Details announced of Splendid Chaps: "Eight/Science"

Thursday, 25 July 2013 - Reported by Adam Kirk

As previously reported, Splendid Chaps is a year-long performance/podcast project to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who hosted by comedian Ben McKenzie (Dungeon Crawl, Melbourne Museum Comedy Tour) and writer John Richards (ABC1 sitcom Outland, Boxcutters podcast)

Described by its creators as part intellectual panel discussion, part nerdy Tonight Show, Splendid Chaps is a combination of analysis, enthusiasm and irreverence. The first episode went to number 1 on the iTunes TV & Film Podcast chart in Australia, and to number 4 in the UK. The podcasts to previous episodes are now available at www.splendidchaps.com or at iTunes.

Tickets are now on sale for their Eighth Doctor show! Their eighth major episode brings them to the Doctor of the show’s “middle period” between classic and new Who - Paul McGann’s Eighth Doctor. A cult figure thanks to his starring role in Withnail and I (alongside alternate Ninth Doctor Richard E Grant), McGann was a popular choice and garnered much kudos for his performance – but almost nothing else about the American co-produced telemovie seemed to please audiences on either of the Atlantic, and no new series was produced. It’s a weird moment in the so-called “wilderness years” between old and new Who.

It is also National Science Week, so Splendid Chaps are also looking at science in Doctor Who. Ostensibly science fiction, and starting out life with an educational remit, Doctor Who originally alternated between trips to historical events and sci-fi tales that were meant to teach us about science. But amongst the mad scientists, wobbly grasp of concepts like “black hole”, “neutron” and “constellation”, and the rather more fantastical bent of the post-2005 show, does Doctor Who actually depict real science in any meaningful way? Does it champion the idea of being “sciencey”? What does it get wrong, what does it get right, and what can we learn from it about science in either case?

Hosts Ben McKenzie, John Richards and Petra Elliott will be joined by a panel of actual scientists including biologist and geneticist Jack Scanlan. Plus a musical performance, and all the usual prizes and surprises!

Space: upstairs, Bar Open, 317 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Time: Sunday, August 11; recording starts 5 PM
Accessibility: Splendid Chaps regret that this venue is not wheelchair accessible
Tickets: $15 (plus booking fee where applicable)
Bookings: via trybooking.com or at the door (subject to availability)
Podcast: not yet available; released 23 August 2013.

With thanks to John Richards

FILTER: - Special Events - Fan Productions - Eighth Doctor - Paul McGann - Australia

Fandom Update

Tuesday, 9 July 2013 - Reported by Chuck Foster

DWAS 50th Anniversary Poll:

The Doctor Who Appreciation Society's 50th Anniversary Poll is now underway. Voting is open to all, with a closing date of 7th August. Full details may be found at the DWAS website.

(with thanks to Tony Jordan)

Fourth Dimension - a Doctor Who charity book:

Fourth Dimension (Credit: Steven Miscandlon)

FOURTH DIMENSION, by British Who fan Steven Miscandlon, collects twelve of his short stories and thirty-one reviews that were first published in various Doctor Who fan magazines between 1992 and 1996. The stories, which feature five of the original seven Doctors, range from short, fun pieces to darker and more thought-provoking tales, while the reviews cover not only a selection of televised Doctor Who stories, but also novels and other spin-off media released in the early nineties. Also included is “The Gallifrey Incursion”, a previously unpublished novelette-length story written in 1995.

The author was a regular contributor of fiction, articles and illustrations to well-respected fanzines such as Capitol Spires, Mandria, Silver Carrier, Metamorph and Shadowsphere, and also had pieces published in a handful of others, including Game of Rassilon, Club Tropicana, Circus and Borusa’s Trousers.

Perfectly tying in with the show’s 50th anniversary, the book will appeal to fans of the classic series, but Steven believes it also provides an interesting snapshot of what Who fans got up to in the lengthy hiatus between the cancellation of the original series in 1989, and the broadcast of the Paul McGann TV Movie in 1996.

