So, just had a FANTASTIC day, helping out the good folks at Who-Ray! in Stockton with their birthday celebrations. For those of you who don't know it, Who-Ray! is a shop that, in addition to various gifts, cards, and aromatic whatnots, specialises in a veritable cornucopia of Who-related merchandise. Check out their online presences at Facebook (www.facebook.com/Who-Ray.shop), and of course, the online shop shop.who-ray.co.uk.
In order to celebrate, Brian and Martin (proprietors, and all round splendid chaps - both of them), invited a host of Who-related entertainments for the good people of Stockton. Matt Smith lookalikes, Daleks, a Cyberman, 2 Weeping Angels and the last human herself, Cassandra all put in great turns for the masses. Opening the event was a short fan-film, by local film-makers Jay Moussa and oh...er...me! Entitled IDENTITY, it tells the story of UNIT trying to ascertain the identity of a man with amnesia, found at the site of a temporal disturbance. It will shortly get an interwebnet release, so watch this space.
I was a tad nervous about the film - it was filmed in one afternoon (last Sunday, to be precise), and was edited in software I had barely used previously. To say the version that was shown today was rough around the edges is to understate the case massively. So I was prepared for the film to be met with a stony silence. I did a brief intro, and then pressed play. The fact that most of the cast and crew were in the room with me should have helped my fear, but instead it increased it. After all, none of them had seen it since I took the raw footage away from the set!
The film ended with a round of applause. I was, quite frankly, stunned! Then it was on to the main order of business. Between us, we had choreographed a staged entrance for the cosplay volunteers, the cyberman and the Daleks. Apart from the Daleks big entrance, it was a back-of-a-fag packet, seat of the pants style bit of theatre, but it worked. Our 11th Doctor lookalike (who was very convincing - either he was separated from Matt Smith at birth, or he has studied every nuance of his mannerisms very closely) came out of the TARDIS, mingled with the audience, then had to nip out for a part for the TARDIS. Only to be confronted by a Cyberman. As he backed away, frantically trying to aim his sonic at the Telosian menace, the back wall burst asunder, and out came the Daleks.
And is if all this wasn't enough, this was all just to pave the way for the guest of honour, the legendary Doctor Who director Graeme Harper. Considering his status amongst fans of the show, Graeme is a pleasant, unassuming man ("I don't even think about whether my stuff is brilliant. As long as its as good as it can be, and people enjoy it"). Graeme held court at various points throughout the day, riveting fans with his easy, conversational style of Dr Who anecdotes. Signing copies of his book "Calling the Shots", having photos taken, and being grilled relentlessly by BBC Tees' very own Bob Fisher, the great man himself never flagged, and was pretty much game for any thing put to him. 10 lucky ticket holders even got to have tea with him at a secret location.
When Graeme wasn't holding court, there was still entertainment to be had. Daleks Mack, Bruce, George and Nation were on-hand, exhibiting some rare Skaroese charm, and mischievous humour. Nearby Star Wars specialists, Hunter Toys, also had something going on, and soon the Daleks were entering into battle with Darth Maul and a Jedi Knight. Seriously, this is the kind of thing that can only happen in Stockton.
By 6pm, the fun was over, and we stood as a group - thoroughly knackered but strangely happy. All the proceeds from the day were to go to Butterwick Hospice, which was a lovely gesture by Brian and Martin. I suspect the shop may have made a few bob as well - as we were completely unprepared for the size of the crowd waiting to be entertained! After a group hug, and bidding fond farewells, we all made our various ways home.
And I was suddenly struck by the way it reminded me of similar events back in the 80s. Small events, where people banded together and forged friendships in order to promote some Who-related product or service. And you know, I think some more friendships were forged today. I am seriously looking forward to the next event - DALEKMANIA...watch this space.
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