Doctor Who at Fifty Festival set for Manchester

Former Script Editor Andrew Cartmel will be in conversation at the Lass O’Gowrie on 30 November. As script editor during the later years of the original run, Cartmel did much to lay the ground for Russell T Davies triumphant return in 2005 and is a key voice in the evolution of the show, from ratings also-ran to conqueror of Ant and Dec!

17 November sees a chance to meet the very first director of the show – Waris Hussein, one of the men who created Doctor Who in 1963. A BAFTA winner and renowned director, this is the first time Waris has appeared in Manchester.

Waris will also be present at a very special live restaging of his original debut ‘An Unearthly Child’ at FAB Café. A full cast, live performance of the very first episode from 1963 starring Phil Dennison as the Doctor, this unique presentation is being staged in support of the Alzheimer’s Society and is presented by Lass Productions and Scytheplays.

‘An Unearthly Child’ runs 17 – 19 November and is performed as a double bill with the follow-up, ‘Edge of Destruction’ on 23 November. ‘Edge of Destruction’ then continues its run on the 24 and 25 November.

Who at Fifty also showcases the premiere of ‘An and Adventure in Time and Space; 50 Years in Rels’ – an anarchic and hilarious celebration of everyone’s favourite Time Lord, by Ian Winterton. Other Doctor Who inspired events include The Pyramids of Margate, a solo theatre tragicomedy addressing (alien) life, love, dreams and … Tom Baker – a recent show at Edinburgh and Nemesis – a rehearsed play reading from David Agnew, a bittersweet tale of a couple and how the return of Doctor Who to our screens in 2005 makes an indelible mark on their lives.