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Don’t Miss: The Culture Show: Me, You and Doctor Who

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.

Tonight’s Doctor Who 50th anniversary treat – assuming you’re not at the big event in London – comes in the shape of a Culture Show special by Matthew Sweet.

Me, You and Doctor Who is an in-depth look at how what was originally planned as a children’s show (although never produced by a children’s department) became a cultural phenomenon. Here’s the BBC synopsis:

Why has a kids TV show about an eccentric man with a box that can travel anywhere in time and space become the BBC’s longest running TV drama – and one of Britain’s biggest brands?

 

On its 50th anniversary, lifelong fan Matthew Sweet argues you ignore Doctor Who at your peril. It may be a piece of children’s television, but he believes it’s one of the most important cultural artefacts of modern Britain. Put simply, Doctor Who matters.

 

In this hour-long Culture Show special, BBC Two’s flagship arts programme explores with wit, authority and affection, why Doctor Who has become entrenched in British life. Matthew Sweet traces the 50 years of extraordinary social change and uncertainty that sent generations of children scuttling behind the sofa. How did a pepper pot, the Nazis and a sink plunger result in the scariest adversaries of our time – the Daleks?

 

Sweet argues how in turn the show became a cultural force in its own right, influencing music, design and storytelling – whether pioneering electronica (Delia Derbyshire), or giving the unknown Douglas Adams a crucial break. Matthew meets both famous faces as well as cast, crew and Doctors past and present (from current Doctor Matt Smith to Richard Martin, the maverick director who first brought the Daleks to screens in 1964) to find out how Doctor Who has changed our culture

We’ve got a segment about Terry Nation and Raymond Cusick’s iconic creation, the Dalek in the video player above. Don’t miss The Culture Show: Me, You and Doctor Who – BBC Two, 9.30pm tonight, and find out more at the show’s dedicated page.

The post Don’t Miss: The Culture Show: Me, You and Doctor Who appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

Russell T. Davies Returns to Drama with Cucumber and Banana

Nick Kitchen 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 man behind Queer as Folk and the resurrection of Doctor Who, Russell T. Davies, is returning to the drama genre with a trio of new projects coming to Channel 4: Cucumber (Channel 4), Banana (E4), and a web series called Tofu. The new series are set to explore modern gay life in the way that only RTD can.

The Head of Drama for Channel 4, Piers Wenger (former Who executive producer, 2010-11) had this to say:

“No one can look into the heart and soul of modern relationships quite like Russell and, across Channel 4, E4, and online, he paints an unflinching and forensic portrait of how our sex lives affect us all. It might be 15 years since Queer As Folk, but he has made it more than worth the wait.”

Cucumber follows Harry, a forty something whose “comfortable” relationship is thrown into chaos after a bad night on the town. Banana centers on the key figures in Henry’s life. The web series, Tofu, is set to serve as a “sex guide” and will be responsive to the themes and subject presented in the stories each week. There are no casting announcements at this time, but filming is set to begin in the spring.

Are you excited for RTD’s return to drama? Or would you prefer he was bringing back something a little more Who related (*cough, cough* Torchwood *cough, cough)?

Via Manchester Evening News (H/t Gareth)

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Twelve Doctors in Doctor Who Comic Finale

Alex Skerratt 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.

Comic book writer Tony Lee has revealed that the final ongoing Doctor Who story from IDW Publishing will be an epic one. And feature no less than twelve incarnations of the Doctor!

Cryptically titled Dead Man’s Hand, the four-part adventure will be a sequel to the very first story Lee scribed over six years ago, as well as a celebration of the Doctor’s fifty years in time and space.

Taking to Twitter earlier this week, Lee posted a stunning image of every Doctor from William Hartnell to Matt Smith, with the surprise inclusion of the ‘War Doctor’ John Hurt, who is tucked discretely behind David Tennant and Paul McGann. This ‘omni-gathering’ will apparently take place in Dead Man’s Hand, along with the words, “Hello, we’re the Doctor. From Gallifrey.”

As Lee explains:

“When the comic is out you’ll get the whole speech (removed for spoilers) and also more pages of each of these wonderful men. All of them.”

Until then, here’s hoping we can get our classic Doctor fix from this weekend’s anniversary special!

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The Days Of The Doctor at Cheltenham Christmas Lights Switch-On

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.

