Christian Cawley's Blog, page 293

Capaldi To Have New-and-Old Look?

Danny_Weasel is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

Well, today was the first day of shooting on the new series of Doctor Who, featuring the new mad man with a box Peter Capaldi, so no doubt we wont have too long to wait till we get some glimpses of the new outfit our top Time Lord will be sporting while gallivanting round the universe.

But until that time we can all participate in the wonderful pastime of speculation, and adding fuel to the fire this week we have sources at the Radio Times letting slip that the costume will possibly reference the past while also looking to the future.

[It is a] bit old fashioned to denote the fact that he is the oldest Doctor… [while] looking to the future as well.

So what can we deduce from that? Well the past bit seems simple enough, but what form will this period garb take, waistcoat and cravat? Perhaps a comeback for the frilly shirt? And how about the ‘future’ element, are we talking in terms of where the story is going, in which case could we see Capaldi donning a subtle seal of Rassilon broach to show where he is headed, or are we talking Doc Brown in Back to the Future 2?

Ultimately only time will tell, but until then let the speculation run wild in the comments section below!

(Via The Mirror.)

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A New Era of Doctor Who Enters Production!

Christian Cawley is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

The Doctor is dead. Long live the Doctor. Today marks a brand new era for Doctor Who as production commences on Peter Capaldi’s first block of episodes.

Whether attracted by the sound of VFX explosions or a network of sign spotters looking for notices concerning filming in South Wales, fans have been performing tracking skills that would put the NSA to shame.

#DWSR First day of filming for the 12th Doctor, Peter Capaldi, has started at The Maltings, East Tyndall St, Splott, Cardiff

— DrWhoSetReports DWSR (@DrWhoSetReports) January 6, 2014

What this means, of course, is that in the next few days we’re surely going to be treated to a look at the Twelfth Doctor in all of his new-look splendour.

New outfit sightings have been claimed on Twitter, but no photos. This isn’t a huge surprise as apparently the first block is for the first three episodes and unusually episode one of Series 8 is currently going before cameras.

But hey, what’s the rush? The new look will be along soon…

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How Fans Reacted To The 13 Doctors Saving Gallifrey [VIDEO]

Christian Cawley is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

Probably the highlight of 2013 for most Doctor Who fans was The Day of the Doctor, in which we got to know a new incarnation and see the return of the Tenth Doctor, played of course by David Tennant.

Yet while John Hurt, David Tennant and Matt Smith were hogging the limelight, it was the surprise appearance of all previous incarnations AND THE NEXT that set pulses racing (confession time, Kasterborites: I almost broke my wife’s hand I was squeezing so tightly!)

The video above is an excellent compilation of various reactions of THAT moment from across YouTube, and it is well worth taking the time to watch it.

But, wait, dear reader: how did YOU react? Tell us in the comments!

(Via @JohnGuilor)

The post How Fans Reacted To The 13 Doctors Saving Gallifrey [VIDEO] appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

How Fans Reacted To The 13 Doctors Saving Gallifrey

Christian Cawley is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

Probably the highlight of 2013 for most Doctor Who fans was The Day of the Doctor, in which we got to know a new incarnation and see the return of the Tenth Doctor, played of course by David Tennant.

Yet while John Hurt, David Tennant and Matt Smith were hogging the limelight, it was the surprise appearance of all previous incarnations AND THE NEXT that set pulses racing (confession time, Kasterborites: I almost broke my wife’s hand I was squeezing so tightly!)

The video above is an excellent compilation of various reactions of THAT moment from across YouTube, and it is well worth taking the time to watch it.

But, wait, dear reader: how did YOU react? Tell us in the comments!

(Via @JohnGuilor)

The post How Fans Reacted To The 13 Doctors Saving Gallifrey appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

Doctor Who Titans – Eleventh Doctor “Geronimo!” Collection

Andrew Reynolds is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

Time for some miniaturised vinyl based fun with this, the Doctor Who Titans – Eleventh Doctor “Geronimo!” Collection.

