Doctor Who Script for AuctionBookmark and Share

Friday, 31 January 2014 - Reported by Marcus
A shooting script from Doctor Who series four is being offered for auction to raise money for the National Literacy Trust.

The signed script was used by actor Steve Pemberton who played Strackman Lux in the two-part 2008 story Silence in the Library / Forest of the Dead.

The script is dated 11 January 2008 and signed by Pemberton.

The National Literacy Trust works to improve the reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in the UK's most disadvantaged communities, where up to 40 per cent of people have literacy problems.

Bids can be made at the NLT auction website.




FILTER: - Series 4/30 - Auctions

An Adventure in Space and Time: soundtrack albumBookmark and Share

Thursday, 30 January 2014 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Silva Screen have announced the track listing and release date for Edmund Butt's score from the 50th Anniversary drama An Adventure in Space and Time.

An Adventure in Space and Time (Credit: Silva Screen)An Adventure in Space And Time
Release Date: 3rd March 2014 (pre-order)

Composed by Edmund Butt
Performed by The Chamber Orchestra of London
Conducted & orchestrated by Geoff Alexander
Recorded at Abbey Road Studios "Studio 1" London

“It’s a sea of fag smoke, tweed and sweaty men”
Verity Lambert, first producer of Doctor Who.
 
This special one-off drama that travels back to 1963 to see how Doctor Who was first brought to the screen. Actor William Hartnell felt trapped by a succession of hard-man roles. Wannabe producer Verity Lambert was frustrated by the TV industry's glass ceiling. Both of them were to find unlikely hope and unexpected challenges in the form of a Saturday tea-time drama. Allied with a team of unusual but brilliant people, they went on to create the longest running science fiction series ever made.

Composer Edmund Butt is well known for scores for Sea of Souls, Murphy’s Law, Mistresses, Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes. He is the Winner of the 2011 RTS Award for Best Television Score for Garrow’s Law. In 2012 Ed was nominated for RTS Award for Best Original Title Theme for Without You.

Writer Mark Gatiss comments:
Making ‘Adventure’ was a wonderful experience. The whole team were absolutely dedicated to the project, going the extra mile (or parsec) to create that smoggy early 60s world where so much seemed (and was) suddenly possible. And none more so than Edmund Butt whose gorgeous score is one of the highlights of the film. I’ve been completely overwhelmed by the response to the film. It was a very special project from the outset and I know Ed’s soundtrack will continue to thrill and delight for, well, the rest of space and time...

The booklet for this release is reversible to allow the display of a separate cover featuring alternative promotional material.

Track Listing

  1. MAIN TITLE - AN ADVENTURE IN SPACE AND TIME (0:38)
  2. THE RIGHT MAN (1:17)
  3. THE FIRST WOMAN PRODUCER (1:21)
  4. I’VE GOT AN IDEA.. (1:34)
  5. THE DALEKS (2:52)
  6. KILL DR. WHO (1:48)
  7. WHAT DIMENSION? (1:24)
  8. THIS IS MY SHOW (1:50)
  9. AUTOGRAPH HUNTING (2:31)
  10. SYDNEY NEWMAN (1:00)
  11. SCARLETT O'HARA (1:03)
  12. PISS & VINEGAR (1:24)
  13. DRESSING ROOM (1:18)
  14. JFK ASSASSINATED (1:48)
  15. THE TARDIS (0:57)
  16. GOODBYE SUSAN (2:37)
  17. 10 MILLION VIEWERS (0:57)
  18. THE FANS (0:41)
  19. I’M SO SORRY BILL (2:45)
  20. KISS GOODBYE (1:05)
  21. MY SUCCESSOR (1:06)
  22. ISOP GALAXY (0:50)
  23. IRREPLACEABLE (1:19)
  24. THE NEW DOCTOR (3:55)
  25. TIME’S UP.. (1:15)

A BBC Music / BBC Worldwide Production




FILTER: - Music - WHO50

Fan RoundupBookmark and Share

Wednesday, 29 January 2014 - Reported by Marcus
Diary of Doctor Who Role-Playing Games - Issue 21

This 382-page issue of the Diary of Doctor Who Role Playing Games (DDWRPG) is a special issue that looks at and reprints the first ever Doctor Who RPG fanzine "Time Meddlers". The issue features all nine original issues of that fanzine, plus an interview with co-founder Steven Dieter. There are also two living dungeon scenarios, DWAiTS sourcebook reviews, many event news reports, and much more.

