Doctor Who: Worlds of Wonder - updateBookmark and Share

Saturday, 8 October 2022 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Doctor Who: Worlds of Wonder (Credit: Peter Carr)

National Museums Liverpool has seen a surge in retail sales following the launch of the world premiere of the Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder exhibition.

Revealing the science behind Doctor Who, the exhibition itself landed in Liverpool this May at the World Museum – creating huge demand for memorabilia from the hit TV show. A pop-up Doctor Who store at the city centre venue and online shop has sold more than 11,000 items since it launched – making history for National Museums Liverpool as its fastest selling retail range.

Memorabilia designed especially for the exhibition and classic gadgets are among the most in-demand items, including an exclusive Gallifreyan alphabet artwork.

Karen O’Connor, National Museums Liverpool’s Director of Commercial Enterprises, said:

Bringing the world premiere of the Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder exhibition to Liverpool has been an amazing experience and is proving very popular – attracting fans from around the UK, as well as international visitors to the city. We have created a special Doctor Who shop for the duration of the exhibition and hadn’t anticipated how much demand there would be for exclusive items, classic memorabilia and gadgets. Our retail team have been extremely busy – in our shop and with online sales – it’s made history as our fastest selling range.


Helen Dickey, from the retail team at National Museums Liverpool, added:

Bringing with it nearly 60 years of TV history, Doctor Who spans generations – and it’s been hard to keep up with demand from both kids and adults for many of our products.

As well as hosting the world premiere of the Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder exhibition, National Museums Liverpool’s venues have also starred as the backdrop for 79, following filming at the Museum of Liverpool with cast members John Bishop and Nadia Albina last year.

National Museums Liverpool looks after some of the most visited museums in England outside of London. It relies on funding, as well as membership, donations and income from retail, venue hire, events and filming, to keep its attractions and the work it does in the community running.

Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder has been extended until 6 November at the World Museum. More information on available at liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/doctorwho

 


 

The online shop ihas a number of exclusive Doctor Who items, a couple of which include:

 

Doctor Who: Worlds of Wonder - merchandise - Gallifreyan alphabet mounted ptintGallifreyan alphabet mounted print

 

For those fascinated by the Gallifreyan language spoken by the Time Lords, this specially created mounted print has been made exclusively for the Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder exhibition. 

Doctor Who: Worlds of Wonder - merchandise - t-shirtsTardis T-shirt

 

A collection of exclusive T-shirts and hoodies have been designed for the exhibition. This navy T-shirt for adults, with exclusive Tardis design printed on the front has been one of the favourites 





FILTER: - Exhibitions - Merchandise

The Doctor Lands in LiverpoolBookmark and Share

Thursday, 26 May 2022 - Reported by Marcus
Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder (Credit: BBC / Robin Clewley)

The exhibition Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder has opened at World Museum in Liverpool, where it will run from 27 May – 30 October 2022.

This ground-breaking new exhibition explores the science behind Doctor Who and gives fans a chance to experience the Doctor’s adventures from a scientific perspective.

Produced by leading experiential design experts Sarner International under license from BBC Studios, this new exhibition plunges fans of all ages into a scientific universe to explore the ways in which science has played a part in the longest-running science fiction show in the world, Doctor Who. The eight zones set within this educational exhibition cover a diverse selection of exciting scientific topics while drawing in content from across the full canon of the TV show.

Through a range of hands-on immersive experiences and interactive content, visitors can journey through Cosmic Curiosities, while discovering more about the time-traveling Police Box in the TARDIS Tech room, learning about the science behind time travel and whether it really is

possible, or get up close with some of the weird and wonderful characters that have graced our screens in the Monster Vault. The exhibition gives visitors the chance to engage with rare, behind-the-scenes artifacts some of which have been procured from the BBC’s own archive.

VIP contributors to the exhibition include narration from Doctor Who writer and co-creator of BBC’s Sherlock Mark Gatiss, Space Scientist and presenter of BBC’s The Sky At Night Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, and Zoë Wanamaker CBE, reprising her role as the iconic Lady Cassandra for the first time since 2006.