Celebrate the Eleventh Doctors adventures in space and time with this range of  3″ blind-boxed TITAN figures, featuring (by popular demand) all of his companions, The War Doctor (played by John Hurt) from 50th anniversary special The Day of the Doctor, the newly-redesigned Cyberman from Nightmare in Silver and the Doctor’s ever-ready, uncompromising ally Strax.

If that is not enough there are four hidden chase figures for to hunt down and collect – Plus, one, as yet to be seen, surprise figure.

However the fun doesn’t just stop with the Eleventh Doctor. How about leading a vinyl enactment of The Day of the Doctor with these 6.5″ window-boxed TITAN releases of Matt Smith’s Eleventh Doctor in his stylish Series 7 costume and David Tennant’s blue-suited Tenth Doctor wearing his classic brown trenchcoat?

Both 6.5″ Doctors come with their sonic screwdriver as an accessory.

All pieces (3″ and 6.5″) will ship by May 2014 for a June 2014 release (see them all here) and are available for pre-order now from Forbidden Planet for £7.99 and £16.99 respectively.

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Reviewed: Doctor Who Figurine Collection – Part 4 Weeping Angel

James Whittington is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

Of all the new monsters to have emerged from the new run of Doctor Who the Weeping Angels surely rank at the top of everyone’s lists. These temporal vampires brought back memories of the gothic horror we enjoyed so much in the Baker era and actually did send some younger viewers behind the sofa, well they did in my house anyway. The Weeping Angel figure for this issue is taken from the Flesh And Stone episode.

The Magazine

The Figurine – It’s amazing to consider that a creature you never actually see move can be one of the most impressive and this look as the design of the Weeping Angels and how various costumes are created. We also discover the problems encountered by Millennium FX such as how to stop the wings from wobbling. Nice to see the cherubs getting some coverage too, these added much creepiness to the series.

A Moment In Time – Flesh And Stone was the second of a two part adventure that started with The Time Of Angels and personally speaking its not as good as their first appearance in Blink. It lacked the claustrophobic atmosphere of thier first appearance and turned the action quota up making the show feel and look bigger which is not always means better. It also contained the return of River Song and was Matt’s first full story to be recorded. In this section we learn the advice he was given from the 5th and 10th Doctors and the problems encountered during production of this loud piece of television.

 

50 Years Of Doctor Who – We reach the first half of 1965 and learn how Dalekmania was in full swing and that TV Century 21 were producing colour comic strips of these metal monsters. It was also the time Robert Holmes first made contact with the series. Other things were happening in the world such as the release of The Sound Of Music but, more notable for Doctor Who fans, we would meet someone from the Doctor’s people, the Meddling Monk.

Doctor Who Universe – This is a brief history of err, history seen in Doctor Who is a fun look at the real and original characters seen in the show and the paradoxes created if the Doctor changes timelines. My favourite here is Scaroth, now what would his mask look like in the new series?

Myths And Mysteries – The section that dares ask the questions continues with such important enquiries such as “Why Can’t The Weeping Angels Talk?” and “What Does Quantum Locked Actually Mean?”

Who People – Russell T Davies was the man who brought back Doctor Who and was Showrunner and Head Writer from 2005 till 2010. Here briefly celebrate his ability to give the show the resurrection it needed, how he injected humour and heart into its structure and paved the way for the series to become the global hit it is.

Figurine

Though we’re only a few issues in, this figurine is exceptional and easily my favourite so far. The Weeping Angel is captured with arms outstretched and fanged mouth wide open, silently screaming. The paintwork perfectly captures the stone effect and the skirt is littered with perfectly placed cracks. Very impressive.

Another fine issues, good features with a figurine that’s well worth the asking price. Next up is a Silurian Warrior, though not from the classic era.

The post Reviewed: Doctor Who Figurine Collection – Part 4 Weeping Angel appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

Twelfth Night

Philip Bates is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

And now it’s time for one last bow, like all your other selves.

Eleven’s Hour is over now. The clock is striking Twelve’s.

