Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular (Melbourne)

The Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular was a first Australian performance by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, featuring the Concordis Chamber Choir. It was performed twice (2:00pm and 7:00pm) on 4 February 2012 at the Plenary Hall, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

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Overview

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra was conducted by Ben Foster, with Mark Sheppard as master of ceremonies. The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra was accompanied by the Concordis Chamber Choir for the choir elements of the music. Antoinette Halloran (soprano) and Tobias Cole (Counter-tenor) provided performances where single vocals were required.

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 were several aliens from Series 5 present walking around the audience, in a similar style to Doctor Who at the Proms. Including;

• 2 Silurians
• 1 Judoon,
• At least 2 Vampires from The Vampires of Venice
• A Silent
• 2 Ood
• 2 Cybus Cybermen
• 2 New Dalek 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.

Programme

There were sixteen individual pieces in all. Eight pieces performed. This was 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. The music was primarily from Series 5 and Series 6. The "This is Gallifrey" piece was from Series 3 of Doctor Who.

1. The Mad With a Box
2. An Untimely Arrival
3. I Am the Doctor
4. Amy
5. A Stitch in Time
6. Almost People Suite
7. Abigail's Song
8. The Doctor, The Widow & The Wardrobe

INTERVAL

1. Battle in the Skies
2. The Majestic Tale of a Madman in a Box
3. Liz, Lizards, Vampires & Vincent
4. Closing Time Suite
5. The Wedding of River Song
6. This is Gallifrey / Vale Decem
7. Pandorica Suite
8. Song of Freedom
9. Doctor Who Theme

Notes

• Tickets for the Symphonic Spectacular went on sale on 6 October 2011. They were sold out on the day of performance.
• 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 specially recorded piece by Matt Smith.
• For a photo call at the Melbourne Cricket Ground a Scientist Dalek, along with a Cybus Cyberman and a Silence 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 7:00pm show, following 'Battle of the Skies' as the Supreme Dalek was exiting the stage, it bumped (gently) into one of the cellist's chairs.

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!

External links

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