Aside from the Rutlish School event which we attended in the late
eighties, the only major conventions I’ve attended over the years are
PanoptiCons, the first being in 1991 and then 92, 93 and most recently the
40th Anniversary PanoptiCon last November. I won’t bore you with specifics
on who was there and what exactly went on, but I will share a few memories
which hopefully will give the uninitiated a flavour of what these
large-scale conventions are like.
These
were much bigger events than the Rutlish School affair, and there were
consequently far more stars from the series at these conventions. Some of
my favourite moments from the PanoptiCons include the spectacle of seeing
as many of the ‘Doctors’ together at the same time, the fun of witnessing
Frazer Hines’ and Anneke Wills’ enthusiastic (and downright X-rated)
reunion on stage after 25 or so years, and listening to one of my
favourite actors, Philip Madoc, as he recalled his appearances on the show
with his resounding and wonderful-to-listen-to Welsh baritone voice. As
well as seeing the various guests on stage whilst they’re being
interviewed, you often walk past them around whichever hotel or other such
venue where the conventions are held. I remember waiting for a lift at the
Leofric Hotel in Coventry and Jon Pertwee emerging from a room nearby only
to walk straight past me. I was immediately struck by his presence, but
was also surprised at how frail he looked. Granted, he was about 73 or 74
at the time, but his physical appearance made him look at least 10 years
older. However, he certainly wasn’t lacking in energy and still delivered
the goods when he was asked, as well as being courteous and enthusiastic
towards the fans that approached him outside of his official convention
engagements.
The
most recent convention I’ve been to was the 40th Anniversary PanoptiCon
convention in November 2003. Although it wasn’t particularly
well-organised as far as the logistics were concerned, it was still a very
enjoyable event especially as I had not attended a convention since the
30th Anniversary PanoptiCon 10 years previously. At no other time was I as
happy to be a fan of Doctor Who than when at a convention with hundreds of
like-minded people around me. The atmosphere is unique at these events and
I always get a real buzz from everyone’ excitement. It’s also nice to see
people relaxed enough to dress up in their favourite characters’ costumes;
although it’s not my ‘bag’, it doesn’t bother me at all. It’s all part of
the occasion as far as I’m concerned, and it means that fans of all types
are able to enjoy themselves in whatever way they wish.
I wouldn’t say I’m itching to go to every single convention on the
circuit; I much prefer waiting a few years in between each one so that the
experience doesn’t become too repetitive. In other words, I should think
I’ll be attending another for a while yet!
Next Episode: Location, Location, Location! (Part One)
These
were much bigger events than the Rutlish School affair, and there were
consequently far more stars from the series at these conventions. Some of
my favourite moments from the PanoptiCons include the spectacle of seeing
as many of the ‘Doctors’ together at the same time, the fun of witnessing
Frazer Hines’ and Anneke Wills’ enthusiastic (and downright X-rated)
reunion on stage after 25 or so years, and listening to one of my
favourite actors, Philip Madoc, as he recalled his appearances on the show
with his resounding and wonderful-to-listen-to Welsh baritone voice. As
well as seeing the various guests on stage whilst they’re being
interviewed, you often walk past them around whichever hotel or other such
venue where the conventions are held. I remember waiting for a lift at the
Leofric Hotel in Coventry and Jon Pertwee emerging from a room nearby only
to walk straight past me. I was immediately struck by his presence, but
was also surprised at how frail he looked. Granted, he was about 73 or 74
at the time, but his physical appearance made him look at least 10 years
older. However, he certainly wasn’t lacking in energy and still delivered
the goods when he was asked, as well as being courteous and enthusiastic
towards the fans that approached him outside of his official convention
engagements.
The
most recent convention I’ve been to was the 40th Anniversary PanoptiCon
convention in November 2003. Although it wasn’t particularly
well-organised as far as the logistics were concerned, it was still a very
enjoyable event especially as I had not attended a convention since the
30th Anniversary PanoptiCon 10 years previously. At no other time was I as
happy to be a fan of Doctor Who than when at a convention with hundreds of
like-minded people around me. The atmosphere is unique at these events and
I always get a real buzz from everyone’ excitement. It’s also nice to see
people relaxed enough to dress up in their favourite characters’ costumes;
although it’s not my ‘bag’, it doesn’t bother me at all. It’s all part of
the occasion as far as I’m concerned, and it means that fans of all types
are able to enjoy themselves in whatever way they wish.