There would have to be an
excellent reason to be sat in the Royal Albert Hall on the hottest day of the
year and the Doctor Who Proms definitely counts as one. The concert, which saw
Ben Foster conducting the BBC National Orchestra of Wales with the London
Philharmonic Choir, included a mix of music from recent and classic Doctor
Who episodes, and will be screened around the same time as the 50th
Anniversary special this November.
Matt Smith and Jenna
Louise-Coleman made an appearance along with Cybermen and Weeping Angels. Smith
told an excited crowd: ‘One of the great joys of playing this extraordinary,
legendary Time Lord is the support and knowledge and love and brilliance of the
fans - you really make the show what it is.’
He wasn’t the only Doctor in the house
though, as Peter Davison appeared – to a rapturous welcome – to introduce a
medley of music from the show’s classic era, including the pioneering work of
the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. Looking out at the thousands of fans, he said, ‘What amazing memories you all have. Even though most of
you weren't even born.’
Joining him onstage was Carole
Ann Ford, who played the Doctor’s first screen companion in 1963. ‘Who'd have
thought this celebration would be happening 50 years on?’ said the actress, now
73 years old. ‘It's amazing.’
The Prom was brought to an end
by the world premiere of a birthday anthem called Song for Fifty,
written by Murray Gold, who has been the show’s musical director since 2005.
