Tennant to host Shakespeare Celebration

Tuesday, 21 April 2015 - Reported by Marcus

David Tennant has been signed up to host a celebration of William Shakespeare to mark the 400th anniversary of the playwright's death.

The special event will broadcast live, on BBC Two next April, from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. It will feature a variety bill inspired by Shakespeare and performed by major international talent. It will celebrate Shakespeare's enduring influence on all the performing art forms from opera to jazz, from ballet to musicals.

Tennant joined the RSC in 1996 playing Touchstone in As You Like It. He went on to play the leading role in Romeo and Juliet, and Antipholus of Syracuse in The Comedy of Errors, for which he received a nomination in the 2000 Ian Charleson awards for Best Classical Actor under 30. He returned to the RSC to play Berowne in Love's Labour's Lost and a much acclaimed Hamlet in 2008. In Winter 2012 he played the title role in Richard II.

Tony Hall, Director-General BBC, said:

Our ambition is to get more people excited about Shakespeare than ever before – through drama, great performance, documentary; festivals and social media too. We’re partnering with talent right across the country and delighted to be working with the RSC. 2016 is going to be the biggest celebration of Shakespeare we’ve ever put on - for everyone.

FILTER: - David Tennant

Lethbridge-Stewart: The Schizoid Earth

Monday, 20 April 2015 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Candy Jar Books have released the cover and details for their next book in the Lethbridge-Stewart saga:

Lethbridge-Stewart: The Schizoid Earth (Credit: Candy Jar Books)

Lethbridge-Stewart: The Schizoid Earth
Written by David A McIntee
Released in June

Lethbridge-Stewart was supposed to be in the mountains of the east. Things didn't quite go according to plan.

On the eve of war, something appeared in the sky; a presence that blotted out the moon. Now it has returned, and no battle plan can survive first contact with this enemy.

Plagued by nightmares of being trapped in a past that never happened, Lethbridge-Stewart must unravel the mystery of a man ten years out of his time; a man who cannot possibly still exist.

Why do the ghosts of fallen soldiers still fight long-forgotten battles against living men? What is the secret of the rural English town of Deepdene? Lethbridge-Stewart has good reason to doubt his own sanity, but is he suffering illness or injury, or is something more sinister going on?

Author David A McIntee (who also wrote the Brigadier-centric BBC Book The Face Of The Enemy) said:

To be honest it (the series) is something I'm amazed hasn't been done before – it’s just such a natural and obvious thing. The form it's taking is also cool because it has the flexibility to move between styles and genres – thriller, SF, horror, etc – while maintaining a definite identity. As for the Brig himself, he's one of those characters where the casting was so perfect that it just made the character so memorable, and who (usually) feels so right.

Cover art is by Cosgrove Hall's background artist, Nathan Hudson, and the book also features an exclusive foreword written by Amanda Haisman, daughter of Lethbridge-Stewart creator Mervyn Haisman, in which she publically talks about her father and the legend he created for Doctor Who.

The book is available to pre-order from Candy Jar Books.

Coming up later in the year are Beast of Fang Rock by Andy Frankham-Allen and Terrance Dicks, and Mutually Assured Domination by Nick Walters.

Frankham-Allen, who wrote the series opener The Forgotten Son, said:

There’s been such a warm reception to the first book I must thank everybody for all their kind words. My next book is a dream come true. It’s an idea I’ve had rattling around in my head since 1998, so it’s great privilege to be able to make it a reality, and even more so due to Terrance Dicks’ involvement with it.

Walters said:

After the Doctor himself the Brigadier is the best-loved character in Doctor Who. I met Nick Courtney a number of times and he really is a splendid fellow. He brought a real humanity and vulnerability to the role without compromising the essential toughness of the character. Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart is the chap you'd want on your side in a fight – any fight – and it is a real privilege to be exploring what made him into the character we came to know and love.

FILTER: - Books - Candy Jar Books - Lethbridge-Stewart - Merchandise

Symphonic Spectacular Homage Album Cover

Monday, 20 April 2015 - Reported by Marcus

Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular is celebrating its first ever UK tour with a homage to the legendary Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover.

