The Trial of Davros is a theatrical production featuring characters from the long-running British BBC science fiction television programme Doctor Who . It was written by Kevin Taylor and Michael Wisher for Hyde Fundraisers, a group of science fiction fans who make and appear in replica costumes from TV series and films such as Doctor Who and Star Wars to raise funds for various charities. The play was performed twice; in 1993 and 2005. [1] The second production was performed with the agreement and backing of both the BBC and the estate of screenwriter Terry Nation, the creator of the Davros character. [2]
The action takes place within the immediate continuity of the Doctor Who serial Genesis of the Daleks . As Davros' creations, the Daleks, prepare to kill him at the conclusion of that story he is removed from time by the Time Lords to be tried for his crimes. The case against him includes personal testimony and evidence of Dalek atrocities throughout the centuries. Ultimately it is revealed that the trial has been a ruse by Davros to create a time portal to Gallifrey, enabling his new Daleks to attack and exterminate the Time Lords. The play ends with Davros and his Daleks victorious. [3]
The play was performed on 14 November 1993 at "Remembrance '93", a Doctor Who convention held at The Village Hotel, Hyde, Greater Manchester. It was produced by Nigel Peever, with the cast including Michael Wisher (Davros), Jean Rogers [nb 1] (Inquisitor), Keith Noble (Prosecutor), Stuart Glazebrook (Prosecutor) and Peter Miles (Nyder). [1]
The play was performed on 16 July 2005 at the Tameside Hippodrome theatre, Ashton-under-Lyne, as part of the "Ashton Sci-Fi Weekend" and to mark the 20th anniversary of Hyde Fundraisers. The original 1993 script was expanded with additional material by Kevin Taylor, contributions from Terry Molloy and a new scene written by Michael Wisher. The production also included filmed sequences created for the production by the Hyde Fundraisers team, referencing the Doctor Who serials The Dalek Invasion of Earth , Day of the Daleks , Frontier in Space , and Death to the Daleks .
The cast included Terry Molloy (Davros), Andrew Wisher [nb 2] (Prosecutor 1), John Leeson (Prosecutor 2), Jeremy Bulloch (Chairman Skellon), Hylton Collins [nb 3] (The Lord President), Katarina Olsson [nb 4] (Shan), Brian Miller (Wiston) and Peter Miles (Nyder). The Davros mask was created by sculptor Phil Robinson, who also provided the masks and prosthetics for the Exillon, Ogron and Draconian alien creatures seen in the filmed sections of the production. [1]
Although produced by a voluntary group established to raise funds for charity, the plays are notable for the casting of professional actors in the major roles. In particular Michael Wisher and Terry Molloy had portrayed Davros in the Doctor Who television series, [4] while Peter Miles reprised his role as Nyder from Genesis of the Daleks in both productions.
Davros is a character from the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. He was created by screenwriter Terry Nation, originally for the 1975 serial Genesis of the Daleks. Davros is a major enemy of the series' protagonist, the Doctor, and is the creator of the Doctor's deadliest enemies, the Daleks. Davros is a genius who has mastered many areas of science, but also a megalomaniac who believes that through his creations he can become the supreme being and ruler of the Universe. The character has been compared to the infamous dictator Adolf Hitler several times, including by the actor Terry Molloy, while Julian Bleach defined him as a cross between Hitler and the renowned scientist Stephen Hawking.
The Daleks are a fictional extraterrestrial race of mutants principally portrayed in the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who. They were conceived by science-fiction writer Terry Nation and first appeared in the 1963 Doctor Who serial The Daleks, in shells designed by Raymond Cusick.
Skaro is a fictional planet in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was created by the writer Terry Nation as the home planet of the Daleks.
Terence Joseph Nation was a Welsh screenwriter and novelist. Especially known for his work in British television science fiction, he created the Daleks and Davros for Doctor Who, as well as the series Survivors and Blake's 7.
The Thals are a fictional race of humanoid aliens, originating from the planet Skaro, in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. The species first appeared in the 1963–64 serial The Daleks, and were created by writer Terry Nation.
Genesis of the Daleks is the fourth serial of the twelfth season of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was written by Terry Nation and directed by David Maloney, and originally broadcast in six weekly parts from 8 March to 12 April 1975 on BBC1.
Resurrection of the Daleks is the fourth serial of the 21st season in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in two weekly parts on BBC1 between 8 February and 15 February 1984. The serial was intended to be transmitted as four 23-minute episodes but a late scheduling change by the BBC meant that it was transmitted as two episodes of 46 minutes; reruns restored it to its intended format.
Revelation of the Daleks is the sixth and final serial of the 22nd season in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in two weekly parts on 23 and 30 March 1985. This was the final serial to be broadcast in 45-minute episodes; this format would return 20 years later when the series resumed in 2005. Revelation of the Daleks is the only time the Sixth Doctor encountered the Daleks in a television story.
Destiny of the Daleks is the first serial of the 17th season of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in four weekly parts on BBC1 from 1 September to 22 September 1979. The story introduces Lalla Ward as the newly regenerated Romana.
Michael Wisher was an English actor. He made many appearances in Doctor Who, becoming best known for his performance in Genesis of the Daleks (1975) as the first actor to play Davros, the wheelchair-using scientific mastermind and creator of the Daleks.
The Daleks are a fictional extraterrestrial race of mutants from the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. The mutated remains of the Kaled people of the planet Skaro, they travel around in tank-like mechanical casings, and are a race bent on universal conquest and destruction. They are also, collectively, the greatest alien adversaries of the Time Lord known as the Doctor, having evolved over the course of the series from a weak race to monsters capable of destroying even the Time Lords and achieving control of the universe.
Davros is a Big Finish Productions audio drama based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who.
Peter Miles was an English actor. He played many television roles including several different characters in Z-Cars and Doctor Who. His other television work also included Blake's 7, Survivors, The Sweeney, Dixon of Dock Green, Moonbase 3, Poldark and Bergerac. His film credits include roles in Made (1972), The Whistle Blower (1986) and Little Dorrit (1988).
Terry Molloy is an English actor. He is known predominantly for his work on radio and television, especially his portrayal of Davros in the three separate serials of the BBC television science fiction series Doctor Who of the 1980s, a role he later reprised for audio adventures.
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The Davros Mission is a Doctor Who audio play written and directed by Nicholas Briggs. Initially exclusive to the Complete Davros Collection DVD box set released on 26 November 2007, it was later made available for digital purchase outside of the set by Big Finish in January 2012. It was recorded on 15 August 2007. The music and sound design were composed by David Darlington.
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The twenty-fifth season of British science fiction television series Doctor Who began on 5 October 1988. It comprised four separate serials, beginning with Remembrance of the Daleks and ending with The Greatest Show in the Galaxy. To mark the 25th anniversary season, producer John Nathan-Turner brought back the Daleks and the Cybermen. The American New Jersey Network also made a special behind-the-scenes documentary called The Making of Doctor Who, which followed the production of the 25th anniversary story Silver Nemesis.
The Curse of Davros is a Big Finish Productions audio drama based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Extra from 25 June to 2 July 2016.
