Brighton Exhibition

Review: What did our Fearless Children think?

What better way to find out how good the new Doctor Who exhibition is than to send our Fear Forecasters along - can they be scared on a sunny Sunday?

We gathered our group of Amy (4), Harry (6), Samuel (10) and Adam (12), plus bonus guest child Lee (29) outside the exhibition. "This is too noisy", said Harry as the Doctor Who theme belted along Brighton Pier.

Inside, everyone's first impressions were... impressed. It's a large dome, filled with lights, noise, more lights and more noise.

The first thing you see is a semi-transparent spinning TARDIS, surrounded by displays about the show. Inside the TARDIS are worryingly headless corpses of Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper.

Samuel: "Seeing inside the TARDIS was cool! When Harry and me saw the costumes for Rose and the Doctor, we pretended they were Autons."

The exhibition is full of surprises - walls that light up, and a video floor. Amy was most concerned about stepping on the Doctor's face.

Most surprised was bonus child Lee, who'd designed a book about Doctor Who monsters. Pages from the book blown up to giant size everywhere. While the other children stayed obediently with their parents, Lee ran around the hall, screaming "Welcome to my exhibition, everyone! Look at my art!"

The children ignored him. They'd just turned a corner and seen the hidden Auton, looming ready to fire. Everyone jumped.

Harry's unease vanished when he realised it didn't do anything. Amy ran to Daddy worried. Everyone cheered up when they saw the Auton Brides, surrounded by broken glass.

If you turn the corner, you enter The Unquiet Dead exhibit - a short hallway with a billowing sheet over a dead body, and a small cell containing a jug. This was a bit puzzling for grown ups, and terribly disappointing for Lee, "None of my work here," he sniffed.

The children, however, were terrified. The billowing sheet on the table was a bit scary for Harry as he kept thinking it was going to jump out at him. Once he realised it wouldn't he enjoyed running around yelling "Pity the Gelth! Pity the Gelth!" with the other boys.

Amy was by this time in Daddy's arms and wanted to go home. They rushed through this bit.

The End of the World exhibit was much friendlier, with a room full of adorable monsters from that episode. Harry loved seeing the face of Boe so close up: "Wow, it's really big".

The boys were enormously impressed by seeing Cassandra in the flesh. "You can see her brain!" gasped Samuel, but Adam was puzzled: "Where are her other internal organs?"

Lee was struck by Jabe the Tree's startled expression. "She looks as though she's hiding a squirrel somewhere novel."

The Dalek room was everyone's favourite bit of the exhibition. Strangely, Harry most liked the flashing siren at the entrance, but everyone else was delighted to see a real flying Dalek.

"It's actually hovering!" gasped Samuel.

Also impressive was a glimpse at the creature inside the Dalek. "It's got a red eye like an apple," said Samuel.

Sadly, tucked in a corner, was a battered impostor claiming to be "An original Dalek". There was much giggling, before we moved into the final section, devoted to Aliens of London.

Amy cheered up in here. Seeing the Space Pig from the episode, Amy ran over smiling and saying "Piggy" and was then reluctant to move away from it.

Amy liked the Slitheens too, "They're silly. But I don't want my photo with them. Take another one of me with the piggy."

Adam wasn't so impressed: "You know, that pig's got really hairy arms."

Samuel decides to do a Slitheen impression while the other Fear Forecasters look on.

Harry quite liked the rotating model of Big Ben but then decided that doing Auton impressions with Samuel was more fun. This was followed by the pair of them clicking fingers at each other to try and open their brains.

Finally, we came to the bit that the parents were all most afraid of... the gift shop. Luckily, it didn't prove quite as exciting as the children had hoped, which was an enormous relief.

Harry, in particular, was really hoping for a sonic screwdriver, but the children eventually settled on Dalek mugs.

The children really enjoyed this exhibition and even though Amy was terrified through half of it she's still keen to go back. (Admittedly this may have more to do with the Piggy than anything else).

Amber Holdaway Age: 10
I thought it was the highlight of my holiday. It was absolotly FAB.

Liam Holdaway age 8
I thought it was funny and I liked the way it showed clips of almost every episode my sister was scared. I have seen every episode i'm the biggest "FAN" ever i wouldn't miss an episode for anything if your reading go to it.

zoe
i loved the dalek but it did not work

Jim Vidler
Very disapointed with the exhibition. Overpriced. I did ask for my money back, which was duly ignored. Sorry, I'd recommend that people don't wast their money, unless the entry fee is halved. The merchandise was also astronomical and my children were very upset that I could not afford any of it. 2/10.

