“The best one day event I’ve ever done”.
COLIN BAKER on Bedford Who Charity Con 4
As a modest sort of chap, I am naturally reticent about proclaiming the glories and marvels of stuff I’m involved with, so I quote Colin’s comment with all due humility and with appropriate shrinking-violetness (yeah, right).
That said, we seem to have established a strong reputation for Bedford Who Charity Cons as being friendly, informal, relaxed, welcoming… and huge fun. They’re enormously popular with attendees, and audience feedback is always very warm. Dare I say it, but they’re small but beautiful, and people seem to smile a lot.
If you’d like to come along to see what all the fuss is about, we’d love to see you, and we’re also offering 10% off tickets for DWC readers (see below for more details).
Bedford Who Charity Con 5 is taking place on Saturday 13th April at the University Theatre, Bedford MK41 9EA. The event starts at 10am and finishes at 5.30pm. Bedford itself is about 50 miles north of London; it’s 35 minutes from St Pancras, and it’s easily accessible from either the A1 or the M1 (it’s about 45 minutes’ drive from the M25). Lots more travel details on our website.
We’ve got a pretty impressive guest list, too: we’re going to be welcoming Sylvester McCoy, Sophie Aldred, Janet Fielding, Carole Ann Ford, Louise Jameson, Michael Jayston, and Mike Tucker.
Bedford Who Charity Con 5 is a traditional style convention, with panel interviews, signings, photo sessions and the opportunity to meet the guests and get your pic taken with them. (No charges for group photos with the actors, though we ask for a donation to the charity bucket.) Once the event’s costs are paid, everything we make goes to Bedford Foodbank; they’re currently providing emergency food to some 600 adults and children in the local area, every month.
The audience’s and guests’ generosity raised £2278 last year.
And something that’s a bit special: as usual, we’re going to be having some sketches, performed by the actors. These go down really well. Previous highlights have included sketches entitled The Master in the Psychiatrist’s Chair (with Geoffrey Beevers and Maureen O’Brien); A Weeping Angel in the Psychiatrist’s Chair (Sophie Aldred and Elen Thomas); The Colin Baker and a Dalek Sketch (Colin Baker and a Dalek); and The Companions’ Reunion Party Sketch (Peter Purves, Maureen O’Brien and Sarah-Louise Madison). We’re keeping tight lipped about the titles for this year’s offerings, but they should make you laugh.
If you’d like to take a look at the sort of thing on offer, have a look at:
The Time Lord Song
(a rewrite of Python’s Lumberjack Song)
Soloist: Colin Baker
Backing: The Whobettes (including Sophie Aldred and Elen Thomas)
The Doctor Who Fan Accreditation Sketch
Cast
A Fan: Sophie Aldred
The Accreditor: John Leeson
Lots more details about the convention on our website and our Facebook page.
Getting your tickets
If you’d like to come, tickets are available direct from me (Simon); the University Theatre doesn’t have box office facilities, so you need to contact me direct. If you mention that you read about the convention on the DWC, we’ll give you 10% off your tickets! Please email me at info@bedfordwhocharitycon.co.uk to book.
Prices are as follows:
- Adults: £42.50 (£38.25 discounted price)
- 14-18s and full time students: £22.50 (£20.25 discounted price)
- Under 14s: £15 (£13.50 discounted price)
Family tickets (genuine family groups only, please!). “Children” here means “under 14s”.
- 1 adult and 1 child: £50 (£45 discounted price)
- 1 adult and 2 children: £55 (£49.50 discounted price)
- 2 adults and 1 child: £80 (£72 discounted price)
- Additional children under 14: £8 each (£7.20 discounted price)
Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult, please.
We can take payment by BACS, cheque, or PayPal. Again, please email me for the details.
Hope to see you there!
And just in case you need them, here are a few audience comments:
“Had a truly wonderful day at the convention. From start to finish, it was flawless… Everyone was so friendly and accommodating and the guests were engaging and entertaining. A truly unique convention and one not to be missed in the future!”
“Always a brilliant day. Lovely family friendly atmosphere.”
“We had a fantastic time, as always!”
