Traveling theater for 'Doctor Who' fans

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• Publication: The Republican (Springfield, MA)
• Date: 1986-07-27
• Author:
• Page: TV4
• Language: English

The "Doctor Who Experience Theatre," the world's only "experience theater on wheels," is on a coast-to-coast journey across the United States. It's at the Lenox Shopping Plaza today and tomorrow and at the Holyoke Mall Wednesday and Thursday.

This sophisticated mobile exhibition has been built by the British Broadcasting Corporation in support of its television phenomenon "Doctor Who," which is seen on over 180 P.B.S. television stations throughout the country, including WGBY-TV, Channel 57 in Springfield.

The 23-year-old program is the longest running science fiction show in television history and is the most successful British TV export ever, being seen by over 110 million viewers in approximately 60 countries worldwide.

The BBC decided to create this animated roadshow featuring all the famous monsters and villains once the program gripped the imagination of American audiences. The characters are housed in a 48- foot trailer - the largest vehicle allowed on the highways. Set behind reinforced mirrored glass, the figures are brought to life through various lighting and sound special effects along with animation.

The project was brainchild of Englishman Brian Sloman, who is traveling with the exhibition on its 180 city, two-year tour.

Sloman said: "The idea was to create a unique experience using all original pieces that we could present to fans throughout America. We also hope to expand the audience by presenting an exciting attraction even for people who have never heard of the show."

Visitors enter the exhibition by walking through a TARDIS - the Doctor's time traveling craft forever locked into the shape of an old English police call box. They can see a mockup of the ship's control panel before entering into an illusion of space with figures displayed.

Another feature of the exhibition is "Bessie" magnificent bright yellow vintage car built on a 1953 Ford Popular chassis for actor, Jon Pertwee, the third Doctor. She still runs perfectly despite her role in adventures which "saved the earth" many times over.

The tour got underway on May 9 in Washington, D.C., when it was seen off by English television star, Peter Davision. Davision in addition to being the fifth and youngest Doctor to play the role is also well-known to U.S. audiences as Tristan Farnum, the young veterinarian in "All Creatures Great and Small."

At the opening ceremony in the shadow of the Washington Monument, Davision warned the public to beware of the monsters, noting: "I certainly feel a lot safer knowing that these assorted villains are now on this side of the Atlantic."

The exhibit will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and until 3 p.m. tomorrow at the Lenox Shopping Plaza. At Holyoke Mall, the hours will be 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.

Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children, benefiting Channel 57.

Caption: The "Doctor Who Experience Theatre" is at the Lenox Shopping Plaza today and tomorrow will be at the Holyoke Mall Wednesday and Thursday.

Spelling corrections: Peter Davison, Tristan Farnon

Disclaimer: These citations are created on-the-fly using primitive parsing techniques. You should double-check all citations. Send feedback to whovian@cuttingsarchive.org

• APA 6th ed.: (1986-07-27). Traveling theater for 'Doctor Who' fans. The Republican (Springfield, MA) p. TV4.
• MLA 7th ed.: "Traveling theater for 'Doctor Who' fans." The Republican (Springfield, MA) [add city] 1986-07-27, TV4. Print.
• Chicago 15th ed.: "Traveling theater for 'Doctor Who' fans." The Republican (Springfield, MA), edition, sec., 1986-07-27
• Turabian: "Traveling theater for 'Doctor Who' fans." The Republican (Springfield, MA), 1986-07-27, section, TV4 edition.
• Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=Traveling theater for 'Doctor Who' fans | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Traveling_theater_for_%27Doctor_Who%27_fans | work=The Republican (Springfield, MA) | pages=TV4 | date=1986-07-27 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=22 April 2025 }}</ref>
• Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=Traveling theater for 'Doctor Who' fans | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Traveling_theater_for_%27Doctor_Who%27_fans | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=22 April 2025}}</ref>