Symphonic Spectacular (Credit: BBC Worldwide)

In advance of the forthcoming Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular which visits six cities across the UK from May 23rd, artwork has been released today to capture the monsters and characters from Doctor Who, alongside the musicians taking part in the tour.

Paying homage to the classic Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover designed by Sir Peter Blake for The Beatles in 1967, the design features a range of characters, past and present, including the Fifth Doctor Peter Davison who will be presenting the Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular tour.

The line-up also features a range of fan favourites including the current and last three incarnations of the Doctor - Peter Capaldi, Matt Smith, David Tennant and Christopher Eccleston - as well as their respective companions. Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular’s take on the iconic album cover also features a range of monsters from the show including the Daleks, Cybermen, Judoon and Dream Crabs.

Murray Gold, who scored the Doctor Who music since 2005 also features on the image, along with conductor Ben Foster, Welsh soprano Elin Manahan Thomas and a number of the members of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and BBC National Chorus of Wales taking part in the tour.

The tour visits London, Cardiff, Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle and finishes in Glasgow. Tickets are on sale online

1. Foretold 2. Martin Bowen 3. Dalek 4. Delphox 5. Ros Butler 6. Margot Leadbeater 7. Katie Littlemore 8. Amy 9. Nicholas White 10. Whisperman 11. Kerry Gordon-Smith 12. Dalek 13. Cybermen 14. Paul Mann 15. Carolyn Hewitt 16. Dalek 17. Judoon 18. Donna 19. Sarah Chapman 20. Sontaran Strax 21. Jaroslaw Augustyniak 22. Teller Guard 23. Martha 24. Cyberman 25. Clara 26. Silurians 27. Rose Tyler 28. Arthur 29. Robot Knight 30. Katherine Miller 31. Vigil 32. Ood 33. David Cowley 34. Danny 35. Cyberman 36. Teller 37. Teller Guard 38. Lucas Suarez 39. Andy McGlasson 40. Rob Plane 41. Ian King 42. Adam Goldsmith 43. Dan Todden 44. Eva Stewart 45. Silence 46. Missy 47. Silurians 48. Silurians 49. Christopher Eccleston 50. David Tennant 51. Matt Smith 52. Peter Capaldi 53. Elin Manahan Thomas 54. Peter Davison 55. Ben-Foster 56. Murray Gold 57. Tom Rees-Roberts 58. Chris Stock 59. Dalek 60. Dalek 61. Sontaran 62. River Song 63. Mr Sin 64. Dream Crab 65. Weeping Angel 66. Auton Doll 67. Peg Doll 68. Dream Crab

FILTER: - Music - Peter Davison - Special Events

Eccleston talks Who

Saturday, 18 April 2015 - Reported by Marcus

Christopher Eccleston has been talking about his time on Doctor Who in a rare interview on BBC Radio 4.

Eccleston was appearing on the Saturday evening discussion programme Loose Ends, primarily to promote his role in Safe House, a four-part drama on ITV from 20 April.

Eccleston was interviewed by Emma Freud in a wide ranging talk about his career. When asked about Doctor Who, he told Freud how he had put himself forward for the role.

I approached Russell T Davies and said I know you are going to do this and I think you should think about me.... I wanted to do something for children, I wanted to learn a lighter way of being.

Freud asked him if he felt he had succeeded.

I think I over pitched the comedy. If I had my time again I would do the comedy very differently. But I think, where I possibly succeeded was in the tortured stuff.

So why did he leave?

What's interesting in this country is that wherever a story like this emerges they concentrate on the negative. I dont think it's important why I left, I think it's important that I did it in the first place.

Freud pushed the point saying it was a big shock to fans when he left, and he had been so successful in the role he could still be playing it now.

Well I'm still there in spirit....... Myself and three individuals at the very top of the pyramid clashed, so off I went. But they are are not here to say their side of it, so I'm not going to go into details.

The full programme can be heard worldwide on the BBC iPlayer for the next four weeks.

FILTER: - Christopher Eccleston

Big Finish - The First Doctor Companion Chronicles Box Set

Saturday, 18 April 2015 - Reported by Marcus

Big Finish has revealed the story details and writers for June's Doctor Who - The First Doctor Companion Chronicles Box Set...

