Saturday, October 15, 2011
As a child of the 70’s and 80’s, I have been to a few Doctor Who exhibitions in my time. From Longleat to Space Adventure, MOMI to the end of Brighton Pier. Initially in the company of my life long pal Adam and his Dad, a sympathetic Sci-Fi loving parent, and later on our own - once memorably cornering Sylvester McCoy for a fanzine interview. These, while thrilling, were always very much a one-way experience where one was invited to look but not touch.The Doctor Who Experience at London’s Kensington Olympia 2 promises a new dimension, with an interactive adventure including the chance to fly the TARDIS. I set off accompanied with my eldest daughter Francesca who is now very much a fan in her own right. It’s difficult to say who was more excited.
TARDIS outside Olympia 2© Ian McArdell 2011
The exhibition begins with the interactive adventure. In the holding area before the ‘interactive journey’ began, we were able to look at some displays from Series 5 stories. (Francesca: I enjoyed posing in the Silurian chair and having my photo taken in front of an Ironside Dalek).
Into the adventure itself: It began with an excellent montage of clips from the series, using some of the Doctor’s big speeches. After this, we entered into Starship UK’s museum where a Node from The Library gave use a tour. This was then interrupted by a call for help from the Doctor himself. To say too much more would be to spoil the surprises, but suffice to say there are three main elements to the story, A TARDIS ride, a monster encounter and then a 3D time vortex. The script is light and funny with Matt Smith delivering some cracking lines. The story re-uses elements from Series 5 such as the Pandorica and the crack in time, but remains easily accessible for someone not familiar with the shows. As an ardent Matt Smith fan, Francesca was thrilled to notice all the references, and did not find it too scary, just perhaps a bit loud in places. (Francesca: It was a little tiny bit scary when the Daleks nearly exterminated us, but at least I had Daddy with me).
Having assisted in saving the universe, and the Doctor, we entered into the main part of the exhibition. We were thrilled to see some items from A Christmas Carol, namely Elliot Sardick’s weather control station and Abigail’s cryogenic chamber with the former taking the form of a beautifully ornate church organ. (Francesca: I wanted to get inside the cryogenic chamber but not be frozen!) Sadly it was a look but not touch display.
On from this, all of the Doctor’s costumes were displayed, as well as a full sized TARDIS and Matt Smith mannequin. Despite looking like an Auton duplicate, I am pleased to say it did not lurch into life at any time! (Francesca: I liked the celery on the 5th Doctor’s costume although it didn’t look like the one in the picture. Dad said that’s because it was illusory celery!)
We spent a good deal of time pouring over a couple of display boxes at the rear of this area, entitled ‘the Doctor’s Gadgets’. In them, we found a variety of TARDIS keys and sonic screwdrivers from various eras of the show. Also present was the ‘Krafyis detector’ from Vincent and the Doctor and the Whisk from Amy’s Choice.
The Eccleston/Tennant TARDIS is truly a thing of beauty and it was great to get so close. Running on a large screen behind it was the Tenth Doctor’s regeneration sequence, to those stirring strains of ‘Vale Decem’ and we paused a while to watch the farewell and the birth of Eleven. (Francesca: It was cool, but I didn’t know TARDISes had enormous cinema screens in them!)
From there we progressed through a wonderful display of costumes from all the recent companions plus Sarah Jane, Jack, Astrid Peth. Apparently the latter was played by some sort of pop star – who knew? (Francesca: I liked Astrid’s dress and Amelia’s Duffle coat with the toggles!) Next to Sarah Jane’s costume from School Reunion was a battered K-9, still faithfully guarding his mistress and a brief note giving condolences for Elisabeth Sladen’s passing.
80s Console© Ian McArdell 2011
A real treat for me was the 80’s TARDIS console. Lights blinking beautifully and programmed for a flight sequence that included the time rotor going up and down, we paused a while. This was the TARDIS of my youth. (Francesca: It was awesome and really white with lots of colourful buttons.) In the corner, there was a long scarf draped around a hat stand, technically a mismatch with this version but it was still a lovely touch.
Hatstand & Scarf© Ian McArdell 2011
At the far end of the display, we also found an original TARDIS and the poor old Melkur, still looking creepily impressive despite his advancing years. (Francesca: I want to know how that is a TARDIS, Daddy says I’ll have to watch The Keeper of Traken.)
On to a great array of costumes and monsters, we moved through a display of Cyberheads, which lead on to an impressive gallery of Dalek designs. Starting with Davros, they went through the years from an original to a Special Weapons Dalek and most versions seemed to be represented, ending with a ‘Mini Cooper’ Dalek and an example of the new Paradigm. They really are much bigger than all the others are! (Francesca: I really liked the Emperor Dalek model from The Parting of the Ways but it looked very odd in comparison to all the others.) Also for comparison were three versions of Sontaran; 70s, 80’s and modern. Again, the height variation really took me aback when I saw it, as the current ones are tiny in comparison.
Mixing old and new monsters was a great idea, an Ice Warrior stood along side Cat Nuns, Zygon, Slitheen and Sycorax. Sadly, the Hoix was out for repair. We even found the Face of Boe lurking in the viewing room, keeping an eye on a Pig Slave and a scarecrow. I wondered if he might have a message for me, but apparently not.
Zygon© Ian McArdell 2011
We much enjoyed the ‘Walk like a Monster’ area, where we took instructions from choreographer Alisa Berk on how to move like both a Cyberman and a Scarecrow. Another good interactive element was the opportunity to add the effects to ‘Danny Boy’s’ attack on the Dalek Ship from Victory of the Daleks, as well as the chance to mix the show’s theme on giant faders. (Francesca: I liked the voice changer where you could make your voice sound like a Dalek or a Cyberman. We made the Dalek say ‘Delete delete’ for fun.) Also there was a fascinating display showing an Ood, with a mask cut away to reveal the animatronics beneath.
Ood Head with animatronics© Ian McArdell 2011
Lastly we came across a few more recent elements from the show. The wonderful ‘junk TARDIS’ with Idris’ costume and an acid suit from The Rebel Flesh. After that, exit through a little shop – the Doctor would approve.
The Doctor Who Experience is at Kensington Olympia Two and it has recently been announced that it will remain open in London until February 2012, before relocating to Cardiff. With both the interactive adventure and the exhibition you can easily while away two hours or more and we would heartily recommended it to fans of all ages. Look out online and in the press for voucher codes too.
There’s something else though, I’m sure I’m forgetting something. (Francesca: I don’t remember anything else Daddy...)
Silence© Ian McArdell 2011
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