He said:

It seems that the programme has never been more popular, and yet in some ways its fan base is very different to that of twenty years ago. I hope people enjoy the various writings that make up FOURTH DIMENSION, and that they will give an interesting insight into the frustrating but exciting world of Doctor Who fandom in the early nineties.

The book is available as both a paperback and a PDF ebook from Lulu.com, and other ebook formats are also available directly from the author. All profits from sales of the book will be donated to UK charity Unite Against Cancer, which was set up in 2012 to fund research into new cancer treatments.

(with thanks to Steven Miscandlon)

More of the Best Poems in the Universe:

More of the Best Doctor Who Poems in the Universe (Credit: Garry Vaux)

Are you suffering from end of series blues?
Are you twiddling your thumbs waiting for the 50th anniversary?
Are you more poetic than Clara’s leaf?

Then put your writing skills to good use. Volume 2 needs your contributions right now because everything has gone a bit wibbly wobbly, timey rhymey! They can be about any Who related subject, your own work and must be previously unpublished.

We would also welcome any artwork from budding Doctor Who artists out there. Please supply as a 300dpi jpeg. Pictures should be portrait in orientation. Send your entries to whoems@GJBpublishing.co.uk. Deadline for all entries is 31st July 2013.

Those successful will be notified by email and will have the chance to pre-order the book before it goes on general release later this year. The editor’s decision is final. Geronimo!

(with thanks to Garry Vaux)

The Doctor & I - a celebration of a fandom 50 years in the making:

We've all got a "The Doctor & I" story. It's time to tell yours.

23rd November 2013 will mark 50 years of Doctor Who as well as 50 years of its accompanying fandom that continues to be a big part of all of our lives. Although all of our journeys with the Doctor start at different times, his ongoing adventures continue to bring millions of fans around the world together as we discuss, debate and share in his epic voyage through through time and space.

As part of WhovianNet's 50th anniversary celebrations, we want to how and when your story began.

We're inviting you to submit your own essays (but they're not really essays - essays are NOT cool!) which detail your personal introduction to the Doctor Who fandom. How did it all begin for you? What initially got you so hooked? How has your life been affected since? We are particularly looking for stories that are special, moving and, most importantly, unique to you.

In a nutshell, we want to know what being a Doctor Who fan means to YOU - whether you've been following the Doctor since Day 1 or accidentally stumbled upon his recent adventures at 4 in the morning on Netflix, we want to hear from you, in essay/report/diary/story style.

And here comes the really cool bit - the stories will be collated into a special commemorative book which will go on sale later this year. The book will serve as a celebration of the fandom that's been 50 years in the making with - we hope - stories from fans worldwide young and old, as we come together to mark the Doctor's 50th birthday. We also hope to include contributions from those who have worked on the series who will reflect on their own experiences with the Doctor, both on and off screen.

Full details about the project can be found on our website.

(with thanks to Dan @ Whovian Net)

DDWRPG Fanzine Issue #020:

Diary of the Doctor Who Role Playing Games - Issue 20 (Credit: DDWRPG)

This issue of the Diary of Doctor Who Role Playing Games (DDWRPG) features the amazing discovery of lost Doctor Who RPG materials, such as the original proposals for FASA modules and the summary of the never released Gallifrey supplement! Also featured in the issue is an interview with FASA writer Ray Winninger, as well as many new articles! Reviews, adventure modules, and all of our standard features are in this Super-sized 172 page issue!!

The issue is available from the DDWRPG website.

Our next issue has lots of goodies planned including a look at the “Time Meddlers” Doctor Who RPG Fanzine from the 1980s, an interview with editor Steven Dieter, and many more good items as well! We welcome your submissions.

(with thanks to Nick Seidler)

Celebrate Regenerate - Out Now:

Lewis Christian reports on the release of his book, Celebrate, Regenerate:

It launched at midnight (GMT) on 3rd July and it's now available on the website. There are three versions - you can read it online, you can download a free PDF, and / or you can buy a physical copy. All the links are on the homepage of the site.