The set stars original series companions Carole Ann Ford, Maureen O'Brien and Peter Purves, performing stories set within and beyond the adventures of the First Doctor (as portrayed by William Hartnell).

The Sleeping Blood by Martin DayWhen the Doctor falls ill, Susan is forced to leave the safety of the TARDIS behind. Exploring a disused research centre in search of medical supplies, she becomes embroiled in the deadly plans of a terrorist holding an entire world to ransom – and the soldier sent to stop him.

The Unwinding World by Ian PotterOffice life is tough, the commute is a grind, nothing works quite as well as you'd like. Vicki seems to remember things being better once, before the little flat. It’s time she put some excitement back in her life. It’s just a shame the Doctor can’t help.

The Founding Fathers by Simon GuerrierThe TARDIS lands in Leicester Square in the summer of 1762. When the Doctor, Steven and Vicki find themselves locked out of the TARDIS, only one man can possibly help them. But the American, Benjamin Franklin, has problems of his own...

The Locked Room by Simon GuerrierSteven Taylor left the Doctor and the TARDIS to become king of an alien world. But it's now many years since he gave up the throne and went to live in a cell in the mountains, out of sight of his people. He's not escaping his past – quite the opposite, in fact. As his granddaughter, Sida, is about to discover...

Doctor Who - The First Doctor Companion Chronicles Box Set is released in June on CD and Download, and until July 1st is at a pre-order price of £20 on CD and £15 on Download.

FILTER: - Big Finish

Series 8 Soundtrack release

Friday, 17 April 2015 - Reported by Harry Ward

Silva Screen have revealed details of the soundtrack release for Series 8 and Last Christmas, which will be released on 18th of May 2015.

Doctor Who: Series 8 (Credit: Silva Screen)

Doctor Who: Series 8 will be the first soundtrack release of music from the twelfth Doctor Who, Peter Capaldi, featuring the new Doctor’s theme A Good Man? (Twelve’s Theme). This 3 disc set also includes the music from the episode Last Christmas and an extensive 24 page booklet with notes from Murray Gold. The score is performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Murray Gold (computer instruments, guitars and synths) and conducted by Ben Foster and James Shearman. The first 5000 copies of the CD will include an extra 16 page booklet depicting the 13 Radio Times posters, one for each episode. All pre-ordered product on this store will include the extra booklet.

Updated 22 April: Full track list is now available

Track Listing:

Series 8 and Last Christmas
Release Date: 18th May 2015

DISC ONE

Doctor Who Theme (Series 8)
A Good Man? (Twelve’s Theme)

Deep Breath

Something It Ate
Concussed
It’s Still Him
Pudding Brains
Breath
Hello Hello
A Drink First
Missy’s Theme

Into The Dalek

Aristotle, We Have Been Hit
We’re Still Going To Kill You
Tell Me, Am I A Good Man?
What Difference A Good Dalek?
The Truth About The Daleks

Robot Of Sherwood

Old Fashioned Hero
This Is My Spoon
Robert, Earl of Loxley
The Legend of Robin Hood
Robin of Sherwood
The Golden Arrow

Listen

Listen
Rupert Pink
Fear

DISC TWO

Time Heist

The Architect
Rob The Bank
Account Closed
Open Up

The Caretaker

The Caretaker

Kill The Moon

Are You Going To Shoot Me?
When I Say Run
That Is The Moon

Mummy On The Orient Express

Start The Clock
There’s That Smile
The Sarcophagus Opens
The Artefact
Study Our Own Demise

Flatline

Not Knowing
Siege Mode

In The Forest Of The Night

We Weren’t Asleep That Long
Forgetting
The Song of Danny and Clara

Dark Water

Throw Away The Key
Browsing
They Walk Among Us

Death In Heaven

There is No Clara Oswald
Missy And Her Boys
A Good Man, An Incredible Liar
Freefall
I Need To Know
Missy's Theme - Extended
Missy's Gift
(The Majestic Tale of) An Idiot With a Box

DISC THREE

Last Christmas

3 Perfectly Ordinary Roof People
Do You Really Believe In Santa?
Unsealing the Infirmary
Ghosts
What Seems to be the Problem?
We Don’t Know What’s Real
Thinking About It
Clara’s Dream Christmas
The Doctor’s Dream Christmas
Dreams Within Dreams
Believe in Santa
Sleigh Ride
A Reunion
Every Christmas is Last Christmas

Doctor Who Series 8 Soundtrack (Pack Shot) (Credit: Silva Screen)

The soundtrack is available to pre-order now.

