“The Doctor” regenerates into a new persona or ‘look’ but remains the same character. When does this happen? When the actor (or the BBC) decides he wants to give up the role, thus allowing 11 actors to play the role for the past five decades. (Well, 12 if you count the two feature films made by Peter Cushing completely independent of the series itself!) His mission is to travel in time and space to correct wrongs and be in the wrong place at the right time and with his time machine the TARDIS. He has saved earth and humankind more than a dozen times.
February is always the month it happens and this year we got a visit from the seventh Doctor himself, Sylvester McCoy! Sylvester did his run as the Doctor from 1987 to 1989 and can now be seen in the Peter Jackson film “The Hobbit” as Radagast. He gave two audiences a real treat. He climbed into the audience, seats and people's laps to give praise, hugs and answer a myriad of questions about his Doctor Who history and adventures. Sylvester was charming, witty and above all VERY funny. He had the audience in stitches for just over an hour!
Also present was Freema Agyeman who is currently on the U.S. show “The Carrie Diaries” but first launched to world-wide recognition because she played a companion of Doctor Who opposite David Tennants (the 10thDoctor incarnation) named Martha Jones. This was her first American convention and she was amazed at the kindness, adoration and general welcome she received from the fans. Both her and Sylvester signed autographs, took pictures and participated in several panels of discussion all weekend.
One of the key attractions of this or any convention is the dealer’s room! Filled with toys, t-shirts, jewelry, memorabilia, toys, books and much more, you can spend $2 to hundreds of dollars on whatever you collect or enjoy. There was also a Pediatrics Cancer Relief Auction of many unique and original props, costumes, toys and even set pieces that raised over $3,000 in only 25 minutes.
Other guests for the weekend included Doctor Who producer Philip Heathcliffe, actors Mark Strickson, Fraizer Hines, Ben Bowder, Mark Sheppard, Daphne Ashbrook, Ian McNeice, Francis Barber, John Noble, Sarah Douglas, Finn Jones, Chase Masterson and many more!
There were costumes of all kinds and kids from 1 year old to 89 years old were dressed up in the favorite Doctor (remember there are 11 of them to choose from), monsters, aliens, zombies and more. If you are interested in attending this annual event check them out at www.GallifreyOne.com.
