Barking signing - 5th December 2015

The final Barking signing event of 2015 was a late addition to the calendar, and brought together a handful of interesting guests.

Barking Signing - 5th December 2015

As I arrived I bumped into a couple of good friends, Chris and John, who I hadn’t seen for a while, so it was good to catch up with them before going in.

The guest list wasn’t as full as previous events, but I did still need five autographs, so the buy-four-get-one-free policy was perfect for me. There was a predominance of Eleventh Doctor actors too, which we don’t usually see for some reason. Tenth Planet Events are quite classic series biased - not that I am complaining!

NINA TOUSSAINT-WHITE played Mels in Let’s Kill Hitler.


I got her to start a new blank spread too, with a view to adding Alex Kingston when I get the chance.

LIZ WHITE portrayed Alice the servant in The Snowmen. She also voiced Genestain The Brink of Death.


Liz was on my hit list too.

BILL PATERSON played Dr Edwin Bracewell in Victory of the Daleks and The Pandorica Opens.
He has co-starred with many Doctor Who actors during a career. He was the lead character in Sea of Souls, which was produced by Phil Collinson immediately before his move to Doctor Who. During the series he worked with many Who-related guest stars, including: Paul McGann, Michelle Collins, Colin Salmon, Michelle Duncan, Peter Guinness, Christina Cole, Peter Capaldi, Sarah Haynes, Nicholas Gecks, Ellie Haddington, Louis Mahoney, Michael Obiora, Eric Mason, Bhasker Patel and Struan Rodger.
After Souls, he was the senior Crown Prosecutor in the first four series of Law and Order UK. He was thus the boss of Freema Agyeman's character — and eventually surrendered his wig to Peter Davison.

Bill is someone I definitely wanted to meet. He's been appearing in series down the years with his distinctive Scottish accent, from Hitch-Hikers Guide To The Galaxy in 1978; through The Singing Detective; and the many documentaries and to adverts he's voiced since. I'm greatly looking forward to his Fraiser in the upcoming Dad's Army movie due out early next year.

SIMON FISHER-BECKER played Dorium Maldovar in The Pandorica Opens, A Good Man Goes to War, and The Wedding of River Song. He also played the Time Lord Science Minister Kavil in series 5 of Gallifrey stories Emancipation, Evolution and Arbitration.

I have simon in my book already, which is just as well since he is there today outside of the Tenth Planet Events guests, and is charging separately. Best of luck to him.

ANNEKE WILLS played the First and Second Doctor's companion Polly from The War Machines to The Faceless Ones.

Anneke is a lovely lady, but I got her autograph at a previous event, so I don't need her today.

JAYE GRIFFITHS played Jac in The Magician's Apprentice and The Zygon Invasion, as well as a lead role in 1990s espionage drama Bugs.

Jaye is one I need for my book, and I got her to sign a new blank spread so I can add Kate Lethbridge Stewart in due course.

MICHAEL MCSTAY played Derek Moberley in The Seeds of Doom.


I'm not over familiar with Michael as an actor, but with the fifth free autograph, I've got him too.

Once everyone had their autographs it was time for the Q&A session.

It kicked off with Liz Smith talking a lot about her time on Life On Mars. She recalled the attention to detail the producers went to for every aspect of the series. She said there were drawers in the police station containing index cards full of supposed crime info. None of it was seen, but it was there just in case it was needed.

She also told us a hilarious story about dog poo! The producers had made fake poo - in white as that was what happen to it in the 1970s due to the additives in dog food at that time. I must admit it chimed a chord with me and they were right!

She also remembered the ‘period’ costumes that had to be made, as true vintage clothes don’t really fit the figures of today.

Turning to Bill Paterson, it quickly emerged this was his first EVER event appearance for anything he had done, so it was a bit of a coup getting him.

As well as talking a little about Doctor Who, he spoke about his up-coming appearance as Fraser in the Dad’s Army film. He said it was over a year since they had shot it, but the producers were waiting until February to release it as similar films with elderly casts perform better if released during the first three months of a year!

Nina Toussaint-White recalled her first big break, working on EastEnders and seeing the Albert Square at Elstree Studios, a stones throw from where I live.
She said although it has quite a big cast, it was quite a lonely experience to work on as she only ever got to meet and interact with a limited number of the cast, mainly those playing her close family.

Simon Fisher-Becker is well known for being a big Doctor Who fan, but he said this was affirmed when he was first on set and seeing the TARDIS. This made him even more of fan rather than a follower.

Jaye Grifffiths was someone I wanted to hear from, but was desperately disappointed with her comments and recollections.
For her acting is just a job and nothing more. It is all about the next job, rather than endlessly looking back at the last. She described acting as more about the people you work with and how you bounce off them rather than the work itself. This meant her memories of programmes she has worked on are all impressions rather than recollections of specific happenings.

Talking of Doctor Who, she said she was totally unaware of UNIT and the place it holds in the folklore of the series. She did say working with Gemma Redgrave was enormous fun, as was being chased by aliens and commanding UNIT personnel with their big guns!