FILTER: - Murray Gold - Music - Series 8/34

Wikileaks Reveal Doctor Who Film as Part of 8 Year Plan

Friday, 17 April 2015 - Reported by Marcus

The latest documents released by WikiLeaks reveal the desire of Sony and BBC Worldwide to make a Doctor Who movie.

Wikileaks has just published thousands of emails and documents that it obtained following a cyber-attack on Sony Pictures Entertainment last year. Included in the release are discussions between Sony executives about working with BBC Worldwide to produce a Doctor Who movie.

In an email to Sony Pictures Entertainment chief executive Michael Lynton, sent in January 2014, Sony's president of international production Andrea Wong said although the BBC were interested in the project it was the wrong time to push it. She said she had had discussions with Danny Cohen, the Director of BBC Television.

Just spoke to Danny Cohen re Dr Who. He said that while there has been tremendous interest (and pressure from BBCWW) to do a Dr Who film, the show runners feel very clear that they don’t want to do one at this moment. That said, over the course of the coming months, the show running team is coming up with an 8 year timeline for the brand – laying out all that will happen with it. He says that a film will certainly be a part of that timeline. So the answer is that a film won’t happen in the next year to 18 months, but it is expected that it will happen after that within the 8 year horizon. He expects the plan to be laid out by the end of the year...

Lynton asked if it would help if he met the showrunners when he visited the UK in March, but Wong advised him against the meeting.

Spoke to Danny and he doesn’t think it makes sense right now and actually might hurt our cause. He said that the creative team on the show have been having the movie conversation with BBC Worldwide in recent weeks and are very hot under the collar that their position on it is not being listened to or accepted....

Neither Sony or the BBC have responded to the specific leak. Sony has strongly condemned the release of material by Wikileaks saying "We vehemently disagree with WikiLeaks' assertion that this material belongs in the public domain."

FILTER: - Doctor Who

DWM Special: The Art of Doctor Who

Thursday, 16 April 2015 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Doctor Who Magazine Special: The Art of Doctor Who

The characters and scenarios from Doctor Who have been inspiring artists since 1963. The latest special edition of Doctor Who Magazine celebrates the best of their contributions to both the programme and the vast range of licensed products that rely on their skill.

“This is how the story of Doctor Who unfolded in the eyes of the artists who interpreted, shaped and represented the show,” says editor Marcus Hearn. “In fact, the story begins before the first episode was even transmitted – we have articles examining the creation of the Doctor Who logo and the filming of the original title sequence.”

This 100-page Special is packed full of stunning reproductions of original artwork from the Dalek annuals, the Doctor Who annuals, Doctor Who Weekly, the DVD range, the Radio Times, Target Books, TV Century 21, the VHS releases and more.

Other highlights include:

Articles covering the history of graphic design and illustration in Doctor Who, from the early 1960s to the present day.
Award-winning graphic designer Bernard Lodge explains how he created the series’ first four title sequences.
Concept artists Peter McKinstry and Matt Savage share their portfolios from 21st-century Doctor Who.
Interviews with Target Books artists Chris Achilleos, Jeff Cummins, Bill Donohoe, Roy Knipe, Tony Manero, Andrew Skilleter and Nick Spender.
Interviews with comics artists including Mike Collins, Martin Geraghty, Dave Gibbons, Richard Piers Rayner, John Ridgway, Nick Roche, John Ross, Adrian Salmon, Lee Sullivan and Alice Zhang.
Interviews with VHS and DVD cover artists Lee Binding, Colin Howard and Alister Pearson.

Doctor Who Magazine Special Edition: The Art of Doctor Who is available now.

FILTER: - DWM

Doctor Who Coming to DisneyXD

Wednesday, 15 April 2015 - Reported by Marcus

The exploits of the Tenth Doctor are coming to Disney XD in North America, from Saturday, May 9.