Mere hours before The Day of the Doctor airs across the global comes The Days of the Doctor, a 50th Anniversary parody play about a special that’s yet to air (altogether: “Wibbly wobbly, timey wimey”)

The play, taking place at the Cheltenham Christmas Lights Switch-On, The Main Stage, The Brewery Complex, Cheltenham, is written and produced by Barnaby Eaton-Jones (author of Who’s Playing Who and Lemon) and sees The Offstage Theatre Group spin forward in time to watch the special and then spiralling back with enough jokes to make the familiarly strange strangely familiar.

This fast-paced comedy, featuring the mysterious John Hurt Doctor as ‘The Storyteller’, telling a Christmas Carol of a tale featuring a wicked old man and his time-travelling blue box, will entertain and delight children and adults alike – focussing on the new series of ‘Doctor Who’ (featuring the Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh Doctor, with respective companions) with a few ‘classic’ era references; including an appearance by the Doctor’s trusty robot dog, K9, and Captain Jack Harkness.

The play completes a ten-year mission for the travelling theatre troupe which has seen them travel to Los Angeles to perform at  ‘Gallifrey’ – the biggest Doctor Who convention in the world; where over 600 fans saw their final production, which featured Sixth Doctor actor Colin Baker.

This nice ‘coda’ brings it back to how it started out – a small cast, a funny script, and a celebration of the show we all love.

Writer (and occasional Kasterborous reviewer) Barnaby Eaton-Jones said:

Having headlined the Christmas Lights Switch-On with my Blues Brothers Reloaded show a few years ago, we’re delighted to be asked back to perform our tribute to ‘Doctor Who’ just before the BBC’s anniversary show gets simultaneously broadcast around the entire world!

It’s a Christmas story with a time-travelling twist, that will see the mysterious Doctor (as played by John Hurt) reveal who he is and what he’s planning to do to disrupt Christmas.

The OFFSTAGE Theatre Group have been brought out of our retirement from all things ‘Doctor Who’ to regenerate again and to take hold of the TARDIS controls once more. So, come with us on a silly journey to Gallifrey and beyond. We’re back and it’s about time-wimey.

This production was first commissioned by Fantom Films for the Avoncroft Museum’s ‘Time-Travelling Family Fun Day’ in Worcestershire, earlier in November, but this new version features a Christmas theme, Cheltenham-centric jokes and a comedy song to end proceedings, which the audience can participate in.

Demelsa Coleman, Marketing Manager, The Brewery, commented:

We are delighted to be celebrating the 50 anniversary of ‘Doctor Who’, especially on the actual day of the anniversary itself, with ‘The Days of the Doctor’ spoof from The OFFSTAGE Theatre Group.

It will be part of a spectacular line-up of entertainment, which includes music and dance from a diverse range of performers (before and after the Christmas Lights make their debut across Cheltenham, with Father Christmas arriving to switch on the magical display).

You can arrive in a TARDIS or just on foot but, however you choose to get here, it’s all totally free and will be the perfect way to begin your Christmas festivities.

It will also feature as the end to the ‘Who’s Playing Who?’ book, by Miwk Publishing, that tells the story of the theatre group’s amazing journey through the world of Doctor Who conventions.

The Days of the Doctor, a 50th anniversary parody play, written by Barnaby Eaton-Jones and directed by Kim Jones, takes place at the Main Stage, The Brewery Complex, Cheltenham, UK on Saturday 23rd November at 16:40pm – with free entry.

The post The Days Of The Doctor at Cheltenham Christmas Lights Switch-On appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

Reviewed: An Adventure in Space and Time

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.

I wrote a love letter once. To be honest, it can’t have been very good as it did nothing for my romantic aspirations at the time. Putting this down to my poor ability as a wordsmith, I eventually gave up hope, only for the lady in question to get in touch with me many years later and inform me that although it was a nice thought, she was now pregnant with her fourth child and would I please stop bothering her.

Bloody Royal Mail.

Something similar happened to Mark Gatiss and An Adventure in Space and Time, an idea he first pitched over 10 years ago for Doctor Who’s oft-forgotten 40th anniversary. In this case, his letter to the show he loves was turned down, only to be successfully accepted for the series’ 50th anniversary. While we’ll never know how the original would have turned out, we can at least be satisfied in knowing that this time around the production was taken completely seriously by all concerned.