Addressing the whole line-up, they were asked what had been their worst location shoot. Jaye’s was undoubtedly having to be in the Thames for Bugs. It was freezing cold and filthy but the only footage used was a tight close-up, so she could as well have been in a warm bath rather than a stinking river!

Michael McStay remembered having to film on a rubbish tip close to Heathrow airport, and Bill’s worst was the heat of Karachi for the Channel 4 series, Traffic.

Anneka Wills, vertically, remembered the studio-based tank filming for The Underwater Menace, which has recently been released on DVD.

She then had the nerve to say what I am sure a lot of us have been thinking, that The Underwater Menace is really just a load of rubbish. She went on to say the release itself wasn’t the best and felt quite rushed and incomplete.

I have to say I do agree with her. Pity it wasn’t one of the Patrick Troughton Dalek stories that had been re-discovered.

TARDIS landing on my doorstep!

A friend of mine has given me a heads up today.

As part of the 50th Anniversary celebrations the BBC are recording a pilot episode of an un-named tv show.

Details of sketchy, BUT it’s being recorded at BBC Elstree (the home of Eastenders) which is roughly one mile from where I live.

I got to get along - it’s right on my doorstep - besides, they are encouraging the audience to attend in costume. I can’t resist!

The classic series has some minor links to BBC Elstree.
In 1988 The Greatest Show in the Galaxy was due to be recorded at Television Centre, but an asbestos scare closed the studio due to be used. They relocated to BBC Elstree, where they erreected the tent in the car park and filmed there!

Later in 1993, for the 30th Anniversary, Dimensions in Time was shot on the Eastenders backlot set with characters crossing over between the two show. NOT a highlight of anniversary years.

Let’s hope this will be more fun!

UPDATE

I’m not one for spreading rumours, but there’s a LOT of buzz around now that this pilot show is actually a studio-based reveal of the Twelfth Doctor!

Console room - here I come!

As you may haver read in my blog, I booked my tickets for the Official Doctor Who Convention taking place in Cardiff in late March.

Now, I was none too impressed with their charging structure, so had to book for both days so I could get my photo taken with Matt Smith, as well as get his autograph.

The organisers did see the error of their ways (partly) and refunded those who book for Steven Moffat’s photo and autograph, changing the policy on the add-ons.

We this morning I had an email in my inbox announcing a further add-on - this time for free - and something WORTH having!

A FREE TOUR OF THE TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM SET AT THE UPPER BOAT STUDIOS!

And Who wouldn’t want to see that!!??
They even give you a complimentary bus between the convention venue and the studios, departing hourly, with ten tours on each day, plus some on the Monday after the event too.

Chicago TARDIS - Sunday The Day Of The Daleks

Following the excitement of last night and winning the Masquerade award for Best In Show: Workmanship, I kick my day off by going to the Sunday Brunch with the guests. This was a ticket only affair and I luckily picked up entry to it earlier in the weekend.

It was an interesting exercise in the different approaches the UK and US take to breakfast. I would never have fruit and fried food on the same plate; the bacon is sliced real thin, making it very brittle; the presentation of the pastries are very sickly-sweet – but hey – when in Roman!

The guests entered the room, and dispersed to tables to sit with everyone.

I have to say I didn’t enjoy the brunch at all. The company on my table, although nice, insisted on taking American politics throughout; we didn’t get a guest; and it cost $50 for a self-service, when I had been paying $20 for table-service previously. I didn’t stick around – I’d rather be off costume spotting.

In the lobby I found some UNIT guys, both old and new keeping everyone in check.

I had a particular interest in these military SWAT uniforms – but more on that soon . . .

I do love the diversity of costumes that are worn at this event. They are not limited to the New-Who, with a lot of Classic-Who on show.

I found a group straight out of The Hand Of Fear, as well as a great Seven and Ace.

The attendance of Peter Davison naturally encouraged the Five cosplayers, and I found a number of Adrics, Tegans, Nissas and Fives, both male and femme!

Chicago TARDIS - Saturday Day Of The Award

After chatting away to the small hours with friends last night, I’m up again bright and early to discover the news that although Sarah Sutton was forced to drop out due to a family illness, filling her place at short notice is Matthew Waterhouse!

Knowing what Janet is like, I feel a little sorry for Matthew, though also some respect, cos it’s gonna be like lamb to the slaughter!!

I started my day off in my series five Donegal tweed and blue Paul Smith shirt (see right). Personally I prefer the look of the Shetland tweed, but have been finding the Donegal a comfortable fit.

Heading back down in the lobby area I caught up with Kevin again, who was now in his second costume of the weekend, his Satan Pit spacesuit.

He bought the suit from SpaceToys, who supplied the originals to Louise Page for use in the series, but found, as Louise had before him, that it required substantial reworking before it was wearable as it was quite shabbily made.

To complete the outfit, he tracked down the correct gloves, climbing harness and boots.

Chicago TARDIS - Friday

Having landed safely and on time yesterday afternoon, I am now refreshed after being awake for 25-hours straight and ready for what the convention has to throw at me.