The next issue will look at the Third Doctor, Sontarans, and the Paternoster Gang. There is still lots of opportunity to contribute. Submissions are welcome.

The issue can be downloaded from the website.
Plaything of Sutekh - Issue 3

Issue 3 of 'Plaything of Sutekh' features:
  • Don't Shoot - He's British! - Matt Kilburn looks at the cultural influences on the Doctor's identity.
  • Matt Finish - John Connors looks at 2013's new episodes and Matt Smith's departure
  • Messiah! - Greg Bartlem looks at the changing depiction of the Doctor in the post-2005 series
  • Seasonal Gear Changes - Jez Strickley spots similarities between Terror of the Zygons and The Seeds of Doom.
  • Pat's Back - Were they worth the wait? A look at the two recently recovered Troughtons.
  • Secret Who - underrated stories Enlightenment and The Invisible Enemy
  • DWDVD - a new angle on stories recently released on DVD The Tenth Planet and The Mind of Evil
  • The Liverpool Connection, David Whitaker's Dalek novel, the return of the Eighth and more
Issue 3 is 40 A5 pages, fully illustrated with colour covers. Details of how to order can be found on the blog along with availability of back issues
Fanfilm: The Imperfect World

The Spanish Doctor Who fanfilm The Imperfect World (original title El Mundo Imperfecto) now has English subtitles and can be viewed worldwide on youtube. It's a 43-minute multi-Doctor story that takes place in present-day Barcelona.

It was made with the support of the Spanish Doctor Who fan society Asociación Planeta Gallifrey to commemorate the 50th anniversary, premièring on 30th November 2013 at Doctor Who Day in Barcelona and at Tea&TARDIS in Madrid.

Their video channel contains several extras, including a short prequel (also with English subtitles) and a trailer.

Writer and director Sergi Páez says: "This is a gift from fans for fans, with all the affection in the world."


The Spanish magazine ScifiWorld dedicated issue 66 to Doctor Who as a tribute for its 50th anniversary. Since that issue was quickly sold out, they're now offering a free PDF download of it on their website.
50 Years of Doctor Who: Preachrs Podcast Live 2

A brand new celebration of 50 Years of TV’s favourite Time Lord, The Doctor comes to Adelaide next month. Benjamin Maio Mackay and Rob Lloyd are Doctor Who’s biggest fans and are kidnapped by the Dalek's creator Davros. Their task is to explain to the Daleks, (whose memories have been wiped) all about the Doctor, his friends and his greatest enemies.

Benjamin Maio Mackay is the host and owner of Preachrs Podcast, a podcast about Dr Who that recently surpassed 25 million hits. Mackay was also a host on the ABC Radio Dr Who Pop Up station created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who. After appearing on radio and TV about Doctor Who numerous times ABC online named him SA’s biggest fan!

Rob Lloyd is a Melbourne based comedian, actor and Whovian, best known for his solo show “Who, Me”. Lloyd joined MacKay as a guest host on the podcast in 2012 and joined him in the 2013 tour of 50 Years of Doctor Who: Preachrs Podcast Live.”

The new show will feature special pre-recorded appearances from: Terry Molloy as Davros, Nicholas Briggs as the Daleks, Simon Fisher-Becker as Dorium Maldovar and Richard Franklin as Mike Yates.

Ths show runs from 14th-16th February at 7.30pm, with matinees at 2pm on 15th and 16th February, at the Box Factory Community Centre, Adelaide.




FILTER: - Fan Productions - Spain - Australia

Davison Down UnderBookmark and Share

Wednesday, 29 January 2014 - Reported by Marcus
Fifth Doctor Peter Davison will be making a number of special appearances at ABC shops in the next couple of weeks.

The actor is in the country to host the Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular. He will be making a special appearance at the shops, where he will be signing Doctor Who merchandise. Please note the number of items that can be signed will be limited due to time restrictions. See here for further details. Each appearance will be for 90 minutes.
  • Friday 31 January: 10.30am to 12pm - ABC Shop Chadstone
  • Tuesday 4 February: 10.30am to 12pm - ABC Shop Brisbane
  • Tuesday 11 February: 11.30am to 1pm - ABC Shop QVB Sydney
  • Wednesday 12 February: 11.30am to 1pm - ABC Shop Macquarie - North Ryde




FILTER: - Peter Davison - Australia

Doctor Who Adventures - Issue 338Bookmark and Share

Wednesday, 29 January 2014 - Reported by Marcus
The latest issue of Doctor Who Adventures discovers the secrets of The Silence.

