. Away On Horseback
16. Beneath Stonehenge
17. Who Else Is Coming
18. Amy And Rory
19. The Pandorica
20. Words Win Wars
21. The Life And Death Of Amy Pond
22. Amy's Starless Life
23. Into The Museum
24. This Is Where It Gets Complicated
25. Roman Paradox
26. The Patient Centurion
27. The Same Sonic
28. Honey I'm Home
29. The Perfect Prison
30. A River Of Tears
31. The Sad Man With A Box
32. You And Me, Amy
33. The Big Day
34. I remember You
35. Onwards!

FILTER: - Music - Series 5/31

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