Shirt...

...On The Third Day.

Having attended Large Endings’ Day 1 & 2, Shirt was keen to attend the third such event organised by Seventh Galaxy Events. The announcements of Jago and Litefoot themselves (Trevor Baxter and Christopher Benjamin) and Andy Lane, author of the ‘Young Sherlock Holmes’ books, meant that Shirt was ‘looking forward’ (in a West Country accent) to the event.

The weather conspired against the event again, and it was through driving snow that Shirt made his way to the school where the event was taking place for the third year running. Having picked up his convention pack, and finally attached the wristband to his wrist, Shirt made his way to the gym where Large Endings were selling their stock.

Having scouted the tables, and spoken briefly to Chalky to confirm that he didn’t want any of the deals, Shirt selected his first purchases of the day – the conclusion of the latest Sixth Doctor and Mel trilogy, ‘The Seeds of War’ (his subscription running out on the second one); the return/debut of Magnus Greel in ‘The Butcher of Brisbane’ (making up the 2 for £20 offer); and Companion Chronicles ‘Project: Nirvana’ and ‘The Scorchies’. Having paid his money to Matt Fitton who was manning that stall, Shirt got him to sign ‘The Seeds of War’ and the first in the trilogy ‘The Wrong Doctors’, also written by Matt.

“I know you did another one”, said Shirt, scrabbling for his list.

“'Recorded Time' ?”, suggested Matt.

Said cover found and signed, and Shirt moved off to another table, where he bought ‘The Justice of Jalxar’, a Fourth Doctor and Romana adventure guest-starring Jago and Litefoot; ‘Cradle of the Snake’ (which was on offer at £5); and full-cast Blake’s 7 audio, ‘Warship’ from John Dorney.

Shirt then got John to sign several covers, including ‘The Justice of Jalxar’ and ‘The Burning Prince’.

As Shirt was about to leave, someone joined John behind the desk. Squinting at his name badge, Shirt saw that it was Jonathan Barnes, and so got him to sign ‘Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the Perfidious Mariner’ and ‘1001 Nights’.

Moving into the main hall, Shirt settled in for the first panel of the day, looking at Large Endings’ plans for the 50th Anniversary, including Companion Chronicles, Main Range, ‘Destiny of the Doctor’, and the anniversary special – ‘Light at the End’. The hall was only half-full due to a photo studio with Tom Baker being in full swing. Panel completed, Shirt went in search of the ‘Writers’ Room’, finding it after going round only one. Inside the door, was a table featuring three stars of ‘Allo Allo’ – Richard Gibson, Kim Hartman & Sue Hodge – all dressed as their characters, but as with ‘Jeremy and Jemima’ the previous week, looking much older. However, as these were ‘sponsored guests’, Shirt decided to give them a miss, instead heading for Jonathan Morris getting eight covers signed by him, before crossing to get David J. Howe to sign his copy of ‘Drabble Who’.

Next up was Shirt’s old friend Tony Lee, who signed his ‘printed off at home’ cover for Dorian Gray download-only story, ‘Ghosts of Christmas Past’, which he wrote and guest-stars Nicholas Briggs as Sherlock Holmes. Shirt then got him on several collections of his DW comic strips, and on the first issue of the Doctor Who: Star Trek: TNG crossover comic.

Tony was diplomatic about why he stopped being a part of it after four issues – basically a “too many cooks” situation.

Shirt then moved to the gym where actors had begun signing. On his way, he popped into the ‘Celestial Traveller’ room, purchasing the second volume of their ‘The Return of Sherlock Holmes’ CDs, read by Peter Cushing.

On entering the gym, Shirt made for the table for Alexander Vlahos (LE’s Dorian Gray), who was proving ‘popular with the ladies’ due to his regular role in ‘Merlin’. Giggling girls have met Alex and got their photos with him, Shirt moved forward, getting his printed ‘Ghosts of Christmas Past’ cover signed and a 6x4 photo of Alex as Dorian.

Moving to his left, Shirt joined a queue for Christopher and Trevor. Ten minutes later and he was getting boxsets, Specials, ‘The Justice of Jalxar’ and in Christopher’s case the audiobook of ‘Talons’ signed. It being relatively early in the day, both were in good spirits.

Next was John Leeson, who signed a ‘Gallifrey’ cover and a print and DVD sleeve for the new ‘K-9’ series.

Moving to the far end, Shirt was faced with ‘the experience’ that is Chase Masterson (one-time star of ‘Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’), who happily signed his ‘The Shadow Heart’ and ‘Night of the Stormcrow’ covers, chattering on in a voice that was one-part Peri on helium, and one-part Sandra Dickinson, whilst failing to stop her ridiculously short dress from riding up or her impressive cleavage from attempting to escape over the top of the dress. Perched on the end of her table was frequent LE guest star, John Banks, but Shirt decided to come back for him later, moving along to Michael Keating, who signed ‘Warship’ as well as several other items. The ‘Warship’ cover was then slid across the table to its author, Peter Anghelides, who also signed it.

Next up was Ian Cullen (who was a ‘sponsored guest’ but who would give one free autograph) who signed ‘Dark Eyes: X and the Daleks’.

Moving back to the main tables, Shirt joined a queue for David Warner, getting him to sign his second stint as an Unbound Doctor in ‘Masters of War’ and his turn as Mycroft Holmes in Benny audio ‘The Adventure of the Diogenes Damsel’, as well as other audios including ‘The Scarifyers’. Next up was Benny herself, the lovely Lisa Bowerman. Shirt continued his tradition of attempting to flirt with her as she signed Benny and ‘Jago and Litefoot’ covers. Lisa also showed him two models that one attendee had given her of Benny and Brax. She admitted being jealous that the Brax model, which she had been asked to give to Miles Richardson, had a desk.

By this point, a panel on ‘Treasure Island’ had finished, and so Barnaby Edwards and Nicholas Pegg had begun signing. Shirt got a large pile of covers signed by Barnaby, with only two for Nicholas, before getting both of them on his ‘Series 7A’ poster to represent ‘Asylum of the Daleks’.

Returning to the ‘Writers’ Room’, Shirt was pleased that Andy Lane was now signing. A short queue moved very slowly, due to Andy having a long conversation with the fans at the front. The female fan in front of Shirt then asked Andy whether he would like to write for the new series of ‘Doctor Who’ and when he answered ‘yes’, agreed to put in a word for him with Steven Moffat at a forthcoming ‘Sherlock’ event. Shirt then stepped forward getting first his ‘Jago and Litefoot’ covers signed, then two ‘Young Sherlock Holmes’ books. He and Andy then had a long conversation about the ‘Young Sherlock Holmes’ film and ‘The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes’ (Steven Moffat’s favourite).

It was time for lunch, and so Shirt made his way out into the snow, which had lessened slightly to purchase some sandwiches and crisps. Returning to the school freezing cold, he made his way to the main hall to sort out his various bags, covers and purchases, passing a long queue for Tom Baker.

The first panel of the afternoon was ‘Jago and Litefoot’ with Christopher and Trevor in fine form, giving a preview of the likely content of the forthcoming ‘Baxter and Benjamin’. Lisa Bowerman also found herself having to defend the increasingly important role played by her character Ellie, following teasing from Trevor and Christopher. The next panel was about ‘Dorian Gray’ and ