Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular (Melbourne)

The Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular (Melbourne) saw the first and second performances of the Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular. It was performed by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at Plenary Hall, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Australia on 4 February 2012.

Overview

A banner advertising the show.

The concert was announced on 28 August 2011 by BBC Worldwide Australia and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and was described as being inspired by Doctor Who at the Proms. It was conducted by Ben Foster and hosted by Mark Sheppard, who was announced on 10 November 2011.

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra was accompanied by the Concordis Chamber Choir, led by Chorus Master Andrew Hunter, and soloists Antoinette Halloran (soprano) and Tobias Cole (counter-tenor).

The concert was primarily focused on the Eleventh Doctor, with the majority of the music hailing from Series 5 and 6.

There were two performances a matinee at 2pm and an evening show at 7pm.

There were several monsters present on stage and walking around the audience, including:

• 2 Silurians
• 1 Judoon
• At least 2 Vampire Girls
• A Silent
• 2 Ood
• 2 Cybermen
• 2 New Paradigm Daleks: A Supreme Dalek (White) and a Strategist Dalek (Blue)

The Supreme Dalek was on stage for the 'Battle in the Skies' piece, with the Strategist Dalek on the floor, directing Ben Foster up to the stage.

There were sixteen individual pieces in all. Eight pieces performed, followed by a twenty-minute interval, then another eight pieces.

Some pieces followed the names and themes of their CD release counterparts, while others were extended pieces that used an overarching theme or initial name and piece to lead into other pieces.

Promotional statement

Everyone who loves Doctor Who needs to make a date for this once-in-a-lifetime musical celebration with the Doctor on the big screen, and a host of live monsters – including Daleks, Cybermen and The Silence – invading the venue. Inspired by the BBC Doctor Who Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Ben Foster, will premiere Murray Gold's amazing music from the last two seasons of the legendary BBC series. Unlike the Doctor, this Australian First concert experience can't be regenerated!

Programme

Act One
Piece	Duration	Notes
The Madman with a Box	2'52''	"The Madman with a Box". First performed at the 2010 Proms.
An Untimely Arrival	4'19''	Suite containing either all, or excerpts of, the following cues: "The Majestic Tale (of a Madman in a Box)", "Down to Earth", "Fish Custard" & "Doctor Gastronomy". First performed at the 2010 Proms.
I Am The Doctor	5'52''	"I Am the Doctor" & "Words Win Wars". First performed at the 2010 Proms.
Amy	3'23''	"Amy's Theme" & "The Life and Death of Amy Pond". First performed at the 2010 Proms.
A Stitch in Time	9'19''	Suite containing either all, or excerpts of, the following cues: "The Curse of the Black Spot", "You're a Dead Man", "My TARDIS", "The Impossible Astronaut", "1969" & "5:02pm". New piece making its debut performance.
Almost People Suite	?'??''	New piece making its debut performance.
Abigail’s Song	4'40''	"Abigail's Song (Silence is all you Know)". New piece making its debut performance.
The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe Suite	?'??''	Suite containing either all, or excerpts of, the following cues: "Armchair Waltz", "I Know", "Ditched at Sea", "Madge's Theme" & "Friendship". New piece making its debut performance.

Interval (20 mins)

Act Two
Piece	Duration	Notes
Battle in the Skies	4'42''	"Victory of the Daleks" & "Battle in the Sky". First performed at the 2010 Proms.
The Majestic Tale of Madman with a Box	4'20''	"The Majestic Tale (of a Madman in a Box)". New piece making its debut performance.
Liz, Lizards, Vampires and Vincent	8'25''	Suite containing either all, or excerpts of, the following cues: "The Beast Below", "The Silurians", "With Love, Vincent", "Signora Rosanna Calvierri" & "The Vampires of Venice". First performed at the 2010 Proms.
Closing Time Suite	?'??''	Suite containing either all, or excerpts of, the following cues: "Stormageddon, Dark Lord of All", "Definitely Going", "Ladieswear" & "Fragrance". New piece making its debut performance.
The Wedding of River Song	5'13''	"The Wedding of River Song". New piece making its debut performance.
This is Gallifrey / Vale Decem	6'31''	"This is Gallifrey: Our Childhood, Our Home" & "Vale Decem". First performed at the 2010 Proms.
Pandorica Suite	10'14''	Suite containing either all, or excerpts of, the following cues: "Who Else is Coming", "This is Where it Gets Complicated", "The Perfect Prison", "The Majestic Tale (of a Madman in a Box)", "The Same Sonic", "The Patient Centurion" & "I Am the Doctor". First performed at the 2010 Proms.
Song of Freedom	3'52''	Encore piece. "Songs of Captivity and Freedom" & "Song of Freedom". First performed at the 2010 Proms.
Doctor Who Theme	1'37''	Encore piece. "Doctor Who XI". First performed at the 2010 Proms.

Notes

• Tickets for the Symphonic Spectacular went on sale on 6 October 2011. They were sold out on the day of performance.
• All musical pieces were accompanied by clips from the episodes that the music was from. In some cases, such as The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe, the audio from the clips was also played throughout the Plenary Hall.
• There was a specially recorded intro to the 'Battle in the Skies' piece following the interval. This featured the Strategist Dalek outside of the Plenary Hall.
• There was a video message from Matt Smith.
• For a photo call at the Melbourne Cricket Ground a Scientist Dalek, along with a Cybus Cyberman and a Silent was present.
• Murray Gold was at the sound desk for both performances.
• The programme book includes; an introduction by Steven Moffat, a page each dedicated to the various aliens (and the Doctor) that appeared in the Spectacular, Q&As with: Murray Gold, Ben Foster and Mark Sheppard. It also included information about the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Concordis Chamber Choir and listing every person in the orchestra and choir. There were brief descriptions of Antoinette Halloran and Tobias Cole.
• During the 7pm show, following 'Battle of the Skies' as the Supreme Dalek was exiting the stage, it bumped (gently) into one of the cellist's chairs.

External links

• Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
• Concordis Chamber Choir
• MSO 2012 Season - Doctor Who