Now that's all the factual stuff out of the way, here's a personal bit from me to you all:

Thankyou! One word I've said more than any other this past year. A whole year I, and we, have been at this epic project. I remember the night I first had the barmy idea and then it just grew overnight! (There's a bit more detail in my Introduction, found in the opening pages of the book.) Thankyou to all the writers, contributors, artists, companions, interviewees - just everyone, even if you've just spread the word or even just said hi and taken an interest ^_^

I really really hope everyone enjoys it, and I properly hope I haven't missed anyone out. It's been a mammoth task to keep on top with, especially when I've gone it alone at my end for the majority. I sincerely apologise if I've missed your name out or anything - I hope you still enjoy the book <3 This project, for me, sums up how awesome fandom can be when it comes together. We're only a tiny percentage of Doctor Who's *entire fandom* but I think this makes its mark on the history of the show, and I think it's a wonderful addition to the countless other celebrations going on - if I may say so myself. And, of course, this would not be possible without you guys. Yes I put it together, but you all *made* the thing, so a big collective pat on the back! (Or, if you can't reach, just give yourself a big thumbs up.) I won't go on, I'll leave it there. Just thankyou again, everyone, and I hope it's been worth it. From my POV, it's definitely been worth it. I hope many of you decide to purchase a physical copy to reside on your bookshelf and I hope you enjoy flicking through the pages (my advice is to be random, as opposed to reading cover to cover). One last thing - see how many Doctor Who in-jokes you can find :D

(with thanks to Lewis Christian)

FILTER: - Fan Productions - Books - Polls

Details announced of Splendid Chaps: "Seven/Religion"

Monday, 1 July 2013 - Reported by Adam Kirk

As previously reported, Splendid Chaps is a year-long performance/podcast project to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who hosted by comedian Ben McKenzie (Dungeon Crawl, Melbourne Museum Comedy Tour) and writer John Richards (ABC1 sitcom Outland, Boxcutters podcast)

Described by its creators as part intellectual panel discussion, part nerdy Tonight Show, Splendid Chaps is a combination of analysis, enthusiasm and irreverence. The first episode went to number 1 on the iTunes TV & Film Podcast chart in Australia, and to number 4 in the UK. The podcasts to previous episodes are now available at www.splendidchaps.com or at iTunes.

Tickets are now on sale for their 7th Doctor show! This show discusses the seventh and final Doctor of what we now call the classic era, played by variety performer and actor Sylvester McCoy. Famous for escapology, spoon playing and putting ferrets down his trousers, McCoy’s casting raised a few eyebrows, but his performance changed many doubters’ minds – especially when combined with Sophie Aldred as Ace, and under the new direction provided by the incoming production team under Andrew Cartmel. Of course, no-one knew that the program’s days were numbered…

Splendid Chaps are also looking at the theme of “religion” in Doctor Who. The Doctor has been all across space and time and encountered zealots, fanatics, kindly priests, and beings who believed themselves to be gods or demons or the devil himself. But what does the program say about religion, faith and belief? Is the Doctor Who universe truly a rational one in which the supernatural is really just advanced science, or is The Beast really the Devil? Is faith worthwhile, and if so, what does the Doctor believe?

Hosts Ben McKenzie, John Richards and Petra Elliott are joined by guests including writer and game designer Paul Callaghan, comedian and television writer Dave Bloustien, and for their discussion of religion, the Reverend Dr Avril Hannah-Jones, Uniting Church minister and founder of the Church of the Latter Day Geek (as seen on Adam Hills In Gordon Street Tonight)! Plus a very special musical performance from the one and only Lee Zachariah, and all the usual prizes and surprises!

Space: The Public Bar, 238 Victoria Street, North Melbourne (opposite Victoria Markets)
Time: Sunday 14 July; recording starts 5 PM
Accessibility: This venue is wheelchair accessible.
Tickets: $15 (plus booking fee where applicable)
Bookings: via trybooking.com or at the door (subject to availability)
Podcast: not yet available; released 23 July 2013.

