20.10.2011 Press Release
The DOCTOR WHO EXPERIENCE is preparing for October half-term with a whole host of Monster themed activities to thrill visitors. On Friday 28th October children aged 5 – 16 dressed head-to-toe as DOCTOR WHO characters and monsters will be given free entry to the Experience when accompanied by a full-paying adult. To get ready for Halloween, DOCTOR WHO choreographer Ailsa Berk will be at the DOCTOR WHO EXPERIENCE in person on Friday 28th October giving visitors a chance to perfect their monster impersonation skills with special lessons on how to walk like real DOCTOR WHO monsters.
The Halloween treats continue on Saturday 29th with face painters onsite to give visitors DOCTOR WHO makeovers allowing fans to be turned into some of the shows scariest monsters! On Sunday 30th October live monsters will enter the DOCTOR WHO EXPERIENCE for the first time. Visitors will have a rare opportunity to come face- to -face with the Doctor’s terrifying adversaries the Cybermen and the Scarecrows.
The DOCTOR WHO EXPERIENCE allows visitors to join the Doctor on a journey through time and space, encountering some of the best-loved and scariest monsters from the hit international television series. Special scenes filmed with current Doctor Matt Smith combine with amazing special effects and the chance to enter a recreation of the modern TARDIS interior topped off by a breathtaking 3-D finale.
The exhibition element of the DOCTOR WHO EXPERIENCE charts the success of the show from the first series in 1963 to the most recent episodes starring Matt Smith and Karen Gillan. Displays include items never seen before including original costumes, the Tom Baker TARDIS police box and two authentic TARDIS sets from the eras of David Tennant and Peter Davison. The public are also able to get up close and personal with iconic sets from recent series, including the Pandorica Box and Chair and confront numerous monsters including several generations of the Daleks and Cybermen as well as Silurians, an Ice Warrior and The Silence.
Click for ticket pricing details
COMMENT (Press Preview Day)
Today (17.02.2011), it was "Press Day" at the DOCTOR WHO EXPERIENCE (eyeofhorus.org.uk joining a BBC RADIO TWO reporter and a DAILY TELEGRAPH reporter for the journey through the crack in the universe to reunite the Doctor with his TARDIS.
And there were many moments of sheer genius (The Crack itself was a revelation as the was materialisation of the TARDIS - and, yes, you do actually walk through the Police Box into the TARDIS Console Room - you'll be stroking the blue paint as you do; "I touched the TARDIS!"), sheer madness (Matt Smith's performance is mercurially eccentric - "You Shoppers!", as he addressed the visitors) and sheer creativity (the tilting and gyrating TARDIS as it travels through the vortex is wonderfully created but it could do with a more smoke and Cloister Bell). The plotline is intelligent, fast & furious and witty (which is important to engage & entertain a younger audience).
The 3D conclusion to the "interactive" (a few levers to pull in the TARDIS struggles to be truly interactive) experience was a "WOW" moment that, no matter now old or jaded you are, will make you beam like a Smiler or like the happy (Simm) Master.
You'll leave with that nagging question; "Did that xxxxx (alien name removed as spoiler) nearly touch me?"
The "interactive" section was over all too quickly and, due to the ushering from one "set" to another "set", you could hardly appreciate the attention to detail the designers have put in. Yeti activation globes, THE DAEMONS "Cloven Hoof" pub sign, a robot cleaner from PARADISE TOWERS and the telescope from TOOTH AND CLAW litter one of the "sets" but you don't have time to have a rummage. And you are whisked through a petrified forest of Weeping Angels quicker than you can say, "I don't want to go!". Shame
The static exhibition space consolidates 47 years of the drama series' history, replete with a number of impressive displays.
The panoramic display of Doctors' costumes wrap around the current TARDIS and a remarkable "waxwork" of the Eleventh Doctor. A work of art that even Vincent van Gogh would be envious of. Perfection.
There are opportunities to enter the world of "green screen" special effects as you can be digitally photographed in the Pandorica chair and in the TARDIS console room. However, the £12 fee for the privilege is steep.
One of the major displays is the reconstructed Ninth/Tenth Doctor's console room complete with metal grating flooring and, tantalisingly in the background, the TARDIS doors. Personally, I would have made this the final display and an opportunity to walk from the TARDIS into the retail space.
Opposite this console room is the version used from THE FIVE DOCTORS onwards and it doesn't show it's age either. Onwards to see the Tom Baker era TARDIS stands adjacent to THE KEEPER OF TRAKEN's Melkur/Master's TARDIS, the history of the Cybermen evolution is brief (all too brief - where are the full-length cyber costume from 1966 onwards?) followed by the evolution of the Daleks (the GENESIS OF THE DALEKS figure didn't deserve a "plaque"...). Yes, the Dalek from THE DEAD PLANET is the simplest and most stunning in design, whilst the the new paradigm version is hideously patronising.
Younger fans may find two of the displays less interesting but adults will find them fascinating; the BBC WALES DESIGN DEPT and DOCTOR WHO SOUNDS. These transport you into the hidden world of DOCTOR WHO, and offer a glimpse of genius. The SOUNDS display gives you an opportunity to strip the latest version of the theme tune into four distinct elements (a bass line, the electronic stings, etc) and hear them separately. Fascinating stuff but it would be nice to have some "cube" seating (normally provided in museums to watch the numerous screens.
The CLASSIC SERIES is well represented with the much talk about appearance of a Zygon, the K1 robot and an Ice Warrior Martian but the NEW SERIES takes precedence (though there are notable NEW SERIES absences - an un-helmeted Sontaran, a Silurian, Romanic Autons [sadly, the jerking Auton from the previous exhibition have had all their "electricity" turned off], and Vashta Nerada).