Fiona Philpott, Director of Exhibitions at National Museums Liverpool, said:

We’re thrilled to be welcoming the world premiere of Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder to World Museum. We’re so lucky to be the first museum in the world to host this must-see experience, which offers exclusive insight for Doctor Who buffs, science fiction fans and anybody else with a curious mind.

Visitors to the exhibition can also travel through space and time at World Museum’s immersive Planetarium and continue their explorations into the biodiversity of our planet with our Natural History & Sciences galleries. Come to Liverpool to experience this exhibition before anybody else!”

Ed Cookson, Projects Director, Sarner International:

For almost 60 years Doctor Who has been exploring mind-bending scientific developments. The iconic characters, monsters, stories, and settings of the television series provide a perfect guide through the wondrous worlds of space, time and science.

Doctor Who has a strong connection to Liverpool. Earlier this year, John Bishop joined an impressive list of Liverpool-born actors to appear on the show. The legendary Tom Baker, who grew up on Scotland Road, played the Fourth Doctor in the mid-1970s, assisted by Liverpool actress Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith. Paul McGann, of the famous Liverpool acting dynasty, played the Eighth Doctor in a one-off TV film in 1996, later reprising his role in a short film for the BBC Studios series’ 50th anniversary in 2013. And in 2008, Kensington-born David Morrissey played The Next Doctor in a Christmas special alongside David Tennant’s Tenth Doctor.

A special Liverpool Connections area within the exhibition delve deeper into the links between the classic TV show and the city of Liverpool. Not only can visitors discover more about the many Merseyside stars who have featured in Doctor Who - from Sir Ken Dodd OBE to John Bishop – but this area will also explore the surprising tale of when the Beatles almost met the Daleks, and the story behind the “Mad Mole” of Edge Hill Joseph Williamson’s inclusion in Season 13 of the TV show.

Adult tickets are priced at £14 in advance or £16 on the day - concession rates apply. Tickets for members are free.

In addition to free entry to the exhibition, members receive limitless free entry to all other exhibitions, discounts in our shops and cafes and invitations to exclusive events.

For further information and to book, visit liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/doctorwho

 

Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder (Credit: BBC / Robin Clewley)Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder (Credit: BBC / Robin Clewley)Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder (Credit: BBC / Robin Clewley)Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder (Credit: BBC / Robin Clewley)Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder (Credit: BBC / Robin Clewley)Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder (Credit: BBC / Robin Clewley)Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder (Credit: BBC / Robin Clewley)Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder (Credit: BBC / Robin Clewley)Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder (Credit: BBC / Robin Clewley)Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder (Credit: BBC / Robin Clewley)Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder (Credit: BBC / Robin Clewley)Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder (Credit: BBC / Robin Clewley)Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder (Credit: BBC / Robin Clewley)Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder (Credit: BBC / Robin Clewley)Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder (Credit: BBC / Robin Clewley)





FILTER: - Exhibitions

Doctor Who Worlds of WonderBookmark and Share

Friday, 6 May 2022 - Reported by Marcus
Dalek in World Museum (Credit: Pete Carr)

A new blockbuster exhibition Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder, will be coming to Liverpool this summer.

The exhibition, at World Museum from 27 May, will include contributions from stars across the fields of science and entertainment, along with the opportunity to find out more about the many links between Liverpool and the long-running sci-fi show

Mark Gatiss – co-creator of BBC’s Sherlock and writer of several episodes of Doctor Who – will narrate the exhibition, guiding visitors through space and time. 

So many people who have gone on to work in science have had their interest piqued by watching Doctor Who, and one of the amazing things about the show is its ability to make us wonder. I’m thrilled to be part of the exhibition and I do hope as many curiously minded people as possible take the opportunity to visit. 

Space scientist, author and presenter of BBC’s The Sky at Night Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE will provide expert analysis and explore the mind-blowing science behind the TV show, through interactive “Ask a Scientist” sections located throughout the exhibition.