With thanks to John Richards

FILTER: - Special Events - Fan Productions - Seventh Doctor - Sylvester McCoy - Australia

Fan Productions

Monday, 24 June 2013 - Reported by Marcus

Inferno Fiction; Volume Fourteen

Issue Fourteen of Inferno Fiction is now available online.

THE CAFEby Ashley Myles The Doctor and Dodo's peace is shattered when the TARDIS comes under attack from an intruder, intent on stealing it to help save his friends from an eternal prison set within a cafe...
I, ZYGONby Al Dickerson "Being a manuscript of the final transmission to the Zygon refugee fleet from the survivors of the exploration vessel Hiskarasa; the final testament of Grotton, bound squire to Commander Broton. Found on Earth in 2357 and verified authentic by the cultural council of New Zygor, 51 Pegasi."
RULER OF THE FOURTH DIMENSIONby Sean Bassett "There was once a man. The most amazing man. A man who’s saved many civilizations and improved so many lives. I imagine he’s still out there somewhere, gallivanting around the universe with his screwdriver. I met him once, a long time ago, in the summer of 1963."
THE GIFTby Michael Falino The Doctor answers a distress signal from the planet Clyreon where the inhabitants have a predicament involving a child...
THE SHADOW MAKERSby Joe Ford PART TWO: Steven recounts his time during the time distortion...and a meeting from the Doctor's future...
SILENCING THE BEASTby Meg MacDonald "I’m here Doctor. Still. You thought you’d left me behind, didn’t you? Thought you’d buried me at Arcadia? Cast me into the heart of the Nightmare Child? Left me behind like one of your Companions? You didn’t. I’m still here, Time Lord. And I’ve been waiting for you. Wake up!"
WHAT PLANET?by Michael Baxter
THE COMING OF THE DALEKSby Nathan Mullins The Daleks are after the key to the TARDIS and along with some old and new friends the Doctor sets out to stop them at any cost...

Kasterborous Magazine #1

Issue one of Kasterborous Magazine, from the team behind the website, is now available complete with an interview with current Doctor Matt Smith and former companion Karen Gillan who told the magazine

I just feel like I’ve learned actually how to act. When I look back at what I was like as an actress when I first started, I just think I didn’t know anything about acting! Through the show I feel like I’ve learned so much, and I’ve learned so much from Matt Smith as well, just because he is the most inventive actor I’ve ever, ever seen work.

Elton Townend-Jones’ Enlightenment – how should Doctor Who’s 50th be celebrated?
Never a Doctored Word with the Valeyard – the Doctor’s alter ego sets the world to rights.
Interview: Illustrator Paul Hanley – popular artist reveals his inspirations and plans.
The Shape of… The TARDIS – the real star of Doctor Who, the iconic time machine.
Crash of Elysium – Tom Macrae discusses his audacious live Doctor Who play.
My Mate John IS the Doctor! – John Guilor, the voice of the First Doctor, interviewed.
All Monsters Great and Small – Phil Bates meets Matt Smith at the Doctor Who Experience.
In the Shed: With a Dalek Builder! – want to build your own Dalek? Gareth Mugridge is the man to ask!
The History of Doctor Who Fandom – kicking off an in-depth look at organized fandom.
Doctor Who Takes Manhattan – we speak to Matt Smith & Karen Gillan in New York!
The Masque Revisited – 38 years later, a trip to Portmeirion revisits The Masque of Mandragora.

Three stage shows based on the world of Doctor Who fandom are also in preparation for this year's Fringe Festival in Edinburgh.

I Need a Doctor: The Unauthorised Whosical Adventure - Work in Progress
takes place at the Pleasance Theatre London from 27-29 June before moving Edinburgh in August

Doctor-loving nerd Jamie and his companion Jess wrote a musical about their time-travelling hero. Now, they must avoid BBC copyright as they battle with evil exterminators and dancing cyber-gents. Will they manage to escape unscathed? And will they manage to rewrite a whole musical in one hour? Original songs include ‘I Need A Doctor’ and ‘Phonebox of Love’

Who Are You Supposed To Be?
the Edinburgh Fringe Festival from 14-26 August

Classic tale of a boy in a TARDIS t-shirt standing in front of a girl dressed as the Fifth Doctor, asking her to love him... and a girl demanding to know why she can’t be the Doctor or Han Solo or Captain Reynolds. They’d be star-crossed lovers (Wars and Trek, obviously) but they have so much in common - surely they can find the time and space to fall in love? This is a story about wanting to feel safe, to be appreciated and how far we’ll go to find people like us.