Considering that it was the most recent story, the display for A CHRISTMAS CAROL seemed like an after thought.
And, two hours later, it was all over. However, I could see children dragging their parents back into the exhibition which, I can only assume, that once was not enough. And quite right too.
The Shop (the sign should a subhead of the Tenth Doctor's quote of "I like a little shop") was, I am sorry to say, disappointing (no bigger than a detached house's living room) - and over-priced. £70 for a SERIES 4 boxset (AMAZON price £16). The action figure selection was limited to the recently released audiobook NEW SERIES Pandorica versions and a smattering of CLASSIC SERIES designs. The problem with a one-genre retail outlet is that those visiting will have bought/collected the items already, and if the price points are unrealistic then sales will be shallow. I could not see any "value priced items" such as character postcards that would not break the bank in these hard economic times.
The DWE is open until the end of November and it is hoped that more displays are are added once SERIES 6 is aired, and that more SERIES 1 - 4 (and SPECIALS) are added urgently to bulk out the voids. There are a few anomalies throughout the DWE; in the "interactive" waiting area this is an easel and van Gogh painting, with a static digital camera pointing at it but there is no instruction of what/how to do something.
The eyeofhorus.org.uk "Junior Reporter" (7 and three quarters) - and the DWE's target audience - was unable to attend the Press Day launch but as soon as he visits the DWE his views will appear here.
Sadly, even though I was (superbly attentive) assisted by a DWE Team member (Alex), the WiFi "interactivity" failed as it seems that all smartphones bar mine (a HTC) had not been tested.
Oh, and it was first of the "premium ticket" days (prior to the general opening on Sunday) and would have expected to have some "actors-in-costume" wandering around the DWE but, sadly, there were none. A gaggle of attentive logo-shirted staff but no "added-value"(expect a "goodie bag") active monsters/aliens.
Overall, whilst the DOCTOR WHO EXPERIENCE needs more displays to fill the voids, seating so you can "stop-and-watch" (the various television screens), a snagging list that is ticked-off every day (for example in the dalek control room, you could see beyond the "black-out curtains, and ensuring that the Supreme Dalek's lights are timed to the voice-track, and synching the visual to the cracking opening), the event is wonderfully imaginative and suitable for all the family (even though I saw one child with his fingers in his ears due to the loudness of speakers).
It may be, just may be, irresponsible of the BBC organisers not to set a lower age limit on visitors (especially for the "Experience interaction" - it is truly unsuitable for infants and children 3 or under.
(Additional thought - 20.02.2011) - The DWE is missing a trick in promoting the DOCTOR WHO brand; a extensive merchandise display both past and present. Kids love to a look through their friend's colections and say "Got. Got, Not got. Got." Imagine looking at 4 metre long display cabinet containing all the CHARACTER OPTIONS action figures, the Denys Fisher figures, and the first attempts at marketing the Daleks. The display could be sponsored by CHARACTER OPTIONS.
RESS RELEASE - EVENT CONTENT
The Doctor Who Experience allows you to join the Doctor on a journey through time and space, encountering some of the best-loved and scariest monsters from the hit international television series.
Special scenes filmed with Matt Smith as the Doctor will combine with amazing special effects and the chance for you to enter a recreation of the modern TARDIS interior.
The Doctor Who Experience allows visitors to join the Doctor on a journey through time and space , encountering some of the best-loved and scariest monsters from the hit international television series. Special scenes filmed with current Doctor Matt Smith combine with amazing special effects and the chance to enter a recreation of the modern TARDIS interior topped off by a breathtaking 3-D finale. The walk through experience is a fully contained interactive Doctor Who adventure, which puts the public at the heart of the action.
The exhibition element of the Doctor Who Experience will chart the success of the show from the first series in 1963 to the most recent episodes starring Matt Smith and Karen Gillan. Displays will include items never seen before including original costumes, the Tom Baker TARDIS police box and two authentic TARDIS sets from the eras of David Tennant and Peter Davison. The public will also be able to get up close and personal with iconic sets from recent series, including the Pandorica Box and Chair and confront numerous monsters including several generations of the Daleks and Cybermen as well as Silurians an Ice Warrior and a Zygon.
Following last week's announcement that BBC WORLDWIDE has confirmed that a permanent DOCTOR WHO exhibition charting the drama series' history will be open from 20 February 2011.
However, a limited number of fans will be able to preview the Exhibition ahead of the full public launch.
Be the first to step inside the TARDIS this spring by snapping up a limited edition preview ticket for the Doctor Who Experience. Exclusive preview packages go on sale at 9am on Monday 15th November, available from www.doctorwhoexperience.com /priority
The Doctor Who Experience will open on the 17th , 18th and 19th February 2011 ahead of the official public opening on 20th February allowing fans to experience the adventure before anyone else. In addition to being the first through the doors of the Doctor Who Experience , preview ticket holders will also receive special Doctor Who Experience limited edition merchandise created especially for these dates.
There are two types of limited edition preview tickets for either the 17th, 18th or 19th February 2011:
Sonic Screwdriver Ticket (Adult: £28.00 Child: £24.00) includes:
- A limited edition of the Doctor Who experience souvenir brochure
- A limited edition Doctor Who Experience souvenir ticket
TARDIS Ticket (Adult: £40.00 Child: £36.00) includes:
- A limited edition of the Doctor Who Experience souvenir brochure
- A limited edition Doctor Who Experience souvenir ticket
- An exclusive preview edition laminate & lanyard set
- A limited edition Doctor Who Experience lithograph
Fans can book these exclusive preview tickets via www.doctorwhoexperience.com /priority on Monday 15th November, guaranteeing entry before anyone else to this thrilling experience, ahead of the general public.
Booking fees may apply