It’s the final day of festivities and trees throughout the land are coming down. Despite all the lights being relegated to lofts and garages, we’re more than halfway out of the dark. And in typical Twelfth Night fashion, there’s a party going on at K Towers.

The caretakers are having an evening off, there are some rock-n-roll-type teen girls screeching around the corridors and an even-screechier redhead is looking for the swimming pool.

Also in typical Twelfth Night fashion, all the guys are dressed up as gals: it was Andy’s idea; Mez has been rehearsing for the past eight months, and Alex has, unfortunately, yet to project his clothes hologram onto our visual cortexes. Meanwhile, K editor, Christian Cawley is doing his best Malvolio impression (you should see his tights), Nick is flicking his hair back and forth so much Will Smith’s daughter would be envious, and Becky is dressed as Captain Jack Harkness. Nobody asked her to do so, but you don’t argue with Becky.

But in amongst the joys of the Drunk Giraffe, it’s time to reflect. Twelfth Night isn’t just a time and place and relative dimension to look forward to, appropriately, the Twelfth Doctor; we have to look towards the past.

An era has come to a close and a new one beckons.

Retreating to a quiet corner, unhindered by Brian’s – shudder – twerking, where the lights are low and “I Can’t Decide” plays in the distance, we have to consider the past year.

2013 was good. The 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, and everyone’s favourite show took over telly. Quite apart from the ground-breaking Day of the Doctor special, screened in 3D across cinemas worldwide, we had An Adventure in Space and Time, which brought a tear to the eye of many as David Bradley (playing William Hartnell playing the Doctor) grabbed hold of the mantelpiece and admitted, “I don’t want to go.” Soon after, even glass eyes began watering profusely as the First Doctor gazed across the TARDIS console to see the Eleventh Doctor.

We’ve also had The Science of Doctor Who, with Professor Brian Cox explaining how Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS is actually scientifically correct. Then there was Matthew Sweet’s excellent overview, You, Me, and Doctor Who. Plus all the radio specials! And the official Celebration! And the merchandise!

And Series 7! Let’s not forget the evil excellence of the Great Intelligence, the Old God, Skaldak, the Crooked Man, the Time Zombies, Mrs. Gillyflower and her ‘sweet’ husband, and those dastardly Cybermen.

Hopefully, Kasterborous has guided you along the way, like any trusty companion. Over the past fortnight, we’ve been throwing a plethora of features at you, covering many-an-era, but over the past twelve months, we’ve given you thousands of articles. This is all down to our brilliant contributors, be them currently twerking, scribbling ‘Pex Lives’ on a wall, or misquoting “some are born great…”

But it’s also down to you, faithful reader. Thanks for sticking with us. You just wait for what we’ve got in store for you in 2014.

So on this Twelfth Night, take a moment or two to reflect on how the Doctor Who universe has, like the Great Intelligence, expanded, but also what we have lost.

Yes, 2013 was good. Not everything was great though. You know what I’m talking about.

And this is when our collective bow ties get just a bit too tight. We’re looking forward to Autumn and a new face for that ancient Time Lord. But here’s a tip of the fez, of the Stetson, of the tricorn to Matt Smith. We will always remember when the Doctor was you.

Thank you, Raggedy Man.

We let our bow ties fall to the floor, and sadly saunter into the night, as the music plays on.

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When Doctor Who Invaded Lowestoft…

Rebecca Crockett is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

While the town of Lowestoft is more well-known for its place in the history of the settlement of Britain, another part of history has come to the town.

A new coffee and comics shop with a Doctor Who theme has opened its TARDIS doors to the public.

Dawn Of Time, owned by Who fan and Second Doctor cosplayer Jim Poole and his business partner Amy Pond look-a-like Nikoya Sutton opened the shop in town’s High Street last month.

Along with the TARDIS doors entrance beckoning Whovians to the shop, they have on display many items related to the show, including a Dalek, a Cyberman, and their very own K-9, as we as photographs and other ephemera.

While only open a short time, the shop already hopes to soon have a customer in the Doctor himself – John Hurt, who lives near the town of Cromer, and pops out to local events from time to time…

Poole recently went to the town’s Christmas lights display dressed in full Whovian gear:

We went to the Cromer Christmas lights in our Doctor Who gear and John said to us ‘Ahh, Whovians’ and seemed very interested when we told him about the Dawn of Time. Word of mouth is spreading about Dawn of Time and we have had people up from London visiting. It is a place where people can enjoy a nice coffee and tea and talk about their favourite programme as well if they are a fan.

Poole and Sutton aren’t the only ones who get in on the act of dressing up as their favorite characters from the show; Poole’s daughter loves to dress as the Seventh Doctor’s companion Ace, the shop’s IT expert bears a passing resemblance to Fifth Doctor Peter Davison, and the rest of the shop’s staff all dress in character on Saturdays.

There are also plans to add a Weeping Angel to the shop as well as a lounge.

In an interesting historical bit of information, the shop has and a number of “regenerations”, most recently having been a card shop. But it was, at one time, one of the town’s first milk bars – opened in 1963.

(via The Lowestoft Journal)

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Murray Gold Celebrates 30 Years of The Crouch End Festival Chorus

Christian Cawley is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

Doctor Who’s resident composer since 2005, Murray Gold, is helping the renowned Crouch End Festival Chorus celebrates its 30th anniversary with an innovative programme of traditional and contemporary classical music, performed at venues across London throughout 2014.

Gold will be appearing with the chorus at the Barbican Centre, London on Saturday 18 January 2014, 7.30pm, in a concert of featuring his own works as well as some by David Bedford and Robert Fripp.

CEFC has a long-standing relationship with the award-winning composer, contributing regularly to Gold’s soundtrack for Doctor Who and his new piece, “when my brother fell into the river…”, is CEFC’s first commission for 2014 and is a highly personal exploration of loss and the passage to acceptance and hope. Audiences can rest assured that this profoundly moving and dramatic work makes full use of the exquisite choral singing for which CEFC is renowned.

As well as regularly featuring on Doctor Who (such as The End of Time) the CEFC can be heard on the soundtrack of the supernatural thriller, The Awakening, featuring Dominic West and Rebecca Hall. CEFC also appeared at the South Bank’s Meltdown Festival with CEFC Patron Ray Davies in 2011, and in 2012 featured on the hugely successful debut solo album by Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, with CEFC singers taking part in his UK tour

The contemporary and avant-garde are familiar ground for this most adventurous of choirs, and even sceptics who find it difficult to connect with contemporary music will find much to love in this unique concert. You’ll find more information at www.cefc.org.uk.

Tickets are £28 with concessions available.

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Mystery of the Daleks’ Master Plan Graphic Novel

Christian Cawley is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

Did you order a copy of The Daleks’ Master Plan? Wondering where it has got to? You’re not the only one…

A week before Christmas we shared with you the exciting news that the proofs for our charity Daleks’ Master Plan graphic novel had been approved and that we were expecting delivery on December 20th. That weekend would then be spent preparing the first bunch of orders for dispatch, with a trip to the Post Office on Monday 23rd.

Sadly, this didn’t happen.

For one reason or another (reasons that as yet I’ve been unable to ascertain), delivery didn’t occur. The printers we contracted for the job have been used before, so we didn’t have any qualms about using them. However, perhaps because of the Christmas break, we’re in a sort of Daleks’ Master Plan limbo.

Of course, this has been omitted from the Kasterborous news pages, mainly out of blind hope that a small detail has been overlooked, but also to avoid drawing potentially litigious comments.

I am continuing this week to make contact with the printers, with the aim of either completing the arrangement or securing a refund. I expect it to be the former.

As such, until the problem is satisfactorily resolved, I have taken the Daleks’ Master Plan charity graphic novel off sale. Any questions can be posed by email or below, but due to the fact that we have a situation awaiting resolution, any comments on this topic will be heavily moderated.

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