Rob Lloyd: Who, Me
the Edinburgh Fringe Festival from 1-25 August

Doctor Who is about to face his greatest challenge: his number one fan. Rob Lloyd (Fan Number One) is putting The Doctor on trial. Is Doctor Who (the television show) guilty of inciting in Rob a debilitating obsession, or shaped him into a well-rounded, mentally-sound member of society? After sell-out seasons at the Melbourne and Adelaide Fringe Festivals plus the Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland and Perth Comedy Festivals, Rob now brings his show to Edinburgh for the first time. Suitable for anyone who has ever been tickled -or tortured - by obsession. Court is now in session.

FILTER: - Fan Productions

Publications Roundup

Saturday, 25 May 2013 - Reported by Chuck Foster

A roundup of some of the independent publications that have recently been published or announced.

Fifty Years in Time and Space: A Short History of Doctor Who (Credit: St Mark's Press)

Fifty Years in Time and Space: A Short History of Doctor Who
by Frank Danes
282 pages, published by St Mark's Press, out now

St Mark’s Press has just released a new, unauthorised, single volume critical history of the programme: "Fifty Years in Time and Space: A Short History of Doctor Who". The author is Frank Danes and the cover is by Roger Langridge, whose work regularly appeared in Doctor Who Magazine.

Frank is Head of English at King’s Ely school in England. He’s written Victorian Literature for Cambridge University Press and those of us with long memories may remember that he co-edited the fanzine Fendahl way back in the late 70s and early 80s. Fifty Years in Time and Space is a well-written, amusing and carefully researched guide.

Frank comments:

I was born in 1965 – on a Saturday, in fact, and just in time to watch ‘Galaxy Four’ episode two. Some of my earliest memories are of watching the programme: I remember my twin brother and I putting our hands over the screen when the Yeti appeared, prompting yells of ‘Get those twins away from the television!’ from my elder brothers. I’ve always been a Doctor Who fan even as I have become (in Terrance Dicks’ words) older, fatter, greyer, but not noticeably wiser.

The book is available direct from St Mark's Press, or from Amazon, Galaxy 4, Who One, The Who Shop and other bookshops.

Celebrate Regenerate (Credit: Celebrate Regenerate/Lewis Christian)

Celebrate Regenerate
edited by Lewis Christian
due for publication 13th July 2013

In order to aid the celebrations of Doctor Who’s 50th anniversary this year, quite an epic-sized group of fans have come together from all over the world to build Celebrate Regenerate, a fan-made (non-profit and unofficial) book, filled with reviews and articles covering every televised story.

At over 300 A4 pages, this doorstop of a book is packed with pieces from over 250+ fan writers, and we’ve even included some fanart too. To top it all, we’ve also bagged a few exclusive interviews with Series 1 director, Joe Ahearne; writer Tom MacRae, and writer Joseph Lidster which will be published alongside some other special features in the book.

The project, now a year in the making, is set to be released on 13th July this year, well in time for the anniversary. We aim to simply add to the growing list of contributions from other fans and writers, and our goal is now to reach out to as many fans as possible to share our finished project.

(Up until 8th July, we’re offering everybody the chance to have their name listed in the book as a 'Companion' too, to make up for them not knowing about this and being able to submit)

This is an non-profit, unauthorised and unofficial fan publication, and will be available for free for download in PDF format; it will also be possible to purchase a physical copy via lulu.com.

For more details, visit the Celebrate Regenerate website and Facebook page.

Liberating Earth, A Faction Paradox Collection
edited by Kate Orman
due for publication by Obverse Books in May 2014

Coming in May 2014 from Obverse Books: Liberating Earth, an anthology of science fiction and fantasy written entirely by women, edited by award-winning Australian author Kate Orman.