It has often been pointed out in the past few weeks that the film – starring David Bradley as William Hartnell – is a tale of how no one is irreplaceable. There is, of course, a lot more to it than that, from the formation of a sort of “A-Team” of cultural outsiders in the doughnut shaped Television Centre charged with creating and driving the fledgling Doctor Who to the realisation that the show is bigger than any of them. Topped off with a wonderful collection of tributes from those who appeared or were involved in the show in those days (or both) such as William Russell, Carole Ann Ford, Peter Purves, Mark Eden, Hartnell’s real-life granddaughter Judith (also known by her stage name Jessica) Carney and many others, An Adventure in Space and Time is perhaps the most potent love letter ever written.

If you didn’t have something in your eye, even for a second, as the film concluded, then you can blame the Cybermen.

When reviewing, it is customary to point out something complementary about the performances. In this case, it simply isn’t possible. The evocation of 1963 at the BBC was so strong and powerful and overwhelmingly tainted by cigarette smoke and Brylcreem that to all intents and purposes this was a genuine window on the past, rather than a collection of actors reciting lines and occupying roles. (Having said that, I was particularly impressed with David Annen as TARDIS designer Peter Brachacki, but that might just be down to my fascination with the ship’s interior. Similarly, Nick Briggs was noticeable as Dalek voice Peter Hawkins.) Naturally Bradley, Jessica Raine as Verity Lambert, Sacha Dhawan as Waris Hussein and Brian Cox as Sydney Newman are all excellent, but they’re surrounded by a suitably brilliant support cast (with both Claudia Grant and Jamie Glover pitching Carole Ann Ford and William Russell with precision) who never let them down.

Often these types of film tend to dwell too long on particular elements that are irrelevant or distracting. Not here, where Terry McDonough’s direction was strong enough to keep it simple and show us the peripheral stuff (Delia Derbyshire and the Radiophonic Workshop, the “howlround” effect in the show’s titles and other small but relevant elements) without swaying from the path of the film’s story.

If you haven’t yet seen An Adventure in Space and Time, now is the time to look away.

Presented as a time-hopping flashback for Hartnell as he records his final scenes, towards the end of the film we’re treated with the appearance of not one, but two successors.

Reece Shearsmith, a colleague of Gatiss from The League of Gentlemen, is surprisingly engaging as Patrick Troughton despite looking clown-like. The moment is interesting, but ultimately overwhelmed by the fact that Matt Smith also turns up as the Doctor, looking back at his predecessor in a wonderful and uncredited silent appearance.

Rumours abounded during and since the show’s production that Gatiss himself would be appearing as Jon Pertwee in a recreation of the famous photoshoot for The Three Doctors. In the event this was left out, although as you can see, Gatiss was certainly present on set as the mother-hen Time Lord.

Was An Adventure in Space and Time really something that non-fans would have found interesting? As a recreation of the early-to-mid 1960s it makes an excellent period drama. In portraying the struggle of a man suffering from health problems that would eventually lead to his iconic role being recast (and the reason why the show is still so popular 50 years on) it is thought provoking. Hartnell was only 55. A much older man was cast (Bradley is 71) which should give us an idea of how Hartnell’s smoking and drinking affected his physique and health.

With any success, there is tragedy. We’ll never know if Hartnell cried “I don’t wanna go!” at his mantelpiece after his meeting with Sydney Newman. As an echo of the future it is memorable; as a matter of fact, it is debatable, but of course this doesn’t matter. Bill Hartnell was an ill man who – as it transpired – found subsequent acting work thin on the ground.

Perhaps the reality of watching Gatiss’ film is that while each of us is replaceable, we should all be doing what is best for ourselves and our loved ones. Whatever the message, one thing is for certain – An Adventure in Space and Time is BAFTA material.

The post Reviewed: An Adventure in Space and Time appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

Celebrate 50 Years With Impressive Infographic

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.

Need a quick, easy guide to the world of the Doctor as we hurtle towards the anniversary day spectacular?

Then Halloween Costumes has an informative infographic that helps celebrate the history of the greatest television franchise in this universe and any other you may happen to know.

The infographic is chocked full of information about the Eleven Doctors, the mysterious War Doctor,  TARDIS tidbits and some fun fan facts that may render the earth asunder! That’s how shocking they are! (Okay, maybe not that shocking.)

So get ready to brush up on your Doctor Who knowledge before the premiere of The Day of the Doctor!

 

Infographic Created by HalloweenCostumes.com

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ALCS Shares 50 Years of Doctor Who Memories

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.

The Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society, or ALCS, has had a long association with Doctor Who and its writers.

