Time and tide melt the snowman...

August, now nearly half-way through, is a slow month as far as the play is concerned.

Nick is busy with all the finishing touches that are required and the rest of us just sit back and enjoy what is jokingly called the summer weather.

I suppose that I should really be reading the script and learning my non-lines. To explain that rather strange comment, I am playing Dalek Two in the play and yes there are lines to speak... but not by me! Dalek dialogue will be done live for each performance from the wings but I still have to know the lines so I can flash my lights in sync with the voice.

The difficult bit has been done though, I've been through the script and highlighted all the bits where I need to flash - as so to speak.

The next big event is the full read through of the script before we start the rehearsals. These begin in September and the read through will be happening on 3 September at a location that is sworn to secrecy.

I suppose that I should be enjoying the peace and quiet at the moment, 'cause it's goning to be a hectic September and a mental October.

Composer speaks out

Martin Johnson, composer for the play, has been very busy recently.

Not only is he working hard on the score for the play, but he has also added two articles to the Dalek Links site:

• Inside the music studio - will open in a new window
• Making music for Masterplan - will open in a new window

As if that isn't enough, he's also busy rebuilding his own site and has added an "Easter egg" to the home page with a teaser of music from the play. Check out the link to the right and see if you can find the bonus!

Chance to meet the Daleks... and others - 7 July

There's another chance to meet the Daleks in Portsmouth this Saturday (7 July) along with a Cyberman as well!

Castle Primary School, in Portchester, will be having their summer fete and the Daleks and Cybermen will also be attending. This event is between 11am and 2pm.

Come along and have fun, as well as having your photo with two of the Doctor's greatest enemies... if you dare!

You can find the school in Castle Street, Portchester, PO16 9QQ.

Rain didn't stop invasion plans UPDATE: 15 JULY

Despite several attempts by the weather yesterday to curtail a Dalek invasion, it was still successful!

Merchistoun Hall's summer fete was a very enjoyable day, with two Daleks (Dylan and Dougal, built by Stuart) doing the honours to help promote the play. As well as yours truly, Stuart was also on hand to help bring the Daleks to life, along with the Doctor (Nick Scovell) and Rob Thrush, who was modelling a prototype for one of the costumes.

Apart from the two Daleks and Nick in costume, we also had a stand inside with posters and postcards for the play and a DVD which was showing clips from previous productions.

At the start of the day, the Doctor was on hand to make sure that the Daleks were beaten back in a special scene for the fete. Nick and Rob also did a question and answer session in the main arena.

All together, this was a wonderful day, hot inside a Dalek as always, and fantastic promotion for the play. Many thanks to the staff and volunteers at Merchistoun Hall for all their help.

UPDATE: 15 JULY

You can see a full write up from Nick about this event over at Dalek Links:

• Daleks out and about - will open in a new window

Video footage and photos from the event:

• Video of Nick Scovell and Rob Thrush (low-res) - will open in a new window


• Dylan (at the front) and Dougal (behind) prepare to invade - I'm in Dougal at this point and can't get any further than the wodden boards that were laid down
• Nick Scovell (The Doctor) disarms a Dalek
• Dylan posing - with me inside
• A child hugs Dylan - every one loves a Dalek!
• Dylan posing again - with me inside
• Rob Thrush models a prototype for a costume

Click on an image for a larger version in a new window.

Tickets selling out...

Total ticket sales are now at nearly 900 and the Dress Circle on Saturday's matinee is completely sold out!

The Dress Circle sell out was caused by a news article that ran on the staff Intranet at Portsmouth City Council (now how did that get there...?) about the play, which meant that the theatre's box office was swamped yesterday.

At one point, they were receiving so many calls they had to get more staff to answer the phone!

Click on the image for a larger version in a new window