In Liberating Earth, rival cousins from the mysterious time-travelling Faction Paradox cult decide our planet should be freed from the human race and placed in better hands. As the cousins ruthlessly compete to create the perfect alternative Earth, history and reality change wildly again and again. Humanity is helpless. Or is it?

SF and fantasy readers and viewers, especially women, are increasingly calling for more work by female writers. Stuart Douglas of Obverse Books has commissioned Liberating Earth in response to that demand.

Editor Kate Orman was the first woman published in the Doctor Who: the New Adventures range of novels, eventually writing and co-writing a total of thirteen Who-related books, as well as publishing original fantasy and science fiction.

Liberating Earth will be printed in hardback and ebook formats in May 2014.

Other recently reported publications include Time and Relative Dimensions in Faith, Time & Space Visualiser: The Story and History of Doctor Who as Data Visualisations, and Companions: 50 Years of Doctor Who Assistants

FILTER: - Fan Productions - Books

Details announced of Splendid Chaps: "Six/Clothes"

Saturday, 25 May 2013 - Reported by Adam Kirk

As previously reported, Splendid Chaps is a year-long performance/podcast project to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who hosted by comedian Ben McKenzie (Dungeon Crawl, Melbourne Museum Comedy Tour) and writer John Richards (ABC1 sitcom Outland, Boxcutters podcast)

Described by its creators as part intellectual panel discussion, part nerdy Tonight Show, Splendid Chaps is a combination of analysis, enthusiasm and irreverence. The first episode went to number 1 on the iTunes TV & Film Podcast chart in Australia, and to number 4 in the UK. The podcasts to the first few episodes are now available at www.splendidchaps.com or at iTunes.

Tickets are now on sale for their 6th Doctor show! Their sixth outing discusses the sometimes controversial Sixth Doctor, played by actor Colin Baker. Better known for playing villains and bullies – including Time Lord Commander Maxil in the Peter Davison story Arc of Infinity - Baker dug into the character’s past, bringing back some of William Hartnell’s arrogance and pomposity in order to offer a different take to his good-natured predecessor. It was a turbulent time to become the Doctor, though, as the show was suspended for 18 months, put on trial by the powers that be, and finally forced to make drastic changes – including firing the lead actor.

Most people, of course, remember Six for that outfit, and so this episode the Splendid Chaps discuss Clothes. Few programs have as broad-ranging a costume design remit, with new worlds, eras and civilisations needing to be created every week. Not to mention that an eccentric Time Lord and his companions need to find clothes that are practical in any situation, from soulless steel corridors to rocky alien landscapes, polar caps and the inside of volcanoes. Oh, and they need to be fashionable in any era… It’s a big ask, and as The Discontinuity Guide reminded us, there were fashion victims as well as triumphs.

Hosts Ben McKenzie, John Richards and Petra Elliott are joined by writer and podcaster Tansy Rayner Roberts (Galactic Suburbia, Verity), and another guest to be announced soon. There will also be a special musical performance, prizes, surprises – and a fashion show! Yes, and Splendid Chaps want to see your best cosplay and Doctor Who related sartorial creations – and there will be prizes on offer.

Space: Agent 284, 284 Smith Street, Collingwood, Melbourne
Time: Saturday 15 June; recording starts 4 PM
Accessibility: Regretfully this venue is not wheelchair accessible.
Tickets: $15 (plus booking fee where applicable)
Bookings: via trybooking.com or at the door (subject to availability)
Podcast: not yet available; released 23 June 2013.