The issue includes the third and final token for the chance to win a real life-size Dalek. If you've missed a token don't worry as there's a bonus one in issue 339.

Plus:
  • Which is scarier? Monstrous and massive or teeny and terrifying – readers can decide for themselves with the help of the monster feature.
  • What kind of companion are you? Take our fun quiz to find out.
  • Win your very own Doctor Who bedroom makeover.
  • Make a Zygon mask to scare your mates.
  • Secrets from the set of The Day of the Doctor
All this plus the latest news, posters, puzzles and a new comic strip featuring an unseen adventure with the Eleventh Doctor and Clara.

Issue 338 is on sale from 29th January to 11th February and comes with a paint-your-own-monster magnet set as a free gift.




FILTER: - Magazines - DWA

Twelfth Doctor costume revealedBookmark and Share

Monday, 27 January 2014 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The BBC have released the first promotional image of the costume for the Twelfth Doctor, as played by Peter Capaldi.

The Twelfth Doctor costume revealed (Credit: BBC/Steve Brown)

Commenting on his costume, Capaldi said:
He's woven the future from the cloth of the past. Simple, stark, and back to basics. No frills, no scarf, no messing, just 100 per cent Rebel Time Lord.
Lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat added:
New Doctor, new era, and of course new clothes. Monsters of the universe, the vacation is over - Capaldi is suited and booted and coming to get you!
Charlotte Moore, Controller of BBC One, commented:
Peter Capaldi's Doctor is officially recorded in history today with the unveiling of his new costume. It's sharp, smart and stylish - The Twelfth Time Lord means business.




FILTER: - Steven Moffat - Twelfth Doctor - Peter Capaldi - Press

Big Finish win Drama AwardBookmark and Share

Sunday, 26 January 2014 - Reported by Marcus
Big Finish at the BBC Audio Drama Awards 2014 (Credit: Big Finish)Big Finish Productions won the award for Best Online or Non-Broadcast Audio drama at the 2014 BBC Audio Drama Awards this evening.

The award is for Dark Eyes, a four-part story written and directed by Nicholas Briggs and starring Paul McGann as the Doctor. The drama also featured Ruth Bradley as Molly O'Sullivan and Peter Egan as Straxus, as well as the Daleks, with Briggs providing the Dalek voices, as he does for the TV series.

The awards pay tribute to the cultural importance of audio drama, on air and online, and are intended to give recognition to the actors, writers, producers, sound designers and others who work in the genre.

In addition, Claire Rushbrook was voted Best Supporting Actress in an Audio Drama for her portrayal of Jules in the BBC Radio 3 production King David.

This year's winners were announced at a ceremony in the Radio Theatre at BBC Broadcasting House in central London, hosted by Lenny Henry and BBC Director General Tony Hall.

The Awards cover audio dramas first broadcast in English in the UK between 1 October 2012 and 31 October 2013 – or first uploaded/published for free listening online in the UK during the same period.




FILTER: - Awards/Nominations - Big Finish

People RoundupBookmark and Share

Saturday, 25 January 2014 - Reported by John Bowman
Christopher Eccleston is to portray an English scientist in the Sky Atlantic crime drama Fortitude - a 12-episode series centring on a murder in the eponymous Arctic Circle town where there has been no violent crime beforehand. Joining him for the show - to be shot in Iceland and the UK and shown later this year - are Michael Gambon as a wildlife photographer who is terminally ill and Jessica Raine playing the wife of the town's main search-and-rescue pilot. [Radio Times, 24 Jan 2014]

John Barrowman is to present the new Channel 4 daytime series Superstar Dogs in the run-up to Crufts. It will see dogs and their owners competing in a number of challenges, with the eventual winner being crowned at the dog show in March. He said: "I have a passion for animals, dogs in particular, so I am hugely excited to be part of a sporting event for dogs and their owners that encourages teamwork, competitive spirit and a large dose of fun and laughter! Having dogs myself, I know the determination, love and commitment you need to train them - it's not easy!" Recording is taking place at MediaCity, Salford Quays from Tuesday 28th to Thursday 30th January, with tickets currently available from Applause Store. (NB: Minimum age is 16.) [Channel 4, 15 Jan 2014]

