Full Circle- by @Dr_Who_Con_Fans

On Wednesday we embark on our journey into E-Space with the Doctor, Romana and K9. The first story is one that marks the start of my love affair with Doctor Who. The Marshmen rising out of the mist covered swamp is always an image that will stay in my mind as it both scared and excited me both at the same time. This, for me, is the magic of Doctor Who. It is a programme that can both scare and enthrall and this applies both to adult and child alike.

So the plot, well its really quite simple. The Doctor loses control of the TARDIS and finds himself in an alternative universe known as E-Space, whilst attempting to find a way out our intrepid crew land on Alzarius and all is not well. How many times does this happen to the Doctor?  Wouldn't it be amazing for him to land in a place and find absolutely nothing untoward, have a rest, perhaps something to eat and leave again!

This episode is significant as it introduces  the character of Adric to the show as a regular companion. A great deal has been written about Adric and it has to be said most of it wasn't glowing. I think he has his strengths, his excellent keen mind allows him to debate with the Doctor on almost an equal level. He has, however, a tendency to strop (as most teenagers can do) and this can make him a tad annoying at times.

The other event that everyone remembers Full Circle for is what befalls K9, its not pleasant but then neither is what happens to poor Romana. (if you don't like spiders I'd turn away)

I love this story as it is fun, eventful and full of colourful (literally in the Marshmens case, they're green!) characters.

So please join us on Wednesday at 7.30pm as we depart this universe and start our journey through E-Space. You won't regret it and yes you can "trust me on this"
#DWBar

E-Space³ = RWS² - ATSM Interviews with Composers Paddy Kingsland and Peter Howell

One of the neat things about the E-Space Trilogy on the Doctor Who Bar is that it is at the heart of Series 18, the first season where the BBC Radiophonic Workshop provided not only a revised version of the Doctor Who theme, but the incidental music as well. From the opening minutes of The Leisure Hive we knew that Doctor Who was changing and in a way, Series 18 was a grand experiment. While Roger Limb would be involved later with the Keeper of Traken, two composers made significant contributions to this trilogy - Radiophonic Workshop composers Paddy Kingsland (who would score Full Circle and State of Decay) and Peter Howell (Warrior's Gate). The amount of music both contributed to Series 18 is staggering - both Peter Howell's opening score to Series 18 The Leisure Hive, and Paddy Kingsland's Logopolis are groundbreaking in a series that would see off not only John Leeson's K9 Mark II and Lalla Ward's Romana II, but the longest serving Doctor himself Tom Baker.

Paddy Kingsland at the Radiophonic Workshop

Patrick ‘Paddy’ Kingsland is a composer of electronic music best known for his incidental music for science fiction series on BBC radio and television whilst working at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. He joined the BBC as a tape editor before moving on to become a studio manager for BBC Radio 1. In 1970 he joined the Radiophonic Workshop where he remained until 1981. His initial work was mostly signature tunes for BBC radio and TV programmes before going on to record incidental music for programmes including The Changes, two versions of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: the second radio series and the TV adaptation, as well as several serials of Doctor Who. His work on the latter series included incidental music for the following serials: Meglos, Full Circle, State of Decay, Logopolis, Castrovalva, The Visitation, Mawdryn Undead and Frontios.

Other well known series which contained music composed by Paddy Kingsland are Around the World in 80 Days and Pole to Pole, both travel series by Michael Palin. Paddy Kingsland also composed music for many schools’ television series including Words and Pictures, Rat-a-tat-tat, Watch, Numbercrew, Storytime, English Express, Music Makers, Hotch Potch House and the Look and Read stories “Joe and the Sheep Rustlers” and “The Boy from Space”. Since leaving the BBC, composed music for the KPM music library, television, commercials and corporate videos. He also owns his own studio, PK Studios. He is currently composing the music for the CITV series “Blips” produced by Ragdoll Productions.

In 1973, Fourth Dimension, a compilation of his early signature tune work for the Radiophonic Workshop, was released and in 2002 his incidental scores for the Doctor Who serials “Meglos” and “Full Circle” featured as part of the Doctor Who at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop compilation series. Eight albums of his library music work have been issued by KPM.

Paddy Kingsland – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paddy_Kingsland

Paddy Kingsland and PSK Studios - http://www.pkstudios.co.uk/about.html

Listen to our interviews with BBC Radiophonic Workshop Composer Paddy Kingsland:

ATSM Episode 10 – The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Paddy Kingsland – Part I – Discussion with Tony/ Siobhan Gallichan

ATSM Episode 11 – The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Paddy Kingsland – Part II – Paddy Kingsland Interview Part I

ATSM Episode 12 – The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Paddy Kingsland – Part III – Paddy Kingsland Interview Part II

Peter Howell at the Radiophonic Workshop

Peter Howell is a musician and composer who worked at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop from 1974-1997 – shortly before the workshop disbanded. His musical career began in the 1960s where he played what is referred to as ‘psychedelic folk’ with groups ranging from Agincourt to others.  Beyond his contributions to Doctor Who, Howell’s prolific output includes scores for science fiction series, dramas, documentaries and children’s television including Horizon, The Body in Question and Michael Palin’s Full Circle. 

Peter Howell began his work on Doctor Who began in 1975 with an uncredited contribution to Revenge of the Cybermen. Carey Blyton composed the incidental music for this serial, but producer Philip Hinchcliffe asked the BBC Radiophonic Workshop to enhance the score, which was done by Peter Howell, adding synthesizer cues to Blyton’s score. Additionally he performed special sound design on Serial 4H – Story 81 – the Planet of Evil. Later, when John Nathan-Turner became producer of Doctor Who in 1980, he approached Peter Howell and the Radiophonic workshop to create a new arrangement of Ron Grainer’s Doctor Who theme as well as to provide incidental music, thus replacing Dudley Simpson who had been the longest-running composer on Doctor Who. In addition to his score to the Leisure Hive, Howell’s incidental music contribution spans the Tom Baker stories Warrior’s Gate, the Peter Davison stories Kinda, Snakedance, the Five Doctors, the Awakening and Planet of Fire as well as the Colin Baker story the Two Doctors – his final contribution to the series. Along with composer Paddy Kingsland, Howell also composed part of the for Meglos, as well as scoring the Doctor Who spinoff special K9 and Company and Jon Pertwee’s Radio Dramas The Paradise of Death and The Ghosts of N-Space. His music would also appear in the 1999 Steven Moffat Doctor Who spoof – the Curse of the Fatal Death – starring Rowan Atkinson as the Doctor.

Since his days at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, Peter Howell is the founding Director of Sound Music Design Ltd, a company specializing in providing of music and sound design for the film, television and radio. In May of 2009, Howell participated  in a live concert revival of the Radiophonic Workshop at The Roundhouse in London. Additionally Howell teaches music and sound design at the National Film and Television School, as well as lectures at Bournemouth University’s Media Department, Leeds College of Music, and the Screen Academy Scotland where he has trained over 40 composers who now compose music for feature films, theatre, television and computer games.

Peter Howell – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Howell

Peter Howell's Blog – http://peter-howell.blogspot.com

Peter Howell’s website – http://www.peterhowell.plus.com/

Peter Howell’s early work – http://www.howell-ferdinando.co.uk/

Listen to our interviews with BBC Radiophonic Workshop Composer Peter Howell: 

ATSM Episode 18 – The Ever-Changing Musical Worlds of Peter Howell – Peter Howell Interview Part I

ATSM Episode 19 – The Ever-Changing Musical Worlds of Peter Howell – Peter Howell Interview Part II

Recordings Featuring BBC Radiophonic Workshop Composers Paddy Kingsland & Peter Howell:

Doctor Who – The Music (1983, Reissued by Silva Screen Records in 1992) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_Who_-_The_Music

Doctor Who – The Music II (1983, Reissued by Silva Screen Records in 1992) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_Who_-_The_Music_II

Doctor Who at the Radiophonic Workshop Volume 2: New Beginnings (2000) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_Who_at_the_BBC_Radiophonic_Workshop_Volume_2:_New_Beginnings1970%E2%80%931980

Doctor Who at the Radiophonic Workshop Volume 3: The Leisure Hive (2002) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_Who_at_the_BBC_Radiophonic_Workshop_Volume_3:_The_Lesiure_Hive

Doctor Who at the Radiophonic Workshop Volume 4: Meglos & Full Circle (2002) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_Who_at_the_BBC_Radiophonic_Workshop_Volume_4:_Meglos_%26_Full_Circle 

For more episodes & information on Adventures in Time, Space and Music, please visit us at http://atsm.phillipwserna.com/.

The E-Space Trilogy By @The_Knights87

Oh what can happen when you fly through a charged CVE.  Well you end up in E-Space that’s what.  What’s E- Space you say? Well E- Space is not a parallel universe but a universe existing alongside ours.  Well it just so happened that The Doctor, Romana and K-9 were aboard the TARDIS heading to Gallifrey when they flew through a charged CVE and ended up in E – Space. 

What is commonly called the E – Space Trilogy by fans of Classic Who consists of three very different stories that helped comprised season 18’s entropy themed season.  Full Circle, State of Decay and Warriors Gate are very cleverly written and also have some historical significance to the history of Doctor Who. 

Full Circle has the dubious distinction of being the story that introduces Adric.  That’s right.  That whiny companion who many people do not like at all myself included.  It takes place on the planet Alzarius.  There the Doctor and Romana arrive right when mistfall occurs and the rise of the Marshman from the planets marshes appear.

State of Decay is a true vampire story written by old Doctor Who stalwart Terrance Dicks.  It is an awesome story that pits the Doctor against the ultimate evil Vampires.  Or more accurately The Doctor must stop the Great Vampire.  The Great Vampire is an old enemy of the Timelords from the old days.  It is the sworn duty of any Timelord who happens upon The Great Vampire to kill it and prevent it from conquering the universe. 

Warriors Gate is the story that sees the departure of Romana and K- 9 from the TARDIS.  It is a pretty basic story that takes place entirely in the studio.  But what they do with it is quite amazing.  From the ship to the Gate itself this story boasts some impressive sets and what they did with the green screen shots for 1980 was pretty impressive. Most impressive is the world behind the mirror which has some pretty cool imagery which still stands up today.  It also boasts an anti-slavery message as Romana leaves in order to help release the Thralls from slavery. 

The E – Space Trilogy was something different and regarded by some as some pretty fine stories from season 18.  I enjoyed each of the stories that comprise the trilogy as each story brings something different and has its own little niche. The thing about the stories is that they could stand on their own without the linking aspect of E – Space. 

The E – Space trilogy has some wonderful moments and some good performances by the regular cast.  In fact you could say that Tom baker really shined in these stories and you can truly see how magical he was in the role of The Doctor. So I hope you join us for the next three Wednesdays as we revisit season 18’s E – Space Trilogy.

Hilarious Hairstyles - words by @Dr_Who_Con_Fans and pictures by @cheezypeas

On Saturday we will be watching the Doctor Who story that has been voted the most popular "Hilarious Hairstyle" by you. Over the shows near fifty year run there have been plenty of examples of times when hairstyles go bad. I would suggest there may have been a very good reason for the follicle faux pas that have so amused us fans over the years. However, because of the tight and limited budgets, as well as the sci-fi nature of the show it may have been decided that the best and cheapest way to demonstrate the people on screen are not of this particular world would be to give them the oddest and weirdest hairstyles! The thinking behind this being that no human being would ever go out looking like that. Below we have given eleven examples of what we feel are the worst offenders of hilarious hair.

Enjoy because..... you're worth it!!!

The Ark 1966

William Hartnell. The Monoids were a race of creatures with one eye and "Cousin It" style hair (I use the term loosely). It is hard to decide whether Dodo Chaplet is more scared of the creature or its silly hair. Mind you her hair wasn't a great deal better.

The Monster of Peladon 1974

Jon Pertwee. The Royal Beast or Aggedor to his friends (he didn't have many) looks like A.L.F (popular 80's t.v programme) on a really bad day. Bad hair, bad attitude and generally not someone you'd invite for texting and scones.  He did however get very fond of the Doctor, so if you thought K9 was his first pet then think again!

The Carnival of Monsters 1973

Jon Pertwee. Vorg (male) and Shirna (female) both are equally bad in the hair region. Vorg has a terrible head of hair that is clinging to his scalp by gravity only. To combat this he has added a Pyrex bowl which doubles as a handy way to casserole and also maintain the position of his hair. Off subject but he is also being attacked by multicoloured cheerios for some reason! Shirna has a terrible curled mop which has been accessorised by pom poms on sticks. Awful!

The Masque of Mandragora 1976

Tom Baker. Frederico here has a lego head hairstyle. If you recall your childhood the lego men had hair that looked the same whichever way you moved it. Bad split ends so obviously doesn't use Pantene and he is attempting to deflect attention away from his appalling mop by adding a lightening converter. Bad idea!  He should've went to Specsavers!
  

