View source for How the Doctor Who show could exterminate your bank balance

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| publication = Belfast Telegraph
| file = 2010-08-13 Belfast Telegraph.jpg
| px = 450
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| date = 2010-08-13
| author = Victoria O'Hara
| pages = 3
| language = English 
| type = 
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| text = DALEKS are famous for scaring young children into hiding behind the sofa during an episode of Doctor Who. But the cost of taking a family to see the new live show featuring the Time Lord could result in parents feeling their bank balance has been "exterminated".

The alien Doctor, his Tardis and sci-fi enemies will regenerate into Belfast's Odyssey Arena in November for an "out of this world" production as part of a nine-city, 25-date tour.

BBC Worldwide — which is producing the show— said Doctor Who live will feature special effects, optical illusions and "spectacular pyrotechnics building to an epic finale".

But with tickets costing £42.50, £37.50 and £27.50 —and possible service charges added on— it could prove to be an expensive night out for families across Northern Ireland.

The same tickets at the other eight UK venues on the tour are also advertised at cheaper prices — £38.50, £34.50 and £25.00.

But BBC Worldwide said the venue and agency commissions, as well as being included upfront in the ticket prices for Belfast, are also slightly higher at the Odyssey Arena.

But consumer expert Dr Chris Strugnall — previously based at the University of Ulster and now retired — said: "For a family of four this would be one very expensive night out.
"I think any family would find it a struggle, especially if they are looking at further charges.

"This is a tough economic time for people— while I'm sure the show will be excellent, they may find a few empty seats."

Marie Cavanagh, director of Gingerbread NI, the charity for lone parents, said: "The opportunity to see this show is an excellent one and has to be welcomed, but it has to be tempered with the ability for people to pay for it?

BBC Worldwide said it charges the same basic ticket prices (£38.50, £34.50 and £25.00) for the	Belfast shows as it does for the British mainland dates.

A spokesman said: "The venue and agency commissions, as well as being included upfront in the ticket prices for Belfast, are also slightly higher at the Odyssey Arena.

"Doctor Who Live is a unique live entertainment show with high production values and the ticket prices are not only highly competitive, but lower than many similar arena shows, family attractions and London West End shows," he added.

The current and 11th Doctor Who Matt Smith will not appear live on stage on tour.

Instead Smith and assistant Karen Gillan have filmed special scenes for the show.

The scenes will be accompanied by the music of longtime Doctor Who composer Murray Gold. Mr Gold said: "The live element always adds something extra, but these will also be brand new arrangements for a new band of very talented musicians.

"It's very exciting."

The hit show's award-winning writer Steven Moffat said: "This is everything I ever wanted since I was 11 years of age.

"I'll be writing scenes for it, and probably attending every single night of the show?


Caption: Arch-enemy: the Daleks

Caption: Matt Smith in the latest reinvention of Dr Who (main picture), a Cyberman (above) and the Ood characters
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factfile

Doctor Who live tour comes to Belfast's Odyssey Arena from November 6-7.

The show opens in wartime London and concludes in an epic onstage battle.

The Doctor's arch-enemies the Daleks are joined by the best-loved monsters from the series, such as the Cybermen, Weeping Angels, Judoon and Ood.

The tour was developed in association with Doctor Who's executive producer Steven Moffat.

Tickets cost £42.50, £37.50 and $27.50, but may be subject to service charges, and are available through Ticketmaster's 24-hour ticket hotline 0844 847

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