The BBC One daytime drama Father Brown - starring Mark Williams as the eponymous crime-solving priest - has been recommissioned for a third series. Made by BBC Birmingham Drama Village, it is based on the G K Chesterton stories. The new run of 15 45-minute episodes will begin shooting in and around the Cotswolds later this year. Damian Kavanagh, the controller of BBC Daytime, said: "I'm extremely proud that Father Brown has become an appointment-to-view programme on BBC One afternoons. The production team and Mark Williams have done a fantastic job bringing Father Brown to life and I'm delighted that our viewers share my enthusiasm for the series." [BBC Media Centre, 22 Jan 2014]

Richard Wilson is to appear in the one-man play Krapp's Last Tape, by Samuel Beckett, from Wednesday 25th June to Saturday 19th July at The Crucible in Sheffield, where he is an associate director for Sheffield Theatres at its studio space there. [The Stage, 20 Jan 2014]

The actor Bill Nighy has been shortlisted for one of the British Animation Awards. He has been nominated for his voice work on the 10-minute drama The Hungry Corpse, whose senior executive producer Rankin took the official portrait of Peter Capaldi for his unveiling as the new Doctor. The ceremony will be held at the BFI Southbank on Friday 7th March. [BBC News, 22 Jan 2014]

And speaking of Peter Capaldi, the actor Jason Flemyng - who will be guest-starring as baddie Vadim opposite Capaldi's Cardinal Richelieu in the BBC One drama The Musketeers tomorrow - reckons he will be "amazing" as the Doctor. Flemyng - the son of Gordon Flemyng who directed the two Dalek films in the 1960s - has a pedigree of appearing with forthcoming Doctors. Capaldi was filming The Musketeers when he got the role, and Flemyng said: "One minute I was working with Peter playing the Cardinal and the next, I was working with Doctor Who. That was quite surprising when he got the Doctor Who gig while we were in the middle of it. When I did The Quatermass Experiment, David Tennant came in one morning and was Doctor Who as well so it seems to be something strange, like I'm a lucky (charm). Always the bridesmaid, never the bride." He said Capaldi would "smash it. He's going to be amazing. He's so talented." Flemyng was less favourably disposed towards the Daleks, though. "Until they stop the Daleks flying and put them back in the spaceship, which is where they're meant to land, then I shall be keeping away from Doctor Who. It's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Much as I love the show, suddenly the Daleks start flying and I thought, 'That's silly,'" he said. [Wales Online, 25 Jan 2014]

A poster and trailer for the forthcoming horror film Oculus starring Karen Gillan have been released. The film, which sees Gillan portray the character Kaylie Russell, who is trying to clear her twin brother of murdering their parents by proving it was supernatural forces in a mirror at their childhood home, opens in America on Friday 11th April but has yet to receive a release date for the UK. (NB: The trailer has been approved for appropriate audiences by the Motion Picture Association of America.)


In Memoriam

The actor Jerome Willis, who played the memorable villain Stevens in The Green Death, has died aged 85. He notched up well over 100 screen credits during his career, including the leading role of Matthew Peele in ITV drama The Sandbaggers and as Oliver Cromwell in the BBC drama Woodstock. Other notable series Willis appeared in included Z-Cars, Within These Walls, Freewheelers, The Avengers, Danger Man, Adam Adamant Lives!, Callan, Doomwatch, The Caesars, Poirot, and sci-fi drama Space Precinct. An accomplished stage actor, he was a member of the RSC in the 20th and 21st centuries, and in 2002 penned a piece for The Guardian describing the differences he encountered between then and the 1950s. Films that he appeared in included Siege of the Saxons and Winstanley. The DVD of The Green Death - first released in 2004 as a one-disc version and, since last August, also available as a two-disc special edition - saw Willis reprise the role of Stevens in the spoof documentary Global Conspiracy?, which was included as one of the extras. An announcement of his death was published in The Guardian on 17th January that read as follows:
WILLIS, Jerome Barry (23 Oct 1928), died peacefully on 11 January 2014. Loved and missed by his darling wife Dilys, daughters Sarah, Megan, Grania and Kate, sisters Nuala and Fiona, and his six adored granddaughters. Funeral private. A memorial service will be held at a later date.




FILTER: - People - Theatre - Karen Gillan - Awards/Nominations - Christopher Eccleston - John Barrowman

The Science of Doctor Who comes to AustraliaBookmark and Share

Friday, 24 January 2014 - Reported by Marcus
RiAus, Australia’s national science hub, in collaboration with BBC Worldwide, is to bring a live stage event exploring scientific mysteries raised by Doctor Who, to the five main cities of Australia later this year.