Emma C(13)
the exhibition was great - really interesting but not very scary! It was all really good except the shop was way too expensive. seeing all the real models was amazing with all the design sketches and the actual clothes & costumes that were worn. Mkae sure you take a camera though!

Chris Thacker
Why are all these exhibitions in Blackpool or Brighton. What about something in the Midlands? We never get a look in.

Alex Rossiter
I'm 14 and I am impressed with how the BBC have fitted it back in so well, I have been to the Brighton exhibit and it is truely excellent.

Mat Greenfield
I thought it was amazing how they covered all the past doctor's as well as the new one. This would mean that it was a day out for adults as well as children. I went with my dad, who'd been a doctor who fan from the beginning and got me interested when he heard of the new series. We both came out amazed, the fact that these were the actual props made it even better because you could almost imagine yourself in the scene it was used in with the Doctor and Rose. Being a teenager, I have got used to most horror that films provide, but the Gelth section was so simple but it scared me. Basically, it was perfect!

David Gold
I went with my partner on the opening day and absolutely loved it! Mark's always been a Dr Who fan but I am a total convert to the new series. I love the Slitheen and am pleased there's a big section for them in the exhibition. But I also enjoyed seeing some of the original monsters and getting a better understanding of how Dr Who evolved over the years. I have to say it was good to see so many young fans, some excited others scared, but all there because they love the new show - just like me! It's a fantastic exhibition and I thoroughly recommend it.

arthur
I went to the exhibition with my mum.It was dead awsome especially when i saw the daleks because i love their battle cry of E-X-T-E-R-I-N-A-T-E!

Olivia Neary 8
I think it was a really good place to go to and I would recommend it to anyone that likes Dr Who. I'd give it 10 out of 10! The Darleks were the scariest!! My little sister was terrified of them!!!

Olivia
It was really good I really enjoyed it!!!!

Dave M
shame the doctor who experiance in north wales finished last year.

franchesca croft
my comment is that it was really good but it should go to some other places in the contry such as cardif or newport london . so other people will get the chance to go and see it.

Ben
i have been and it is spectacular

tony dawe
it was funny it is soon good i like it the best one

Laura (11)
Great exhiition, great programme. I make sure I watch it and Doctotr Who Confidential. The exhibition was amazing and I loved it!

Emma walker(9)`
When I went there I thought It would be very small when I looked on theoutside.But I found out I was like the Tardis.It was the best time that I have had In 6 years.

arizona
i'd like to go to the exthibit and look at all the aliens and stuff there.it looks like a fun place!

Timmy
Went to the blackpool exhibition, loved it. 10/10 the dalek voice changer was funny.

Amy (not the fear forecaster!)
Wow, this looks like a great exibition! I am a major doctor who fan, and would love to see this. Does anybody know How long it will be in blackpool for, or if it is coming to scotland?

Harry Neillis
I think the Brighton exibition was brilliant but the only thing that I didnt think was to good was the shop because it was too dear and I could hardley get anything. Altogether I would give it nine out of ten and again I would give ten out of ten but the shop was expensive but I think the bbc has been good for Doctor Who and its a shame that the Doctor and Rose has left but im sure the Doctor will be good aswell. Altogether I think Doctor Who has been a complete success. See you later folks! Bye.

Carl Rose (9)
I thought the exhibition was great. When I heard about it I thought that the aliens were going to move so I was a bit disappointed about that. And guess what, I was the first child through the doors of the exhibition, ticket 0001! I think that they could put some aliens from the old series in but apart from that I thought the exhibition was great!!

Robin Clark
A great ehxibition, particularly the Dalke coming to life , which the kids there loved & a family friendly pricing system. We got there at the start and it was filling up within minutes