The Robots of Death 1977

Tom Baker. Taron Capel (Dask) looks like a teddy bear to be honest. Here we see him perusing the latest issue of "how to improve your hair so you don't turn into a psychotic mad man" and obviously failing miserably!  His hair is so outraged at being part of this hideousness it is attempting to crawl down the back of his head and escape.  Even laughing gas can't help his performance!

The Leisure Hive 1980

Tom Baker. Pangol oh dear oh dear oh dear! Really don't know where to start. Bouffant, insane colouring and some weird stalk type thing at the top. Looks like a badger, badger, badger (mushroom, mushroom) gone wrong! Plus looks like a bit of smug individual. Lord knows why, giving orders here and there, has he looked in the mirror recently!

Snakedance 1983

Peter Davison. Lon has a sundial on his head and he's clearly not happy about it. His real hair underneath is an awful side parted nightmare which grows over his ears. A case of Hair Behaving Badly?  Who could imagine that his hair raising performance in this story (I joke of course!) would kickstart his career.

  

Mawdryn Undead 1983

Peter Davison. The Black Guardian has no idea what to do with hair gel! Just scraping loads onto your fingers and applying in the centre of his hair really looks bad. Looks like There's Something About Mawdryn. I assumed it was hair gel! P.S The Crow makes a terrible accessory.  Erm mind you, I think a lot of teenagers these days have modelled their spiky hair on the Black Guardian's look!

The Twin Dilemma 1984

Colin Baker. Its not just aliens that have bad hair days on Doctor Who. Look at poor Edgeworth here (above) or is it Azmael, his hair has been parted by a Moses - Red Sea type miracle, so it seems. Jean Luc Picard he is not. The Jocondans have huge noses that have been evolved over centuries to distract from their shocking hair. Too long, spiky and in no particular style whatsoever. At least they don't have to bother with a comb in the morning as they look as if they've been dragged through a bush backwards, ahem!

The Two Doctors 1985

Colin Baker. During the course of this story the Second Doctor is turned into an Androgum and has very little hair. Fortunately for the Doctor he does maintain his own but Shockeye (as seen above) has no such luck. The hair he does have grows in clumps sporadically about his head. Bright ginger in colour it's almost as unpleasant as he is!

Love and Monsters 2006

David Tennant. Victor Kennedy (The Abzorbaloff) had no hair at the front but oh my word doesn't he make up for it at the back. A combination of a Mohican that didn't bother to stop growing and continued down his back. Hideous but not as disgusting as the Abzorbaloff naked!


 So join us on Saturday for the winner of The Hilarious Hairstyle Poll. There are so many other examples we could use but lets not forget even the Doctor himself wasn't immune to the odd shocker.

See you all in the Doctor Who Bar on Saturday, we're both off now to go wash our hair! 

Planet of Fire- By @Dr_Who_Con_Fans

On Wednesday we are watching Planet of Fire, which features the first appearance of a certain Perpugilliam Brown (or Peri for short) played by the delectable Nicola Bryant. Now when either Peri or the story, Planet of Fire are mentioned this image comes to mind

Or perhaps this one

It is certainly true that, for most, it is a story that is notable for the lack of clothing worn (and no I'm not complaining) than the story itself. But perhaps this is a little unfair. So having got the gratuitous attractive barely clad Peri pictures out of my system, lets have a little look at the story.

On the desert world of Sarn, a weird religious sect worship the fire god Logar and are pretty much unhappy about this situation.]

Meanwhile The Doctor is still travelling with Turlough and the android Kamelion who, unbeknownst to The Doctor, has made mental contact with The Master (who was his previous careful owner)

Peri is a disillusioned young girl who is desperate for some fun and adventure and is rescued by Turlough from drowning. The Tardis dematerialises on its own with Peri still on board and thus begins her adventures with The Doctor. What follows is a story that involves The Master doing what he does best and attempting to gain total power whilst killing The Doctor. It is also significant as it is the last story to feature Turlough as he leaves to return to his people.

So whether you watch this story for Nicola Bryants fantastic performance as the buxom Peri or to discover the mysteries of Sarn, watch it. It may surprise you but it will certainly entertain you.

The Doctor Who Bar opens at 7pm on Wednesday and we press play at 7.30pm #DWBar

Oh and one more thing....