The science of Doctor Who is explored in a new exhibition in Liverpool, which is open now.
Catherine Johnson, from National Museums Liverpool, says Doctor Who: World of Wonders collects together a “fantastic array of props, costumes, and objects”, and allows visitors to try out the TARDIS Tech Room, learn about the science behind time travel, and meets Daleks, Cybermen, Weeping Angels, and more.
Narrators include Mark Gatiss (Cold War; Robot of Sherwood), Zoe Wanamaker (The End of the World; New Earth), and The Sky at Night‘s Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE. The latter provides expert analysis through interactive “Ask a Scientist” sections throughout.
Catherine Johnson says:
“[It’s been] really interesting watching people hone in on the things they remember from the show and being confronted by some of those monsters they used to hide behind the sofa from”.
“A lot of the storylines from the show were based on real science so there are inspirations from the natural world, from cybernetics, from AI and from astrophysics and there is a real depth to the show that is underpinned by science.”
As well as viewing an original TARDIS console from the show and a case of sonic screwdrivers, visitors will be able to get inside a Dalek and transform their voices to sound like the extra-terrestrials.
To mark the opening last week, Liverpool artist Paul Curtis has created a 50ft (15m) wide mural showing icons from the series landing in Liverpool. He said:
“The mural contains some classic icons from over 60 years worth of TV, along with the fascinating scientific elements that underpin the exhibition.”
The exhibition also includes a “Liverpool Connections” area where visitors can find out more about the Merseyside stars who have featured in the series – from John Bishop to Sir Ken Dodd – and learn about how the Beatles almost met the Daleks.
Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder opened on 27th May and runs until 30th October 2022; tickets are available now. Adult tickets are priced at £14 in advance or £16 on the day (or free if you’re a member). Tickets for members are free.