As a child, Science Fiction played a critical role in my life and inspired me to become a Space Scientist - it allows us to explore tales of wonder and shows us the possibilities for the future and how science fiction can become science fact. I hope the Dr Who Exhibition – and my contribution to it – will inspire, inform and excite everyone in the same way.

Zoë Wanamaker CBE will be reprising her Doctor Who role, lending her voice to an exhibit all about her iconic character Lady Cassandra O’Brien - the last ‘pure’ human who became obsessed with a warped idea of perfection through surgery.

Visitors will also be able to delve into the classic set designs of the original series, as well as the incredible special effects and makeup design that bring the show to life – all from scientists, designers and producers who have worked on Doctor Who. 

Tardis lands at World Museum (Credit: Gareth Jones)National Museums Liverpool can also reveal the inclusion of a special Liverpool Connections area within the exhibition – delving deeper into the links between the classic TV show and the city of Liverpool.

Not only can visitors discover more about the many Merseyside stars who have featured in Doctor Who - from Sir Ken Dodd OBE to John Bishop – but this area will also explore the surprising tale of when the Beatles almost met the Daleks and the story behind the “Mad Mole” of Edge Hill Joseph Williamson’s inclusion in Season 13 of the TV show. 

Fiona Philpott, Director of Exhibitions at National Museums Liverpool, said:

We’re thrilled to announce a small taste of what visitors can expect at the world premiere of Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder, and we can’t think of anywhere more fitting than Liverpool to host it. There is truly something for everyone within the exhibition – from science-fiction fans to families, and from Doctor Who buffs to those who simply have a curious mind. The behind-the-scenes knowledge that the contributors bring to the exhibition is mind-blowing.

Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder will open on 27 May and tickets are available now. Adult tickets are priced at £14 in advance or £16 on the day - concession rates apply. Tickets for members are free. In addition to free entry to the exhibition, members receive limitless free entry to all other exhibitions, discounts in our shops and cafes and invitations to exclusive events.  

 

For further information and to book, visit liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/doctorwho





FILTER: - Exhibitions

Blackpool RevisitedBookmark and Share

Wednesday, 1 September 2021 - Reported by Marcus
Blackpool Revisited

A new ebook looking at the history of the famous Doctor Who Exhibitions at Blackpool. has just been released. 

Blackpool Revisited is the follow-up to the hugely popular Blackpool Remembered, which was released last year. 

This new book charts the history of Doctor Who exhibitions in Blackpool – the original exhibition which ran from 1974 to 1985 and David Boyle’s Doctor Who Museum, which ran from 2004 to 2009.

With an exclusive foreword by Lorne Martin, this ebook is available to download for free.

The reaction to the first book inspired us to do another – this time even bigger, at over 600 pages, with content from over 90 contributors. As well as more memories and nostalgia from the original exhibition, we take a detailed journey through the Doctor Who Museum, alongside a look at the life of its curator (and Dapol founder), the late David Boyle. We also look at the Blackpool Illuminations, Edwin Hall Dalek rides, Sevans Models, Dapol toys, the Whomobile, interviews with artists Andrew Skilleter, Rod Vass and Graham Potts plus much more!
 
 
 
 
The book and its predecessor can be downloaded from here

 

 

 

Blackpool Revisited Blackpool Revisited





FILTER: - Exhibitions

New Doctor Who Exhibition Planned for CardiffBookmark and Share

Sunday, 11 November 2018 - Reported by Marcus

A new Doctor Who Exhibition is being planned for the Welsh Capital by BBC Studios in association with Cardiff Council.

The new Experience is currently in development at Cardiff Castle, in the centre of the city, and due to be operational by the summer of 2019.

Cardiff previously hosted a Doctor Who Exhibition at a location near the TV studios where Doctor Who is made. It closed in 2017 leaving Cardiff council taxpayers with a £1.1 million pound bill.

The new location contains a medieval Norman castle as well as a Victorian Gothic revival mansion and is located in the heart of the city.

Although BBC Worldwide have said there are no plans for a Doctor Who exhibition in Cardiff, the item is listed on the agenda of the Cardiff Council Cabinet this Thursday.





