Doctor Who’s 50th to be marked by BBC Proms

Doctor Who is to be celebrated by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales’s in their contribution to BBC Proms 2013. The cult science fiction series is marking five decades since its launch with several ventures including a anniversary episode, postage stamps, a factual drama looking at how the series came into production and now music.

On Saturday the 13th and Sunday the 14th of July this year London’s Royal Albert Hall will be invaded by fans eager to hear music from the Doctor Who soundtrack, in two special concerts given by the Orchestra. The performances were announced today as part of the launch of this year’s BBC Proms season, which also includes concerts led by the Orchestra’s new Principal Conductor, Thomas Søndergård.

BBC Cymru Wales has also confirmed today that BBC Proms in the Park will be returning to Owain Glyndŵr Playing Fields, Caerphilly for the third time.

On Saturday the 7th of September, Wales will once again be part of the BBC Proms Last Night Celebrations as the BBC National Orchestra of Wales brings the Proms in the Park to Caerphilly for an evening of spectacular performances in the open air against the magnificent backdrop of Caerphilly Castle.

BBC Cymru Wales Director, Rhodri Talfan Davies, said: “BBC Proms in the Park is a great opportunity for people to join together across the UK and enjoy a magical evening of music. Following the success of BBC Proms in the Park in Caerphilly last year we very much look forward to returning for another captivating evening of music led by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and enjoyed by both the audience on the evening and viewers at home.

“I’m sure that audiences will also enjoy Doctor Who’s own orchestra performing in a number of spectacular Proms at the Royal Albert Hall – including the first Proms under Thomas’ skilful baton – and I’m looking forward to seeing the Orchestra once again representing Wales to a national and international audience as part of the season.”

The Doctor Who 50th anniversary performances at the Royal Albert Hall follow the hugely popular 2008 and 2010 Proms, where audiences were treated to a selection of music from the show – written by Murray Gold, and orchestrated and conducted by Ben Foster.

The Orchestra records the soundtrack music to Doctor Who in their home in Cardiff Bay, BBC Hoddinott Hall; a stone’s throw from BBC Cymru Wales’s new Roath Lock studios where the Doctor Who team is based, alongside Casualty and Welsh-language soap Pobol y Cwm.

BBC National Orchestra of Wales will give a total of six performances at this year’s BBC Proms, including two concerts led by the Orchestra’s new Principal Conductor Thomas Søndergård.

[Reported by Dalek Control]