After a hearty breakfast of poached eggs, I spent some time catching up on blogging from the hotel lobby.

I really like wearing the Shetland tweed these days, so to start the day off I wore it with my Utah shirt (see right).

Slowly the hotel came to life, with more attendees, fezzes and stetsons evident.

There were some great improvised costumes around, and I especially liked a group who were doing the Fifth Doctor TARDIS crew (see below).

There is a lot of new-Who cosplay (see below), so it’s refreshing to see some classic series costumes for a change, and even more so if they are worn by younger fans, proving the older episodes haven’t lost any of their appeal.

Chicago TARDIS is nowhere near as big as Gallifrey One, with only around 800 people due to come this weekend.
It is, however, well organised and put together with the experience of the fans in mind.

This morning I went through the process of getting my photocall with the principle guests: Janet Fielding, Andrew Hayden-Smith and Peter Davison.

Chicago TARDIS - Thursday evening

This evening things unofficially kicked off with a complimentary meal for the reserve ticket holders, attended by the guests that had arrived by that time.

I have brought along over six costume changes for the weekend, and I plan to rotate them as often as possible. Each time I do I’ll let you know what I'm wearing!

For the meet and greet, I decided to wear my series five Donegal tweed jacket and blue Paul Smith shirt (see right). It’s comfortable and I only got to finished it off in the last week, so this is my chance to wear it for the first time proper.

There was a warm round of applause as Peter Davison and Janet Fielding came in, followed by Nicholas, Andrew and others.

They were very cordial and made the point of table-hopping around the room to meet and greet everyone there.

Janet was complaining about her Thanksgiving Dinner, which included sweet potato cooked with marshmallow. Peter on the other hand had a glass of wine, which was agreeing with him . . .

I had a good chat to a number of fellow attendees who had been coming to the event for several years. It had been a while since Janet had come over, so I filled them in my my experiences of her style and patter.

Like me, they are looking forward to the weekend’s events.

Chicago - HERE I COME!

Earlier this year, on the spur of the moment, I followed the Ultimate Tennant Suit across the Atlantic to Gallifrey One, North America’s premier Doctor Who convention.

Well I guess I got a taste for conventions-American style, cos I’m off again - this time to Chicago TARDIS, a Mid-West and more low key affair.

Last time I left it to literally the last minute and gabbed a flight which got me there after the convention started. This time I'm heading out the day before and coming back the day after its all over. A more leisurely, and civilised way to do things.

The headline guest, until a few weeks prior, was Alex Kingston, who had to drop out after getting a part in the BBC’s revival series of Upstairs Downstairs.

Instead it is a Fifth Doctor FEST, with Peter Davison, and Janet Fielding (who’s always game for a laugh) AND Sarah Sutton. It’s a shame that Matthew Waterhouse isn’t there too, but is still means the complete post-Earthshock TARDIS crew will be reunited - which will be fun.

Visions From Behind The Sofa

Today I had a fantastic time – and for only £5!!!

It’s the 38th anniversary of the start of Doctor Who!

And to celebrate I went to a one-off special event at The University Of Hertfordshire, only a few miles north of where I live.

The university has a film studies department, and they regularly organise lecture days for their students to attend. Some of these are open to the public and his month was a Doctor Who day, the choice of scheduling date being no co-incidence.

Entitled Doctor Who: Visions From Behind The Sofa, it formed a serious study of the development and impact of Doctor Who through the years.

The campus is a very modern, and inspiring building.

It didn’t take me too long to find the Weston Auditorium, where the day took place. I quickly realised I was not only probably the oldest person attending – everyone were either wearing skinny jeans hanging off their hips, or had be any hats on – I was the only one in costume.

I had just completed my best ever Matt Smith Closing Time costume, so I had to give it a test run.

Luckily before we went in I did spot someone wearing a Tom Baker scarf, so I didn’t feel quite so out of place.

The venue was a cinema, with a stage in front of the screen. On stage was a classic series dalek to get us in the mood!

The day was hosted by Howard Berry, who is the Joint Programme Leader and Senior Lecturer in Post-Production for the undergraduate BA (Hons) degrees in Film and Television Documentary, Entertainment and Fiction at the University.

Although it was an all-day event, it only cost £5 to attend, so was an absolute bargain.

It was broken down into four main lectures, each followed by a panel discussion.

Conventions are cool! (Or are they?)

So this morning was the release of the tickets to the OFFICIAL Doctor Who convention due to be held in March 2012 at the Cardiff Millennium Centre.

Just like the stampeed for the BBC Prom tickets last year, I was waiting - poised - to get my order in.

Prior to the release, the BOOK TICKETS page simply read:

Tickets will go on sale 9am Monday 14th November.

It got to 9am – and it still said it. Okay, I thought, maybe they are just getting geared up for the rush. 9.15am – still says the same thing – and again at 9.30am.

This was in-between the occasional Server Connection Failure and my browser not even being able to connect to the host domain.

It made one of the menus on the site take on a whole new meaning . . .  WHAT’S GOING ON?!

It wasn’t until 10.30am that suddenly I go the connection needed and I was in. AT LAST!