With thanks to John Richards

FILTER: - Special Events - Sixth Doctor - Fan Productions - Colin Baker - Australia

Details announced of Splendid Chaps: "Five/Fear"

Wednesday, 24 April 2013 - Reported by Adam Kirk

With thanks to John Richards

FILTER: - Special Events - Fan Productions - Fifth Doctor - Peter Davison - Australia

Details announced of extra Splendid Chaps "Who and Books"

Monday, 8 April 2013 - Reported by Adam Kirk

(with thanks to John Richards)

FILTER: - Special Events - Fan Productions - Books - Australia

Doctor Who at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Saturday, 23 March 2013 - Reported by Adam Kirk

As previously reported, Splendid Chaps is a year-long performance/podcast project to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who hosted by comedian Ben McKenzie (Dungeon Crawl, Melbourne Museum Comedy Tour) and writer John Richards (ABC1 sitcom Outland, Boxcutters podcast).

Described by its creators as part intellectual panel discussion, part nerdy Tonight Show, Splendid Chaps is a combination of analysis, enthusiasm and irreverence. The first episode went to number 1 on the iTunes TV & Film Podcast chart in Australia, and to number 4 in the UK. The podcasts to the first three episodes are now available at www.splendidchaps.com or at iTunes.

Tickets are now on sale for their two April shows, to be held at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

In part one they'll be joined by ABC3′s Steam Punks host Paul Verhoeven, and late night triple j host and Rove star Dave Callan to discuss Tom Baker's period as the Doctor. In part two's late show, Adam Richard, co-creator and star of Outland, and a fantastic UK comedian they're not allowed to name will discuss the role of Comedy in Doctor Who.

There's also be door prizes, a song, too many scarves and maybe even a Dalek.

Splendid Chaps: A Year Of Doctor Who: "Four/Comedy"
Space: The New Ballroom, corner of Lygon and Victoria Streets, Melbourne.
Time: Part One: April 6, 5:45 PM; Part Two: April 13, 10:45 PM.
Tickets: $22 full price, $18 concession (plus booking fee where applicable).
Bookings: via comedyfestival.com.au, TicketMaster outlets, the Comedy Festival box office, or at the venue (subject to availability) Please note if you book in person at a TicketMaster outlet, you may need to ask for “Ben McKenzie & John Richards”, as “Splendid Chaps” does not appear in the search terms of their system.
Podcast: not yet available; released 23 April 2013.
Accessibility: This venue is wheelchair accessible.

(with thanks to John Richards)

FILTER: - Special Events - Fan Productions - Tom Baker - Fourth Doctor - Australia

The Dr Who 8th Anniversary Special

Friday, 1 March 2013 - Reported by Chuck Foster

The Dr Who 8th Anniversary Special is a follow-up to 2011's The Wonderful Book of Dr Who 1965, this time paying homage to the iconic Radio Times 10th Anniversary Special. Produced by Paul Smith, this volume takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the current series over its eight years, with contributions from a variety of fan writers.

DR WHO ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL

Dr Who, the thrilling television series that follows the adventures of the multi-faced time traveller Dr Who, reaches a very special anniversary this year, one that is a milestone for any drama programme let alone such a completely bonkers one as this. Yes, Dr Who is eight years old!

When Dr Who arrived on our screens in 2005 no one could have predicted what a phenomenon it would become. So to celebrate its continuing popularity eight years on, Wonderful Books has published the DR WHO ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL, a must-have magazine for every fan of Dr Who -- you could call it a 'fan-zine' if such a term existed.

Relive all of Dr Who's astonishing exploits from the very beginning, hardly ever repeated on television since their original broadcast but retold here in all their gripping detail (as well as we can remember them). There are also examinations of each major companion by some of the best writers from among Dr Who's loyal followers, with impressive new artwork. And you can learn exactly how to build your very own Dalek (although we can't take responsibility for the results).

All this for just 530 credits from your nearest Jagrafessian news outlet.

The Special is a 36 page, full colour fanzine which includes a wraparound cover from the toy photographer "Tomfan". Contributors include Andrew Blair, Johnny Candon, Frank Collins, Martin Day, Philip Sandifer, JR Southall, Keith Topping and Alex Wilcock, with artists Jason Fletcher & Westley Smith, Jon Pinto, M Jason Reed, James Taylor, Will Thompson and more.

For more details visit the Wonderful Book Anniversary Special website.

FILTER: - Merchandise - Fan Productions - Books

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