Thousands line the streets as Doctor Who premiere lands in city
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- Publication: South Wales Echo
- Date: 2014-08-08
- Author: Antony Stone
- Page: 6
- Language: English
HARDCORE Whovians brought the centre of Cardiff to a standstill as crowds turned out to greet the legendary Time Lord in his latest regeneration.
At least 4,500 Doctor Who fans from around the globe travelled through time and space to attend the world premiere of the new series of the celebrated sci-fi show.
In scenes reminiscent of Hollywood Oscar hysteria, Peter Capaldi and on-screen companion Clara, played by Jenna Coleman, were mobbed by adoring fans.
The duo did a slow red carpet walk, flanked by Daleks and Cybermen, and stopped for selfies with an array of adoring Whovians who had waited several hours for the privilege.
The stars slowly headed for the capital's St David's Hall where, with lead writer Steven Moffat, the first programme in the new series starring Capaldi was screened.
Earlier, the universe's last surviving Gallifreyan had arrived on Cardiff's Hayes not by Tardis, but in the first of a fleet of luxury cars.
A thunderous cheer greeted both Capaldi, looking relaxed and wearing dark sunglasses, and Jenna Coleman, wearing a stunning red dress, as they emerged from the vehicles.
Many fans had literally travelled thousands of miles to ensure they were present for the occasion.
Marion Jeannin, 20, from Chambery, travelled overnight from France to be in Cardiff on time for the event.
"Doctor Who is absolutely massive in France and I've been a fan since I first saw it on TV about three years ago," she said.
"I then watched all the previous episodes online and got my parents to bring me here as a 20th birthday present.
"It's a fantastic programme which is very funny and ironic and fast, there's nothing else like it.
I don't have a ticket for the screening, I just hope I get to see the new Doctor as he goes inside and maybe get a photo done with a Dalek."
Dad Thierry Jeannin, who stood vigil with his daughter for more than two hours awaiting Capaldi's arrival, added: "We travelled to Le Havre by car, then got the ferry to Portsmouth and took the train to Cardiff. We're going back to France tomorrow so we have had a lot of travelling to be here."
Gary Luz, 46, an IT worker and long-time Whovian from Chicago, travelled from the USA to the UK especially for the landmark screening.
"I've been a big fan since the days of Pertwee but Tom Baker was my Doctor," he said.
"Doctor Who is really big in America and I was really sorry when the original series was taken off the sceen. When it was brought back after 16 years I couldn't have been happier."
Kat Max, 40, from Penarth, was in Cardiff dressed in a Dalek suit bought for her son on eBay.
"Nobody else would wear it and I'd brought it all the way from home so I thought I would do it," she said.
"We are all big Doctor Who fans in my household and this is a great event."
Previously, lead writer Steven Moffat has highlighted how the programme would be taking a new direction under Capaldi.
Appropriately, for a man who travels the universe, he will bring more gravity to the role and there will something of a return to the Doctor's traditional quirkiness. Speaking during the red carpet walkabout, Capaldi said: "It's absolutely fabulous, I didn't expect this many people at all.
"People have been so kind to me here in Cardiff.
It's great to spend some time and say hello to them.
"I always find it surprising because Doctor Who is so British and I grew up with it, and to find people in South Korea or Mexico or the US so crazy about it is just amazing. I don't think anyone expected it to reach this level of success.
"It came back because there were a lot of gifted and talented fans like Russell T Davies and Steven Moffat who wanted this show back. I think because of the personnel involved, because it was Russell, I knew it would be special because it was made by someone who loved it.
"It remains, to this day, a show that is made by people who are extremely bonded to it. Its heart is the aection and bond that people feel with it.
"Well it's quite scary, my very rst day was stepping out of the Tardis. And nding yourself inside the police box, which is not bigger on the inside and is quite draughty, and Jenna's in there too was odd. It's a joy, who wouldn't want to be Doctor Who. It's the best role in British television as far as I am concerned.
Coleman said: "...e sun is shining and here we are. We wrapped last night and did a crew screening at 10pm. It absolutely staggers me the amount of people who have come, it has such an international following. ...e eorts and lengths people have gone too, not just dressing up, to support us is amazing.
"[Peter] is hilarious, very funny, very gratuitous, very humourous, very kind and very bold and brave as an actor. He's a lot darker and a lot more enigmatic, unlike previous doctors.
"Peter is amazing at being hilarious but without really trying to be. He is just funny, a funny person and I think that comes through, but at the same time he holds this presence and gravitas as the Doctor. ...ere's something mythical about him. On days like this it is quite incredible."
Brian Minchin, Doctor Who executive producer, told BBC Radio Wales: "I thought this day would be good but had no idea it would be as amazing as this. ...e crowd outside and the reaction is just amazing. We have been working on this since January and we nally get to show the episode. I'm really happy it's in Cardibecause Cardi is a big supporter of ours.
"...is is a show that started nine years ago being lmed in Cardi that goes out to the whole world. People come here to Cardiff because of Doctor Who.
"It seems bizarre now that Doctor Who was othe air for 15 years, now we've got six-year-olds dressing as Daleks... it's insane."
www.NEWSPRINTS.CO.UK/ CAPALDI SIGNS A BIG ISSUE FOR VENDOR A BIG Issue vendor got a big surprise when a Doctor Who star signed a copy of the magazine he was selling in Cardiff city centre - and you could win it.
Peter Capaldi took time out from attending the world premiere of the first episode to meet a Big Issue vendor and sign a copy of the magazine.
James Davis, 30, was selling the magazine outside Waterstones in The Hayes as hundreds of Who fans congregated to get a glimpse of the new Doctor.
As he was walking down the red carpet, Capaldi spotted James selling the magazine and signed his copy of the current issue, before dashing into the premiere.
James said: "Peter Capaldi was being hurried along the red carpet and there were loads of people shouting for him to come over, but he came across to me and he seemed very nice. I was chuffed that he took the time to come over and sign a magazine, although he didn't buy a copy!" James now plans to give away his precious signed copy of the magazine in a Twitter competition.
Claire Bissett, community awareness officer at Big Issue Cymru, said: "All customers who buy a copy of this week's Issue from James and tweet a picture of themselves with James to us at @BIGISSUECYMRU will be entered into a draw to win the signed copy, which we have in a secure location under lock and key."
Follow @BIGISSUECYMRU to keep track of where James will be selling his magazines. He will be at Brecon Jazz Festival on Saturday so go along and buy one and you could win a little piece of Doctor Who history.
Next week's Big Issue will feature a revealing interview with Capaldi, and has Doctor Who on the cover, a must for all Whovians.
Captions: James with his signed copy
A dalek greets the crowds on The Hayes
Peter Capaldi signs autographs for fans of the show
A police officer and Cyberman go toe-to-toe
Doctor Who fans line the red carpet ahead of the premiere of episode one of the new series. Posing for a picture are, from left, Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman, and executive producers Steven Moffat and Brian Minchin ¦Doctor Who fans line the red carpet ahead of the premiere of episode one of the new series. Posing for a picture are, from left, Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman, and executive producers Steven Moffat and Brian Minchin
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- APA 6th ed.: Stone, Antony (2014-08-08). Thousands line the streets as Doctor Who premiere lands in city. South Wales Echo p. 6.
- MLA 7th ed.: Stone, Antony. "Thousands line the streets as Doctor Who premiere lands in city." South Wales Echo [add city] 2014-08-08, 6. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: Stone, Antony. "Thousands line the streets as Doctor Who premiere lands in city." South Wales Echo, edition, sec., 2014-08-08
- Turabian: Stone, Antony. "Thousands line the streets as Doctor Who premiere lands in city." South Wales Echo, 2014-08-08, section, 6 edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=Thousands line the streets as Doctor Who premiere lands in city | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Thousands_line_the_streets_as_Doctor_Who_premiere_lands_in_city | work=South Wales Echo | pages=6 | date=2014-08-08 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=22 April 2025 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=Thousands line the streets as Doctor Who premiere lands in city | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Thousands_line_the_streets_as_Doctor_Who_premiere_lands_in_city | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=22 April 2025}}</ref>
- Title: Travelling through time and space... Whovians welcome the new Time Lord
- Publication: The Western Mail
- Date: 2014-08-08