From current Whovian novelists such as Jenny Colgan to classic serial writers such as Bob Baker and Philip Martin, and throughout ‘The Wilderness years’ with writers such as Steve Lyons many have benefited from membership to the society

“ALCS has paid out almost £285,000 to writers for Doctor Who-related work. Remarkably, over £50,000 of that total was distributed during the period the show was off-air.”

By way of a big Happy Birthday the society have collected a myriad of thoughts and stories from a selection of Doctor Who’s finest and posted it to their web page.

The recollections are, as you would expect, a joy to read. Ranging from perfectionist Jon Pertwee getting, shall we say, a firm speaking to for wanting to re shoot a sequence at the end of The Claws of Axos on the grounds that ‘he hadn’t pressed the buttons on the Tardis in the right order for take off’ to Philip Martin discovering he had won the award for ‘campest line ever in Doctor Who’ (I’ll give you a clue, its from Vengeance on Varos‘) to replies regarding extravagant scenes and items in scripts received from script editor Terrance Dicks including such pearls as: “Can’t do that. We’re not MGM you know” and “We’ve had to invent a machine to do what you’ve asked for”.

Every snippet on the page is a dream come true for fans old and new alike and are guaranteed to raise a grin at the very least. A fitting tribute not only to the show, but to the men and women responsible for creating 50 years of adventures acorss a variety of mediums.

Once you have checked it all out remember to pop back for a chat about some of your favourite bits, either mentioned or remembered from other sources, you know how we love a buzzing comment section.

(Via Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society.)

The post ALCS Shares 50 Years of Doctor Who Memories appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

Is Matt Smith In Star Wars: Episode VII?

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.

If you’ve watched the special scenes on the Series 5 boxset, you’ll know that Matt Smith can do a lightsaber impression, and that the Doctor compares himself, romantically/sexually, to Yoda. If you haven’t watched it… well, watch it. (It’s the scene that follows Flesh and Stone.)

He might need to replay that impression soon – because Matt Smith has, apparently, gone for a role in the upcoming Star Wars film(s)! Now, this is just a rumour, but how cool would it be for Messr Smith to be both the Doctor and to be in Star Wars?! I mean, obviously being the Doctor can’t be bettered, but it’d still add to his cult status.

We don’t know whether this is an audition, or a screen test, or a ‘mere’ talk with either Head Honcho, George Lucas, or director, J.J. Abrams. What we do know is – this might not be true. But one can hope.

Another rumoured celeb in Star Wars is Sherlock star, Benedict Cumberbatch, who would make a rather cool Sith… Darth Holmes, anyone?

Yes, it’d be cool if/when Matt makes it big in Hollywood – he’s certainly got the talent – but I don’t want to lose him to America! Stick with us, Matt; stick with us!

(Via CinemaBlend.)

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Mark Gatiss: “Doctor Who has always been my favourite TV programme”

Nick Kitchen 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.

With all the attention surrounding The Day of the Doctor, it’s almost too easy to forget that we have another anniversary special coming this evening, in the form of Mark Gatiss’ An Adventure in Time and Space. The docudrama focusses on the inception and early days of Doctor Who.

The Guardian caught up with writer and producer, Mark Gatiss, and filmed a lovely interview/behind the scenes video. Intermingled with the clip of Sydney Newman trying to sell Verity Lambert the pitch for the show, Gatiss speaks about the special and his feelings about Doctor Who.

A couple of juicy morsels from the video:

“Doctor Who has always been my favourite programme”
“Jon Pertwee was my Doctor”
Gatiss originally pitched the docudrama for the 40th anniversary

An Adventure in Time and Space will air this evening at 9pm on BBC Two and on BBC America on Friday at 9pm. Check out the video above. Will you be tuning in this evening (or tomorrow evening for my fellow Americans)? UK viewers will be able to catch up on BBC iPlayer after the show airs.

(Via The Guardian)

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Doctor Who Meets The Hunger Games [VIDEO]

Alex Skerratt 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.

To coincide with the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, and the launch of the new Hunger Games movie, a group of indie filmmakers have unleashed a rather amusing video into the Whoniverse.

Titled The Doctor Games, the spoof features the TARDIS console as used in the TV Movie, some impressive CGI and all thirteen incarnations of the Time Lord, (though we admit one or two disguises may have been used…)

For a memorable three-and-a-bit minutes of parody that would tickle even the stony-faced Valeyard click play about, and send thanks to Brad Hansen.

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