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Matt Smith and Karen Gillan to tour UK
The 11th Doctor embarks on his maiden voyage… with a whistle-stop tour presenting five regional premiers across the UK
From The BBC Press office…
Belfast, Inverness, Sunderland, Salford, Northampton
Doctor Who will begin an exciting national tour across the UK in March, introducing the new Doctor to fans of the series in five different locations spanning the length and breadth of the British Isles.
The tour will introduce the 11th Doctor, Matt Smith, and his Companion, Karen Gillan, to fans of the BBC One show and offer them a unique chance to meet the stars.
Each location will also host a regional premiere of episode one, The Eleventh Hour, for local children, working alongside BBC Outreach to enable kids to get a first look at the new Doctor in action.
Matt and Karen will travel around the UK on a specially themed Doctor Who tour bus, featuring the new TARDIS logo and iconic imagery.
BBC Outreach proactively takes the BBC into specific communities and sections of society, and has been integral in organising and supporting the tour.
The focus of the tour is to reach relatively under-served communities by the BBC.
The Doctor’s maiden voyage will commence on 29 March in Belfast, and then travel to Karen Gillan’s home town, Inverness, for a screening on 30 March.
The bus will then move on to Sunderland that afternoon and Salford on Wednesday 31 March before finishing later that day in Northampton – Matt Smith’s hometown.
Following the tour, from 1 to 3 April, the BBC will also hold events for three days at selected BBC Big Screens across the UK giving Doctor Who fans in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Plymouth and Swansea the chance to interact directly with the show in their home towns.
The events will feature exclusive footage – including the chance to see the Doctor Who trailer in 3D – and giveaways, and fans can also get their photo taken tumbling through the giant vortex.
Visitors will be able to meet some of the scariest monsters that have had viewers watching from behind their sofa for generations as well.
Piers Wenger, Executive Producer, and Head of Drama, BBC Wales, said: “This is a great opportunity for the new Doctor and his Companion to interface directly with the people who matter most to Doctor Who: the fans.
“The chance to visit them in their hometowns will ensure that the 11th Doctor’s maiden voyage is an utterly magical one.”
Alec McGivan, Head of BBC Outreach, added: “Outreach is all about getting face to face with people so they can get involved and experience the BBC in a different and exciting way – we’re delighted to be able to take one of the BBC’s best loved brands out to its audience.”
Vicky
March 16th, 2010 - 11:28am@Jammaza
The reason they’re going to the smaller places is because they never do. Read the article.
booboo
March 13th, 2010 - 10:55pmseems as if its by invitation only via BBC outreach
diggers
March 13th, 2010 - 10:46pmhow do we get to see the episode in northampton any ideas ?? thanks guys
kelly
March 13th, 2010 - 2:35pmhoping to get to the belfast one, but they are not giving routes, wander will they just go to the centre of the towns, ie, city hall? my kids think i can take them, but i havent even a clue where to go,
sheila
March 13th, 2010 - 1:08pmit’s nice that the bus is going to smaller places for a change and not
the major cities. we are all very excited in northampton to see matt back in his home town.
BooBoo
March 11th, 2010 - 1:58pmwere trying to find out if they intend to publish the route and venues for people wishing to see the bus
I am in Inverness
March 11th, 2010 - 12:38pmi wish they would publish the route so we can at least see the bus
master of disguise
March 10th, 2010 - 10:34pmThey really havent said many details about this….. have they?
miss-who
March 10th, 2010 - 9:00pmi reallly really want to go to this but is it invitation only?because its silly if it is,i wannted to go to the north hampton one ! grr 🙁
booboo
March 10th, 2010 - 7:59pmit seems its by invitation only via BBC Outreach to support local groups and schools. if we can find out any more we will let every one know
helen
March 10th, 2010 - 7:48pmcan you give me belfast details?
please
lottie
March 10th, 2010 - 4:12pmyh your right its invertation only i cheeked it out on the bbc websit its well not fair ):
booboo
March 10th, 2010 - 12:46pmIt seems in conjunction with BBC Outreach so may be its invitation only via certain schools/groups
Moody Judi
March 10th, 2010 - 12:40pmWhere in Northampton is the event going to take place + what time? Be nice if when tour announced could be backed up with the info needed to participate!!!!
anon2
March 9th, 2010 - 11:51pmThe Sunderland visit is to the University, the site next to the Glass Centre. There is a cinema there. Details are on the Sunderland University website.
Andrew Blakey
March 9th, 2010 - 11:27pmI lived very near Sunderland I would like to know where in Sunderland Mr. Smith and Miss Gillan will be appearing
lottie
March 9th, 2010 - 7:18pmbut like where in london is. its a big city you know
Za
March 9th, 2010 - 1:34pmOnly one in Scotland… Not very fair
Si
March 9th, 2010 - 10:49amNowhere near the South Coast………!!!!!! Shocking!!!
sam
March 8th, 2010 - 9:59pmwhy r they not going to Bristol!!!! boo boo boo booo
King Ninja
March 8th, 2010 - 8:05pmI wish they’d come to North Yorkshire (futile as that hope is). I’d love to meet ’em. And we never get Dr Who conventions or anything. Sigh!
sam
March 8th, 2010 - 7:44pmdo that mean that only that part of the uk get to watch all the whole of the uk?? Well that will be not fair if the hole of uk will not get to watch it first
Anonymous
March 8th, 2010 - 7:38pmDEFINE NATIONWIDE DONT THE SOUTH OF ENGLAND AND WALES QUALIFY??
Jammaza
March 8th, 2010 - 7:22pmIt would make more sense to go to all the main cities eg, London, Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow the biggest cities how stupid!
jack
March 8th, 2010 - 7:06pmwhy are they going to the most random places
Thomas
March 8th, 2010 - 6:39pmDreadful! How dare they not go to Liverpol!
lewis
March 8th, 2010 - 5:39pmthis is different, does this mean the episodes are being shown on the big screen?
that will be before its shown of tv then?
Jack Williams
March 8th, 2010 - 5:31pmIt will be wonderful to meet the DR and his new companion as I think I may qualify as his biggest fan. Iam 17yrs of age but my mum is doing this for me as I have severe autism.
anon
March 8th, 2010 - 3:00pmWith all due respect, the people of wales have given so much to the show and not one Smith and Gillian tour date is in its heartland. Bah humbug.
Blonfoltfetch
March 8th, 2010 - 11:15amOh wow i just have to see that bus