Pinch-me moments were abundant at this special Doctor Who-themed concert, held in the Wales Millennium Centre to mark the programme’s 60th anniversary. The select few hundred fans in attendance witnessed a remarkable performance by the BBC National Orchestra Of Wales in the WMC’s Hoddinott Hall space, the very room in which classic soundtracks from the series were recorded. Personally, being seated next to famed composer Murray Gold and feeling his feet tap to “exciting” new scores will be one moment hard to beat.
Jo Whiley, the evening’s host and a Doctor Who fan herself, expertly steered proceedings. In quick but illuminating interviews, Gold charmed with his process: themes are inspired by how characters “walk, talk, and whether I like them,” a great example being the use of a 7/4 time signature to resemble the jangly gait of Matt Smith. New pieces tantalised new characters; during Life Of A Sunday, a total hush descended over its slow piano buildup before it evolved into a swirling, string-heavy waltz that spoke of a lost soul.
A particular nostalgic highlight for many fans had to be the “classic series” suite, which featured numerous pieces from the programme’s original 1960s-to-80s run. Guests Mark Ayres and Peter Howell, locked into their synthesisers, emphasised the pioneering electronic work of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. An icy Tomb Of The Cybermen recreation sounded colossal with large bass drums, a far cry from the tinny mono television set it would have most typically been piped through; accompanied by the rousing City Of Death theme, which memorably saw Tom Baker roam Paris, it was hugely impressive within the context of time, money, and technology limitations during this period.
Soon, saxophone stands were bought forward: this was something fresh. The 15th Doctor’s theme was fun yet brash as if to depict Ncuti Gatwa’s latest incarnation galloping onto our screens. Miraculously, it seems no pesky leaker recorded it, so social media was soon ablaze with attendees trying to hum it all back! After a night of amazing surprises, the performance of the newest, rockier version of the theme tune was almost too much wonder for fans to bear. It will be a long wait until the autumn, and the scheduled series of commemorative birthday episodes, to see what nailbiting action accompanies such rousing music.
Doctor Who @ 60: A Musical Celebration, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Fri 29 Sept
words BILLY EDWARDS
