Warm Up Those Running Legs, Because The First Aussie 'Doctor Who' Festival Is Coming

26 June 2015 | 11:41 am | Staff Writer

Allons-y!

Considering that Doctor Who recently celebrated the 50th anniversary since its premiere, it's actually somewhat unthinkable that we've never had an official festival for the show Down Under — sure, we've had conventions and gatherings and cinema screenings, but we've never had a festival.

That's all set to change, though, with the announcement that the Australian and New Zealand arm of BBC Worldwide is bringing the first-ever Doctor Who Festival Down Under, vworping its way into Sydney's Royal Hall Of Industries & Hordern Pavilion on Saturday & Sunday, 21-22 November this year with show-runner Steven Moffat and Twelfth Doctor Peter Capaldi in tow!

Along with the exclusive displays of props, costumes and other show paraphernalia on offer, fans will be able to partake in Q&As with cast and crew, take a shot at nabbing some limited photo and autograph opportunities, enjoy a series of interactive workshops and prove their prowess in the Ultimate Doctor Who quiz.

"Being unveiled as [The Doctor] in Sydney at last year's world tour, and meeting the fantastic Australian fans was such as cosmic, life-changing experience that I'm thrilled to be coming back for a full weekend of Time Lord mania," Capaldi said in a statement.

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The Aussie incarnation of the Doctor Who Festival comes only a week after its British counterpart wraps up, and Capaldi will continue on to New Zealand following Australia's event to spend an intimate evening with his fans on 24 November — more details will be announced in the near future.

Tickets to the first-ever Australian Doctor Who Festival will set you back $195 (GA, $99 concession) or $365 for VIP TARDIS passes ($265 concession); the former will get one day's entry to the event, plus access to three separate theatre shows to see the cast and writers, plus usual kit of lanyard, show planner and all the activities. TARDIS tickets are a step up, including everything you'd get with a general pass plus preferential seating for theatre shows, exclusive access to the fancy-sounding TARDIS Lounge (plus two free drinks) and a free Doctor Who goodie bag valued at $110. Not bad at all.

Pre-sale registration is open now; see the Doctor Who Festival website for more information. Tickets will be available via Ticketek.

Doctor Who recently wrapped screening the eighth season of its revival series, which returned to screens in 2005 under the guidance of then-show-runner Russell T Davies and short-lived, underrated Ninth Doctor Christopher Eccleston. The ninth season, once again starring Peter Capaldi as the returning Twelfth Doctor, will air on ABC this year.

events and activities

Q&AS

See the writers and cast from the series as they talk about how to make an idea become reality on a series as big and bold as Doctor Who.

PHOTO AND AUTOGRAPH OPPORTUNITIES

A limited number of opportunities for photos and autographs with selected talent.

WARDROBE DEPARTMENT

A fantastic exhibition of costumes and props.

DOCTOR WHO QUIZ

Hosted in a traditional themed setting, fans will have the chance to test their knowledge for the chance to win some great prizes.