Still the Greatest Show in the Galaxy

That is what the convention called Utopia uses as its slogan, but it is? Let’s find out shall we?

Utopia is hosted in Oxfordshire, at a resort called Heythrop Park which is a stately home from the early 18^th century ad let tell you it’s worth the money just for the house and views it provides.

Now then the convention itself. It opens, officially, on the Friday night and we were treated to a talk from the organizers of Utopia, a game of Bingo which quickly dissolved into a free for all with the cards, and a talk through Katy Manning’s top ten moments in Doctor Who. I’m not ashamed to admit that for the last two clips I teared up a little. As she was leaving she caught sight of me, grabbed my hand and said ‘Hello sweetie, hello cutie’. This actually led me to descend into a gibbering wreck for, at least, half an hour and caused me to turn a bright shade of red. Katy then joined the rest of the audience for the two organizers talk.

On the Saturday it was a day of both highs and lows. Let’s begin with the highs shall we?

Me and Carol started the day by queuing up for Katy Manning’s autograph, I also took with my knitted doll of her Doctor, the 3^rd one as played by Jon Pertwee. When I showed it to her she absolutely adored it and I’m only sorry that I didn’t get a photo with her holding it. After this I retired to my room to get changed into my brand new cosplay, that of UNIT officer Sergeant Benton. This was in readiness for my photo with Katy Manning. I wanted my clothes to be a surprise for her so had to hide from her once when she was heading our way. Luckily I managed this and she was happily surprised with my outfit and proclaimed it a success. 

After Katy’s photo shoot it was time to queue up for the group photo which I wanted. They decided to take this outside into the lovely sunshine so that we’d have the house as the back. I was one of the lucky ones and managed to get a nice photo from it, many didn’t due to the photographer rushing. After the group shots it was time for the big guest’s photo shoot; Carol Ann Ford. Unfortunately this is also where the day goes down hill.

During the whole day it was evident that series events had conspired to set everything back so Fantom Films were desperately trying to catch up with everything. Me and Carol joined the queue for Carol Ann and waited, and waited, and waited. Eventually we were told that she was no longer doing photos but would still being doing Autos. However, there still a stupidly long wait, and it turned out that Carol Ann was actually refusing to come out of the Green Room. Well that did it for me, on principle that she was being like this I refused to get her autograph. Disappointing yes and annoying but I am a man of my principles. After Carol had got her autographs from Carol Ann me and her headed outside for our meeting with Iris Wildthyme, a wacky time and space adventuress portrayed by the delectable Katy Manning. Unfortunately, because of FF trying to recover their lost time, we ended up missing it. However we were invited to the reading of the latest Iris book on her traveling bus and Katy also joined us and we actually had a very enjoyable time, including having photos of Katy and Iris’s creator, Paul Magrs, in front of the bus.

The evening’s entertainment consisted of a number of things, firstly we were treated to a screening of Part One of the re-imagined Power of the Daleks, and allowed a sneak peek at Part Two. Following on from that was quiz which saw Anneke Wills pitted against Lisa Bowerman. This was then followed by a quiz of embarrassing proportions, which saw Barnaby Edwards dancing to Billy Piper. Being unable to stand the dancing a few of us headed down to the Billiards room and had a game, which was very enjoyable and actually saw me playing well surprisingly. The evening came to a close at around half one in the morning and consisted of a lovely conversation with the two Dalek Operators that were in residence that weekend.

Come Sunday and we had a positive slurry of autographs to get. David Banks was first on my list, the Cyberleader from the classic series. We had a lovely conversation about the Cybermen before I moved onto the two Dalek Operators. After them it was a very lazy day of a quick photo with David Banks and then just relaxing around the grounds. The evening soon arrived and the convention was bought to a close to much applause. Me and Carol, and two others, retired to the restaurant then and proceeded to have a wonderful meal and a lovely glass of Rose wine. After which we retired to the bar before heading to our beds.

I should point out a little pettiness on my part. On the same weekend as this there was another event running in Peterbourgher, called The Greatest Show in Galaxy, which was choker block with guests. I’m have to admit that, when Carol got a text from a friend saying the it had been full of problems on the first day, I did smile and laugh at that. Yes this was petty of me but I was at a different convention while another was running and who might have even ‘nicked’ some guests from Utopia.

Anyway, that aside lets get back to the event I was at and my thoughts on it as a whole. This was my first Fantom Films event and it was a very enjoyable one, yes there were problems, after all no event can go on perfectly. But Fantom Films endeavored to solve these problems as quickly and efficient as they could. I definitely wouldn’t mind going Utopia again. A definite thumbs from me and I declare; 8 out of 10.

Memorabilia 2012 March

So last weekend I went to the Birmingham Memorabilia and MCM Expo, usually I would go to the Expo because it never interests due to being full of Anime freaks, Anime being something I have nothing but disdain for. Now I wasn’t going to originally go due to two facts; the first being that I had work on the Saturday until one o’clock and also there were no guests attending that I wanted to see. However, I did end up going due to a desire to see my friends, many of which I had not seen since November.

