How is it Monday morning already?! Every time I travel, especially to London, I marvel at the way time just speeds up, no matter how much or how little I see and do. Bill is already en route to the airport for his flight home and I’m writing (or at least starting) this post before heading out for another walking tour. And in just a couple of days, I’ll be flying home myself! I’ll continue to pretend I have much more time than that by reliving the fun I’ve already had though. Sound good? 🙂
This post will actually be pretty short as our Saturday, while fun, all centered around one event. As you likely guessed from the title, that event was Doctor Who-related! So what was it this time? Two years ago, when I was once again here with Bill and Felicity (along with other friends), we attended a little convention in Wales, but this time we were going to a screening. Well, it was technically two screenings. For the last several years, Doctor Who has been released in complete season sets on Blu-ray, with all sorts of fun extras, like new documentaries, additional restoration work, tons of existing DVD bonuses, etc. and today’s screenings included one of the new documentaries, along with a full, four-episode story from the next season getting the Blu-ray treatment (Season 13). The documentary was a biographical piece about actor Ian Marter, who played one of the Doctor’s traveling companions, Harry Sullivan, and who sadly died at the very young age of 42, while the story was the much-lauded 1975 adventure Terror of the Zygons. Like many fans, I love all these new extras and I particularly like the biographical documentaries, so I was really excited to watch this one. It didn’t disappoint – lots of good information, great “talking heads” with personal connections to Ian (his wife, son, friends, etc.), and a genuinely touching story. Wonderful stuff and I’m excited for other fans to see it when the boxset comes out next month! As for the actual Doctor Who story we watched, that was also a lot of fun. I’ve seen every Doctor Who story, so this wasn’t a new viewing for me, but I haven’t watched it for awhile, so it was fun to see it again, especially with a theater full of fellow Who fans. A great time was had!
In addition to the screenings, there were introductions, interludes, interviews, and even giveaways sprinkled throughout, which helped pass the time (we were spending several hours in a theater, after all, so the extra stuff was a nice way to keep things interesting). These screenings, which happen at BFI Southbank, tend to always be done as teasers every time one of these boxsets is about to come out, but this was the first time I was able to attend one myself and I really enjoyed the experience! And after the fun of the screenings, we had a fun time hanging around the BFI bar (well, barS, as there are a few!) with friends. In addition to our little group, a couple other friends were also at the screenings, but I learned that the after-screening time in the bar is treated like a mini-convention, with folks from the area just showing up to drink and hang out. So I saw several Who friends and acquaintances, which made the day that much better!
Despite spending the day in a theater, I still managed to get a little selection of photos!
A couple of photos taken before the Zygons screening. Both Justin and Dick work for the BFI, so had some general info to share about the story, the itinerary for the day, etc. and then transitioned into giving some goodies away.
We got to hear from a few guests throughout the event and learned more about Character Options (the company that produces a full range of Doctor Who action figures), the audio work done for this story (from both the original sound technician and the expert who does audio work for the new Blu-ray boxsets), and the Museum of Classic Sci-Fi, located way up north in Allendale, Northumberland. I’d love to visit someday!
We later heard from Mike Tucker, a visual effects guru who worked on the updated version of Zygons. The “monstrous” picture includes an original hand-puppet prop used in the story along with it’s newly-made counterpart, which was used to improve some of the shots for the Blu-ray set. As you can see from the last photo, it’s still a hand puppet though!
And that was really it for Saturday! I’d love to go to future screenings like this, so keep your eyes on the blog to see if that happens. 🙂
That One Guy Who Travels 
Loving your posts, Jeff! I’m diving into your archives because I’ll be going to London for my first time next week. Cory’s been there before, but it’s been decades. Where do you recommend a first timer stay – closer to Picadilly, Tower Bridge or? I’d like to be stationed close to the tube for getting around. We’ll also be going to the Vikings game at Tottenham later. Bummed the Tim Burton exhibit ended! 🙂 Thanks!
Oh how fun!! You’re going to love it. 😍 As far as where to stay, there are sooooo many options! It’s hard to stay in London and not be near a tube or train station of some kind, so definitely look up which station is closest to the stadium and other things you’re doing to do and try to find a hotel near a station on that line(s). Especially since you’ve never been here before, I think staying more central is best. Keep in mind that more central means more money, but you’ve probably ready about the Premier Inn hotels I stay at, which are good value for money. Hard to go wrong with any of them!!
Ooh, great tips–thanks! Enjoy the rest of your journey!