Review of Visions '95
By Michael Sliger
Reprinted with permission
This was my first big con since TARDISCON 86, and I now wonder why it took me
so long to go back to one. I was in utter awe through the entire time I was
there (had to leave after the Variety Show). There's lots to talk about, so
let's get started!
Segal Who news: As has been already stated in the group, Sylvester McCoy has
very recently recieved a new copy of the TV Movie script. He claims not to
have read it yet, but he has been told that the regeneration scene has been
changed. He stated in the panel Saturday that he still hasn't committed to
doing the role yet. He left the script in England, so we couldn't get him to
read us anything (or give us an excuse to break into this hotel room). As far
as casting, the Eighth Doctor has not been signed, but a person is in mind.
After lots of crowd pressure, McCoy would only state that Simon Callow was
possibly considered at one point, but is not being looked at now. He also
claims that one delay in production was caused by the BBC wanting one British
ACTOR as The Doctor and FOX wanted another British PERSON (no names of
course). We'll see if he reveals any more info on Sunday.
The star of the con, hands down, was Brian Blessed. From the opening
ceremonies on, he was throwing away microphones, calling for cheers from the
crowds, and telling long and wonderful stories about his life and experiences.
Paul Darrow and Gareth Thomas (very outgoing and talkative people themselves)
were quieted by him during their Friday panel. For the Variety Show, he came
out of the crowd in sweatpants and a sweatshirt and spent over 30 minutes
telling stories and performing Shakespeare. I hope the Visions videotape has
the story of snoring man in the front row of a performance with him and other
major stars and how the entire cast fell apart. Our standing ovation will
hopefully convince him to come back next year if he has finished his Mt.
Everest climb by then.
As for everyone else, Darrow and Thomas were hamming things up all weekend and
were a great pleasure to meet (except you could never get them to stop talking
with you or themselves or Blessed). McCoy was very jetlagged Friday, but felt
better Saturday and gave us his silliness and charm Saturday (and the ferret
story using a stuffed ferret). Sophie Aldred was her normal sweet self and
she and Sylv still have their rapport. Michael Craze was the perfect British
gentleman and Anneke Wills was charming and loving. Norman Lovett was a
little cynical at times, but showed has talent and love of comedy as MC of the
Variety Show (NORM!!!!!). Hattie Hayridge seemed a little reserved during her
Friday panel, but was nice to talk with. Michael O'Hare made some occasional
cheers to the crowd, but he was not very personable in the autograph session
(I didn't see him talk with anyone that had something signed). He does read
Dr. Seuss well (and so did Mira Furlan). Mira was very glad to be there and
was very giddy at times. I don't think I ever saw her without a smile on her
face. I didn't get a chance to see Michael Praed or Terry Walsh much, so I
won't comment about them.
Paul and Kate, it really was a pleasure to meet you. Both of you really show
your true personalities here on the net. Paul, thanks for the 2 page preview
of Happy Endings and I'm sorry that the game of Splash flopped (I just don't
think of Kit Pedler first off). Kate, you have way too much energy and thanks
for bidding during the auctions to raise the prices higher! :)
Time Rift: Jon, I was very impressed. Unlike many other fan videos I have
seen (like Ryan K. Johnson's), you have a very well written and firmly plotted
script. The use of real locations added to the feel also. As for the actors,
I agree with others I talked with that Jon was almost too much like McCoy. If
you closed your eyes, at times it seemed that McCoy was really on the screen.
AC and Amy portrayed their characters very convincingly also. "Dr. Black" was
also stunning in his role. I could get very picky about the audio quality and
the Boom Shots, but I also complain about those things in Bill Baggs' stuff.
I had a marvelous weekend and I will try my best to make it to next year's
con. Colin Baker has already committed to coming and more great people are
sure to follow. Even if you don't like the guests, meeting with other fans
(and especially other RADWers with whom I had a pleasant time chatting with
Friday night) makes it worth coming anyway.
Michael Sliger
P.S. Expect a major announcement from Kate Orman and Jon Blum soon. I'll let
them spill the beans as they seem to be good at it!