Once I arrived at the NEC I had a stupidly long walk from the train station to the two halls that were hosting the two events. I mean seriously! It was about twenty minutes of walking to get there, just stupid in my opinion. Once I got there though I did have a great time. It was great to see my friends, even though I didn’t see a lot of them on the Saturday due to the time in which I arrived but it was great to see those I did see. It was even better when I got to meet Rachel who I had only chatted to online. Towards the end I looked to have a chat to Colin Baker, who played and still does play the sixth Doctor, about his latest Big Finish audio story which I loved. Sadly people kept on butting in before I could get a chance and I never got to talk to him. I also ran into Natasha from Franks Autographs, who is responsible for my knitted Doctor Who dolls, I always enjoy having a chat with her and Frank about their products and I was delighted to learn that the Sylvester McCoy doll, which I ordered in November, had been completed and was on it’s way to them so they could send it to me.  

After the event closed me and some friends ended up at the Hilton where I got to see Ruth, Nat and Liz again, along with Tim and his lovely little girl. I also saw John, who I met at Dimension last November, and his girlfriend who is also a major Doctor Who fan. WE spent the majority of the night drinking and chatting, with Nat trying to get me to come to stop at hers for a few days after Utopia in May. Eventually me and Carole bade goodbye and retired to our hotels to sleep the sleep of champions. 

Come Sunday and I found myself in the Weatherspoons near the halls having a full English breakfast and washing it down with a cider, which was divine. Following this I booked myself into the event and checked my bags into the clock room. Once again I had a fantastic day. I gained a few Doctor Who necklaces for a fiver each, bargain! I also acquired an A3 copy of Sheldon Cooper’s Friendship Algorithm from the Big Bang Theory TV show. I also got a proper chance to hangout with Steven, who is one of the best 11^th Doctor cosplayers around, he spent the day as the Raggedy Doctor from The Eleventh Hour episode and greatly impressed me by only changing his outfit once towards the end of the day. Francesca also attended this day and dressed as the Kiss-O-Gram Amy Pond, once again from The Eleventh Hour episode. Those two quickly stuck together and proceeded to shang-haid Stephen who was taking photos. I also joined them and we actually ended up with around 3 memory cards worth of photos I’m sure.

Overall the weekend was a huge success for me, not in terms of guests but then I never go to Memorabilia or Collectormania for them, but in terms of seeing my friends and those that I care about….well like I said it was a huge success. I am now eagerly looking forward to my next convention, it being Utopia in Oxford, where I will get to meet Carol Ann Ford who played Susan, the Doctor’s granddaughter in the classic series. 

Oh my giddy aunt!

I have that as my title because it's been so long since I updated. However, I do believe I can be excused, after all Christmas and New Year have just occured and that is a time for family and fun with much dashing to and fro. In short a busy, the busiest, time of year. But I have returned and not only is it now 2012 but it's the start of a new Convention season for me. Starting at the beginning of next month my diary, if I had one that is, is choker full of events and holidays.

Since you last heard from me I have finished off my 'Closing Time'/ 'Wedding of River Song' 11th Doctor outfit and have also completed my 9th Doctor outfit and made a small addition to my Harold Saxon cosplay. In addition to this I have decided on the two cosplays I will work on this year, the first of which is a secret one but is a tribute to the 3rd Doctor's era, and the second one being that of the Raggedy Doctor from The 11th Hour.

That is all for tonight be check in tomorrow for my last poem, looking at the Time Lords themselves

Cosplaying- Costume Play

It has come to my attention that this subject is, to my mind, divided into to camps. The first of these camps feature those of us that Cosplay for the fun of it, the joy of dressing up as the Doctor, or as Amy etc. We care not that the jacket is not the right colour, or that the shirts not the right pattern.

The second camp, however, while most likely doing it for the fun of it as well, also see it as job I believe. They are accurate to the degree of it being obsessive. Everything has to be perfect for them, the coat must be the right colour, and the right make, and have the right buttons. Everything must be screen accurate.

Now I myself fall somewhere in between these two camps. I do like items and clothing to be as screen accurate as I can make it, however, I'm not going to lose sleep over it if they aren't. Take, for example, my Harold Saxon PM cosplay. Now you see he wears a ring on his right wedding finger, but do I? No I don't, I wear on my left index finger, where it feels the most comfortable and right.

Now then, the real reason for this post. I, myself, have no problem what so ever with those people who reside in the latter camp, those who need all aspects of their outfit to be perfect. The problem I do have with said group, and this does not include everyone in that group mind you, is when people look at those in the former group, who do it for fun, and criticise and generally look down their noses  at them. So what if it's not the right jacket or the right shirt! People are doing this for fun! And for someone to take one looks and just dismiss the outfit infuriates me to such extremes.

So to end this post I will send out this quite clear warning. Woe betide anyone that see's a cosplay costume and then when the cosplayer has departed say that it's shit or something and I am in hearing distance. I shall unleash a fury upon you that has not been seen for long time.

