If you’re in Manchester today, Saturday 25th November, then you might want to head to The Britons Protection pub for the big Vworp Manchester Doctor Who – The Star Beast screening party, celebrating 60 years of Doctor Who.
Organised by the Vworp Manchester Doctor Who Fan Group, running from 3.00pm till late, the event includes the very first screening of the fan film A Meeting on the Common on a big screen.
The film is a dynamic, 18-minute animation of the much loved alternative opening to Doctor Who, as told by David Whitaker in his classic 1964 novelisation Doctor Who in an Exciting Adventure with the Daleks. Directed and animated by Mel Meanley, adapted by Ian Winterton and starring Stephen Noonan (the Doctor), Adam Grayson (Ian), Helen Stirling-Lane (Barbara) and Kerry Ely (Susan).
It’s just one of the visual treats included on a DVD being given away with the latest issue of the indispensable fanzine, Vworp Vworp!, available to preorder now.
Ian Winterton will also be hosting a quiz during the event, and amongst the prizes are four gorgeous prints of Doctor Who illustrations by talented author and artist Paul Magrs.
Plus, Professor Tarpey’s Travelling Puppet Theatre will be presenting a bespoke puppet show, and there will be silly games, too.
So, if you’re after fun, fandom, an alternative take on the first Who story, An Unearthly Child, and The Star Beast too, you know where you need to be!
• Vworp Manchester Doctor Who – The Star Beast screening party 3.00pm til late. Upstairs at The Britons Protection, 50 Great Bridgewater Street, Manchester M1 5LE | Free | Check out the Facebook Event Page for full information | Vworp Manchester on Facebook | Vworp Manchester on X
Please be aware that, sadly, there are no lifts but if you need help with the stairs or a seat provided half way up let the organisers know. It’s an old pub so there aren’t any disabled toilets, the nearest being in HomeMcr
• Here’s our full guide to Vworp Vworp! Issue Six, available to preorder now
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: Animation, Doctor Who, downthetubes News, Events, Other Worlds, Science Fiction, Television
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