FILTER: - Exhibitions

Doctor Who Experience leaves Cardiff with £1 Million BillBookmark and Share

Friday, 23 February 2018 - Reported by Marcus
Doctor Who Experience Logo - 2014Cardiff council taxpayers have been left with a 1.1 million pound bill following the closure of the Doctor Who Experience, which ran in the city for five years.

The building housing the experience was built by Cardiff City Council, using money from the Welsh Government's Invest to Save Fund, which provides financial support, on a competitive and repayable basis, to public service organisations across Wales. The cost of £2.4 million, was intended to be repaid by receiving a percentage of the exhibition ticket sales. However, it appears that ticket sales were not sufficient for the council to cover its costs, leaving ratepayers to pick up the shortfall.

Councillor Russell Goodway, Cardiff's cabinet member for investment and development, said
In 2011 when the deal was done to subsidise the Doctor Who attraction in order to bring it to Cardiff, the then-administration worked on the basis of ambitious projections for visitor numbers. Unfortunately the projected visitor numbers failed to materialise leaving the shortfall which should have been made up in ticket sales. This has left the council having to make up the £1.1m which will have to be absorbed by the council's budget. We are, however, working on plans for the building with the Welsh Government although nothing has yet been finalised.
The building, next door to the BBC Studios at Cardiff Bay, has been empty since the exhibition closed last September.

A spokeswoman for BBC Worldwide said:
The Doctor Who Experience was enjoyed by fans for five years in Cardiff Bay during its lease with Cardiff Council.The lease ran for its full, five year term and there was no additional loan agreement. We cannot comment on Cardiff Council's own business plan in relation to the site.
Adrian Robson, leader of the Conservative opposition on Cardiff Council said:
I still don't know how we managed to lose over a million pounds on Doctor Who. Somewhere the council and [BBC Worldwide] have not got their projections right for visitor numbers. It's very strange because this is a global brand.
Thanks to Laura Clements




FILTER: - Doctor Who - Exhibitions

Doctor Who Experience to CloseBookmark and Share

Monday, 7 November 2016 - Reported by Marcus
BBC Worldwide have confirmed that the Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff is expected to close next year.

BBC Worldwide told Doctor Who News that the lease for the building that holds the exhibition, which opened in Cardiff in July 2012, will expire next summer.
The Doctor Who Experience has enjoyed a fantastic five-year run in Cardiff Bay but, sadly, our five-year sub-lease from the City of Cardiff Council will come to an end in Summer 2017
The Doctor Experience opened in London in 2011, before moving to a purpose-built building in the Welsh capital. It is currently situated at Porth Teigr, Cardiff Bay, near the BBC studios where Doctor Who is made.

The site is leased from Cardiff City Council and currently features sets and costumes from the 54-year history of Doctor Who. It is not known if BBC Worldwide will attempt to open the Experience at a different location.

An online petition has been launched to try to save the Experience, as well as a twitter account.




FILTER: - Exhibitions

Doctor Who Experience over the Bank Holiday weekBookmark and Share

Tuesday, 24 May 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff have announced themes and events that will take place over the course of the Bank Holiday week (Saturday 28th May through to Saturday 4th June):

  • The costume worn by new sidekick Bill, as played by Pearl Mackie in the special introduction broadcast in April will be on display for a limited time.
  • The TARDIS memorial for Clara created by Rigsy, seen in the closing moments of Face The Raven, will also be on display.
  • The original Davros prop from his premiere story Genesis of the Daleks has been restored, and is presented with details from visual and model effects designer Mike Tucker who undertook the restoration (including the unearthing of the earliest head casts).
  • Millennium FX will be on-hand to part-transform visitors into Zygons! (31st May/1st June)
  • Visitors are encouraged to cosplay as their favourite companion in order to celebrate the exhibition's Companion Week (and share through social media via @DW_Experience and #BeTheCompanion

For full details visit the Doctor Who Experience website.


Bill's costume at the Doctor Who Experience (Late May Bank Holiday 2016) (Credit: Doctor Who Experience/BBC Worldwide) Clara Memorial TARDIS at the Doctor Who Experience (Late May Bank Holiday 2016) (Credit: Doctor Who Experience/BBC Worldwide) Genesis Davros at the Doctor Who Experience (Late May Bank Holiday 2016) (Credit: Doctor Who Experience/BBC Worldwide)




FILTER: - Exhibitions - UK

Targetting 28th AprilBookmark and Share

Friday, 22 April 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster
As reported in February, BBC Books are to republish a number of Doctor Who novelisations that were originally part of the Target range.

To tie in with their release on the 28th April, the Cartoon Museum in London is to hold an exhibition featuring original artwork from the range:

An exhibition of original cover artwork to coincide with the reissue of these iconic books. Featuring over 30 pieces, including the covers from six of the new reissues, this is the first time that the artwork has been publicly exhibited. The exhibition will also include over ten covers by Chris Achilleos from The Daleks through to Revenge of the Cybermen, over 15 covers by Andrew Skilleter from Destiny of the Daleks through to The Mark of the Rani and other classic and well-loved original cover artwork such by Roy Knipe, Jeff Cummins, David McAlister and Tony Masero.

The exhibition will run between the 28th April and 11th May.

To celebrate the revived interest in what was an essential part of Doctor Who fan reading in the 1970s, 80s and 90s, Telos have announced that they will be re-publishing an updated version of David J Howe and Tim Neal's guide to the entire range, also on the 28th April:

The Target Book (Credit: Telos Publishing)The Target Book
By David J Howe with Tim Neal
Published 28th April 2016

A new edition of the popular and acclaimed guide to the Doctor Who Target paperback range of novelisations. With an additional Appendix covering Audio and the recent BBC reprints of the books.

From 1973 until 1994, the Target Doctor Who paperbacks were a mainstay of the publishing world. From humble beginnings, they grew into a list running to 156 individual titles and selling over 13 million copies world-wide.

This is the definitive guide to the range.

176pp. Large format 22cm x 28cm hardback. Fully illustrated in full colour throughout.
David J Howe told us:
I was always very proud of THE TARGET BOOK - combining a lifetime's love of the books with the artwork and the history of the range - so it's brilliant that we can finally get it back into print again. The issue was always that, as a full colour, large format book, it was expensive to print, so we had to wait for technology to catch up so that it could be printed at a price which worked! I can't wait to see the finished edition!
The book is available to pre-order from the Telos website.


Forbidden Planet in London will also be holding a book signing on the 23rd April between 1:00pm-2:00pm, featuring the authors Terrance Dicks, Eric Saward, and cover illustrator Chris Achilleos.


Meanwhile, as well as their literary form, the Target novelisations continue to be released as audiobooks, read by well-known personalities in the Doctor Who world; coming up in the next few months are Death To The Daleks (written by Terrance Dicks and read by Jon Culshaw), The Invasion (Ian Marter, David Troughton), The King's Demons (Terence Dudley, Mark Strickson), The Claws of Axos (Terrance Dicks) and The Sontaran Experiment (Ian Marter).





FILTER: - Books - Exhibitions

Series Nine exhibits arrive at the Doctor Who ExperienceBookmark and Share

Wednesday, 9 March 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff has now been updated to feature props and costumes from the latest series of Doctor Who, shown last year, including the Christmas Special, The Husbands of River Song. Costumes include those worn by the Doctor, Clara, River Song and Ashildr, alongside monsters such as the Mire, Sandmen, the Veil, and Colony Sarff. Displays also include sets such as the Davros Hospital Room and Trap Street.

Davros's Hospital Room, at the Doctor Who Experience (Credit: BBC Worldwide) Davros's Hospital Room, at the Doctor Who Experience (Credit: BBC Worldwide)
Trap Street, at the Doctor Who Experience 2016 (Credit: BBC Worldwide) The Osgood Box, at the Doctor Who Experience 2016 (Credit: BBC Worldwide)

(with thanks to BBC Worldwide)




FILTER: - Doctor Who Experience - Exhibitions - Series 9/35