The Master

So, after a lengthy absence, sorry about that by the way, I am back and back to my little poems. This time I'd like to talk to you all about the Master, the Doctor's arch-nemesis. This was the first time that another rogue Time Lord was introduced and re-appeared in numerous stories, in fact he he would appear in at least one story for each of the Doctors from the third to the eighth. However, this was not the plan at first. Oh no no, the Master was originally planned to die in the last of Jon Pertwee's stories where he would die to save the Doctor and be revealed as the Doctor's brother. However this was not be as the actor, Roger Delgado, sadly died before the story could be shot. Since then the Master has popped up continually to be a pain in the Doctor's backside before finally seeming to die to save the Doctor in David Tennant's last story, however it is likely that he will return. The Doctor and the Master have always seemed to be intertwined  as well, it is widely accepted that, even if they are not related, they knew each other at the Time Lord academy and were in fact friends. In fact on particular book (Divided Loyalties) describes this friendship, and the Doctor's friendship with other rogue Time Lords, as being part of a group called the Deca. Also, in Planet of Fire, when the Doctor has a chance to save the Master from certain death, although he did escape somehow, the Master declares 'would you do this to your own'. Sadly we never hear what the last word would have been; friend maybe? Or maybe brother? Whatever the Master's relation to the Doctor it can be assured that he will always return.

The Master

The Moriarty to the Doctor’s Sherlock

A member of the Doctor’s own race; the Time Lords

A suave psychopath with a mutual respect for the Doctor, seeing him as almost his equal

Became obsessed with survival towards the end of his life, willing to destroy the Time Lords to gain it.

Stole a body and became more flamboyantly evil and bombastic. More charismatic, deadly and sophisticated.

Resurrected to fight in the Time War but fled

Became more sadistic and manipulative, shared many traits with the Tenth Doctor

Apparently sacrificed himself to save the Doctor against Rassilon; Lord President of the Time Lords

Memorabilia 2011- Saturday

Memoriabilia. The last con, for me, of the year. Set at the Birmingham NEC, it hosted all manner of different guest from T.V shows and films. Once again there were many different cosplayers from different genres of shows. Sadly there was a large contingent of the 501st, the large Star Wars cosplayers who are so far up their own arse!

The Saturday started off rather well, we had all arrived the previous night, apart from our Rory, at the Travel Lodge at the airport and in the morning we all piled into a taxi and got to the NEC around half eight. We were all dressed up as different characters from Doctor Who. We had a Donna, a ninth Doctor, a eleventh Doctor, Miss Frizzy was Lucy Saxon and I was, once again, Harold Saxon. Once we got in we headed quickly over to the photo area and got all the pictures we needed for the day. After that it was just a matter of having a nice wander before it filled up. Once the photos started I for one, was rushed off my feet. Everyone I had a photo with was lovely though; ranging from Kai Owen (Rhys from Torchwood) to Sir Derek Jacobi (The Master). They were all lovely people. My only problem is that the Only Fools and Horses photo shoot was held up by over half an hour due to the staff not capping the autograph ques for ages.

After I had all the photo shoots done me, Miss Frizzy and Uncle-of-Mine rushed out of the hall and headed towards where a load of different Doctor Who cosplayers were filming a 500 Miles music video. With that done we made our way back inside the main hall and killed the time a little until it closed. At that point we departed back to our hotel for food, drink and general merriment. After we'd had food we all decided to do a little fan-filmed episode featuring the Doctor, Rory (who joined us that day) and the Master with a cameo from the 9th Doctor and Donna. Much amusement was taken from the filming and I'm sure the bloopers will far outstrip the actual finished product.

Dimensions 2011- John Levene. 'Sergant Benton got me drunk!"

Well as promised, a bit later then it should be, I can present you with a post about the wonderful John Leven.
As we all know John Levene played Sergant Benton in the 70s during Jon Pertwee and, to  a lesser extent, Tom Baker's time as the Doctor.

Until recently he had lived in America but he has finally returned and he is a absoloute delight to be with and to talk with. On the Saturday of Dimensions me and Miss Frizzy attented the Celeb Gala meal as MR and Mrs Saxon and had the honour of having John at the table. He was an absoloute delight to eat with. He kept us all entertained throughout the meal and...well he got me very drunk. :P Both me and him seemed to take it in turns to fill each others glasses up as soon as it got a little low. This then resulted in me invading the stage to dance during Barry Noble's singing.

On the Sunday I went to see John and to get his autograph, once again we got talking and had a brilliant time. The photo he signed was brilliant and his autograph was so personal that it has to be my favorite autograph ever and I don't think anything will ever surpass it. After the autograph I asked if he wouldn't mind speaking into my video camera for a bit. He said he would and gave a magnificent little talk about a number of thing. You can find the video on youtube under the title of 'Dimensions 2011-John Levene'.

John has have been one of the best people I have had the privilege to meet. John if you do end up reading this blog, and this post in particular, that it was an honor to meet you and I look forward to seeing you again!