Disney XD, which is home to top-rated action adventure programming including Lucasfilm's Star Wars Rebels and Marvel Television's animated series, has picked up Doctor Who Series 2 to 4, starring David Tennant as the Doctor.

The series will begin st 9:00 p.m., ET/PT with a preview airing of New Earth following the Disney XD premiere of Fantastic Four. In "New Earth," the Doctor and Rose board the TARDIS for new adventures in time and space. But when they visit mankind’s new home, far in the future, they find gruesome secrets hidden inside a luxury hospital. And an enemy thought long since dead, the paper-thin Cassandra, is out for revenge.

Season Two, "Adventures in time and space," will continue to rollout on Disney XD beginning Saturday, June 13. The special week-long programming event will give fans eight episodes airing daily Saturday, June 13 through Saturday, June 20. Beginning June 14, episodes will also be available on the WATCH Disney XD app, which allows consumers to watch on tablets, phones, computers and connected TVs.

Marc Buhaj, Senior Vice President, Programming and General Manager, Disney XD said,

It has been a pleasure working with BBC and we are thrilled that their hallmark drama series 'Doctor Who' is joining the Disney XD programming line-up. This iconic series features the high-quality, high-stakes action and adventure storytelling that our viewers love. The show headlines one of the most charismatic lead characters in television in the form of the Doctor and showcases a compelling rogues' gallery of villains from around the universe.

Matt Forde, EVP Sales & Co-productions, TV, BBC Worldwide North America added

Disney XD is recognized for its family-friendly programming making the channel a great partner to introduce the David Tennant seasons of 'Doctor Who' to a new generation of viewers.

FILTER: - Broadcasting - Series 2/28 - Series 3/29 - Series 4/30 - USA

The Big Care Sign-Up 2015

Tuesday, 14 April 2015 - Reported by Harry Ward

This Sunday (19 April) will see The Big Care Sign-Up host an event to raise money for The Carers Centre, a charity based in LeicesterShire. As part of events there will be an auction of celebrity and entertainment memorabilia, including autographs from all 13 actors to have played the Doctor. Guests from Doctor Who will be John Levene (Sergeant Benton) and Matthew Dale (Big John, Robot Of Sherwood).

Album page signed by William Hartnell (First Doctor) and dedicated to Sylvia. Actress Wanda Hendrix has signed on the reverse.
Album page, signed by Patrick Troughton (Second Doctor), “Best wishes, Patrick Troughton”.
Vintage programme for the show "Lets Make a Night of It" at the Pier Pavilion in Worthing, signed on the first page by Jon Pertwee (Third Doctor). Good condition.
10” x 8” full colour photo of the Fourth Doctor and Daleks signed by Tom Baker (Fourth Doctor). Good condition.
Full colour photo of signed by Peter Davison (Fifth Doctor) and dedicated to Brenda, “To Brenda, With best wishes, Peter Davison”.
Doctor Who 50th Anniversary First Day Cover, signed by Colin Baker (Sixth Doctor), Bernard Cribbins (Wilfred Mott) and Katy Manning (Jo Grant)
Poster of The Witch Prime from The Minister of Chance, signed by Sylvester McCoy (Seventh Doctor and The Witch Prime)
Poster artwork signed by Paul McGann (Eighth Doctor)
British Legion Poppy Appeal Cover, signed by Sir John Hurt (War Doctor).
Full colour signed photo of Christopher Eccleston (Ninth Doctor).
Full colour signed photo of the Tenth Doctor, signed by David Tennant (Tenth Doctor). This autograph was signed in person at London BFI Doctor Who at 50 Season on Sunday 29th September 2013.
London Art programme signed by Matt Smith (Eleventh Doctor) and Jenna Coleman (as Jenna-Louise Coleman) (Clara Oswald) during the filming of The Day of The Doctor in Trafalgar Square. Unique sketches and doodles by Pete Worrall.
Full colour photo taken at time of Peter Capaldi’s reveal as the Twelfth Doctor, signed and dated with the words “All the Best from Peter Capaldi, 23 Nov 2013 50 Years of Dr. Who!!”, the day of its 50th Anniversary. The celebratory episode, The Day of The Doctor, also marked Capaldi’s brief first appearance in the role.