The show will use scenes from the series and look at time travel, regeneration, teleportation and just why the TARDIS is bigger on the inside. Hosted by comedian Rob Lloyd, it features eminent scientists, who also happen to be Doctor Who fans, exploring some of the science-reality behind the fiction.

On the team is Dr Martin White, a particle astrophysicist at the University of Adelaide, Dr Allie Ford, a science communicator at Monash University, Dr Alan Duffy, an astrophysicist at the University of Melbourne and David Jennens, a physicist from the University of Melbourne working at the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland. Audiences are encouraged to bring along their smartphones and join in the fun and will get an opportunity to decide which Doctor Who alien will take over the universe.

Helen Pendlebury, head of Entertainment for BBC Worldwide ANZ comments
2013 was a huge year for Doctor Who fans with the 50th Anniversary celebrations. We're excited to be working with RiAus in bringing this new interactive and educational live show to audiences around the country. We're hoping fans will come away, not only entertained, but also informed by some of the scientific theories explored in Doctor Who storylines
RiAus is dedicated to promoting public awareness and understanding of science in Australia. The director, Dr Paul Willis, said
This will give everyone something to talk about for a long time to come. As well as showcasing the famous Time Lord through clips of his memorable moments, it will also take a look at the aliens and monsters made famous by the series. the audience will learn some interesting science facts and learn what the fiction behind Doctor Who is all about.
Tickets go on exclusive pre-sale for RiAus members and Doctor Who Club Australia Members on 7 February 2014, with general ticket sales opening at 10am on 11 February 2014

Venues
  • Perth - 26 April - Octagon Theatre, University of Western Australia
  • Brisbane - 10 May - Plaza Auditorium, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
  • Sydney - 23, 24, 25 May - Everest Theatre, Seymour Centre
  • Adelaide - 31 May - Norwood Concert Hall, Norwood Town Hall
  • Melbourne - 13, 14, 15 June - Merlyn Theatre, The Coopers Malthouse




FILTER: - Special Events - Australia

The Web of Fear: UK DVD DetailsBookmark and Share

Thursday, 23 January 2014 - Reported by Chuck Foster
BBC Worldwide have released the details for the forthcoming DVD of The Web of Fear, which is due out in the United Kingdom from the 24th February 2014.

The Web of Fear
Release date: 24 February 2014 UK (available for pre-order)

The Web of Fear: R2 cover (Credit: BBC WorldwideStarring Patrick Troughton as Doctor Who, with Frazer Hines as Jamie, Deborah Watling as Victoria
Written by Mervyn Haisman and Henry Lincoln
Directed by Douglas Camfield

Broadcast: 3 Feb 1968 - 9 Mar 1968

Previously unseen in the UK for 45 years and re-mastered from newly discovered tapes located in Nigeria, the formerly missing Doctor Who classic - Web of Fear - will soon be available to own on DVD. Starring Patrick Troughton as the Doctor, alongside Frazer Hines (Jamie) and Deborah Watling (Victoria) as companions, this iconic story sees the TARDIS narrowly avoid becoming engulfed in a mysterious cobweb-like substance in space before arriving in the London Underground railway system.

The Doctor soon discovers that something strange is afoot as the tunnels are being overrun by the web, an army or robotic yetis and The Great Intelligence. Before the original broadcast in 1967, this story was deemed so scary that the Doctor delivered the following message to television audiences:

Thank goodness… Oh, it’s you… I thought for one moment it was… I’ll just sit down for a minute. I’m glad I met you as a matter of fact; there’s something I want to tell you. When we start out on our next adventure – Jamie, Victoria and I – we meet some old friends. Yes, and we also meet some old enemies. Very old enemies. The Yeti as a matter of fact. Only this time, they’re just a little bit more frightening than the last time. So I’ll warn you that if your Mummy or Daddy are scared, you just get them to hold your hand. *Gunfire* Here we go again. I’ve got to go. See you soon – I hope!

The Web of Fear is also famed for introducing one of Doctor Who folklore’s most beloved characters; Nicholas Courtney as Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart who later became the Brigadier. The Brigadier’s legacy lives on in contemporary Doctor Who, with Kate Lethbridge-Stewart (his daughter) starring in the show’s 50th anniversary episode The Day of the Doctor.

Features:
  • Episode Three reconstruction, presented using the original soundtrack alongside surviving images from the episode
  • Programme subtitles
  • Also Available: The Enemy of the World






FILTER: - Merchandise - Second Doctor - Blu-ray/DVD