Barney Leigh
I went this morning and I ABSOLOUTLY LOVED IT! My Dad and I travelled 50.4 miles to get to the exhibit and, boy was it worth it! When I first entered, I saw the main entrance which was, suprisingly in the shape of the inside of the TARDIS. (But it was a coincidence). The Autons were scary, especially the wedding bride ones! If you look to your right, there was the weelie bin from the first episode. (When Micky gets turned into an Auton. Above it has the storyboard of that scene and inside the bin is the scene on a T.V Screen. When I entered the End of The World Room, I grabbed my dad and told him all the different monsters. 'Forest of Cheem!' 'Casandra!' 'Moxx of Bahloom!' 'Face of Boe!' Then the Darlek room! There are several Darleks scattered across the room. One of the original ones from 1963, an opened Darlek with the creature inside and a levatating one! A stand is next to it, and has 'DO NOT TOUCH' stickers next to a blue button on the top. So, of course I pressed it. The floating Darlek moves his big blue eye straight towards me. 'EXTERMINATE!' It screamed. I screamed! Flashing lights beemed around the room. It was MARVELOUS! The gift shop was a bit dissapointing. It was mostly stuff from the old series and was SO EXPENSIVE! I bought 2 postcards, a ruler, 2 magazines a pen and a leaflet. I would rate it 11 out of 10! It was a magical day!

pauline
took the family to see this its just so brilliant my daughter loved it and so did i!!!

Liz (12)
My friend went and said it was GREAT, I sooo wanted to go!! She sent me loads of photos though, the Dalek part looked incredible.

Dan
I watched the exibition clip and it looks great!!!!

Alfie Blagg age 6
I enjoyed it very much, but was too scared to go past the Autons so had to go through the exit to see the other side, it was great

Joe Wallis
I went to the Dr.Who museum in Llangollen loads of times before they moved it, maybe I should check this out!

Peter
My daddy took me and I waz scard

alexis harrow
doctor who is soooooooooo cool i wish i went to the exhibition. alexis aged 11

Matt Downard age 13
it was great! i can't wait for the other excibits to come! the only down side was that there was not alot there to buy, the dvds where fine but who wants a dr who rular or pen? put more better things to buy!

Toni Harrington
The Dalek was soooo creeepeeee!!!!!! dad said there could be other dr who msonters hidden under the pier...

Emily Tarlton
My dad took me on the first day and I loved it. I really liked the talking Dalek and the Autons, but my favourite was the Slitheen. Emily Tarlton - Age 6

Chantal age 12
The exhibition sounds great! I'd love to go, but my Mum and Dad think it's a bit too far away(I live in Edinburgh). We might go and see it in the Summer holidays, though.

George Jackson
I think it is a wonderful,fantastic,amazing and superb exhibiton about Doctor Who.

james r
2/10 went on sunday very disapointed it took an hour to get there and it lasted 15 mins and the shop rubbish!!

alex
i think that the dalek was cute

daniel hill age 13
i went to the Brighton exhibition (because i live near Brighton)and thought it was brilliant the dalek was fabulous and so was everything else i can't to see what else will be there and love the new series

Steve Perrin Age 29 3/4
Went along to Brighton today with my friend Ross and we were both filled with joy at the spectacular "Doctor Who" exhibits on show. Ross isn't that much of a fan of the old "classic" series, but he and his fiance have become enchanted with the Eccleston and Piper generation of the show. I (a fan from way back) thought that the show was a little bit sparse, only incorporating elements from the first six episodes of the new series. This was to be expected however. I mean, why give away story elements that have yet to be shown? I am told that the show will be given an overhaul in July. Very sad at this as I am returning back to Australia in June and will miss it! Best bit of the show was the new Dalek threatening to "Exterminate" me. How cool is that new armour? I finally got to meet one at last! Long live "Doctor Who"! Long live the exhibition on the pier and as for David Tennant... well, time will tell (it always does)...

Marc Hocking
I am a 27 year old fan, and couldn't have been more horrified at the prospect of Doctor Who at teatime in 2005, however I watched and loved and went to the Brighton exhibition and....The kids loved it! All the kids there loved! They know the names of the characters and everything. I was soooo thrilled. Dr Who is back - Hoorah!

Alison Carver aged 10
This was an exellent day out for all the family I would recomend it toall. The most fightening thing of all. Was the auton.

zoe
im going on saturday im looking fowerd to the daleks do they say exterminate in the exibit?

Darren Chandler
I visited the exhibiton on the opening day, and what an exhibiton it has turned out to be! No expence has been spared to create an environment that truely does take you on a journey throught time and space with The Doctor and Rose. I can't wait to see how the ehibition grows as the series progresses. Well done guys! :)

Craig Massey
Me and my wife took Jay our 6 year old Son. we all loved it! 10/10 fantastic!

Chris
Why not something in Cardiff - where the show was actually made!

edward.b
I went to the blackpool exhibison (age9) and was fritend to deth at the emper darlek.and now I want to see it agen! will it come back to blackpool?

Ashley
Haha. I love the Fear Forecasters' reviews. I remember watching the original WHO when I was their age and it is great to see how today's kids take to the new series. And many of their comments/opinions always bring a smile to my face. I hope we can look forward to many more reviews, even through to the second series!

Neil Feist
Took my five and three year old sons on Sunday and they loved it. Each section had plenty to look at and the reproduced pages from Justin Richard's forthcoming 'Monsters' book gave the adults plenty to read up on (interesting facts on Face of Boe included!) Kids loved the Dalek but were pretty scared of the 'body' in the Unquiet Dead chamber. Disappointed by lack of new merchandise in the gift shop, stroppy son put out there was no Sonic Screwdriver to play with (so was his Dad). Funnily enough their favourite bit of all was the illuminated classic monsters at the start! Pretty good value (£12 for all four of us) and great to see it so popluar. Thoroughly enjoyable. Lucky enough to live close and so intend to get back there this Summer, if only to see the Bad Wolf!!

Rick Strangely
Went down after school on the Monday for my daughters 7 birthday (her choice). My 4 year and her loved every minute of it and were even apprehensive about the flashing yellow light that signified the start of the Dalek section. They were disappointed that there wasn't anything on the Reapers, but we will be visiting again in June, so hopefully some of the later episode artifacts will have materialised by them. Brilliant show and good value

Grant Mclanaghan
Crikey, that was short! I'll be going, it looks v. good and nice to see the cool kid emulating Auton 'hand gun'; that's the spirit!

Tom Age 14
Dr Who is great, I am so glad it has been brought back, the Exhibition was amazing, you have to go!

Kate
This was a very good exhibition

Michael Krumstets
Hello , well from what I could see it looks like there were only items from the new series as opposed to the `Classic Series ' ( where did that come from ? ) Anyway how about a proper permanent Dr who exhibition in a place that most people can get to see it i.e London , maybe in conjunction with madam tussauds or something . You know, with rides or something or experinces from past stories etc ....

Laura C
Noooo, I want to go but it's so far away from me! How long is it on for?

Joseph
cool, my mum and dad have already got tickets.

Bradley and Nathan
We went to the exhibition on Sunday 15th and we both thouragly enjoyed it!!!

Jason Lee Reynolds
Just Seen the Brighton Exhibition video and seeing it really makes me want to go and see it , especially the new look " bling " Dalek ! . at the end of the Video i saw an inflatible dalek the same red colour i got for my 17th birthday on March 12 this year and cant wait for the report from Harry , Amy , Samuel and Adam tomorrow ! i cant wait to go there , FAN-TASTIC ! . . . .

Connor
If its as good as they say it is ill go. Id like to take a look at the daleks and the slitheen up close. But im not sure when to go.

Fred Harrison
Very modern, It was only a short snippet but what I could see it looked marvellous - the place looks huge - I hope by the end of the series there will be more displays - great to see the kids there too!

Peter Thomas
it looks impressive. I'll definately go and see it

Tony Clark
The layout looks great, but the video clips seem to suggest there is not much in there. Given that the exhibition is mostly from the first 6 episodes ( I'm lead to believe ), there isn't much TO put in. I intend to go see it though. The Blackpool exhibition is a delight, and an inprovement on the old exhibitions that use to be there.

liam
The video was great I'd love to be there!Can I borrow the doctors tardis so I could go?

Harvey .Y.
I think it is a brilliant idea, so whoever couldn't go can see it.

Al Dobbie
I went to the exhibition on Saturday, excited at the prospect of good things. The start of the exhibition is a quick throwback of the classic series and old footage from other exhibitions. The video footage needs to be updated and unfortunately you can hear what else is going on Brighton pier. But on the positive side, the items from the new series seeing the autons up close was good. I liked the Unquiet Dead (no suprise as it's my favourite episode so far). But what got me more than anything was hearing the kids calling to their mums and dads "look the Daleks". One said, "mummy don't be scared", which brough a little tear to this 38-year old's eye!! The kid in me came out more, you just wanted to press buttons for really scary things to happen, the nearest being "Don't push this" for the Dalek to threaten extermination! It would have been nice to have the new merchandise on sale. What was missing most I feel was atmosphere. It is a good effort and with the promise of more from the new series, I'm sure (and hope) it will improve. (4/10)

James laye age 11
it was great funny and cool. im a big of dr who. i like all of the serie

• Video: Brighton highlights
  
• Doctor Who exhibitions site
  

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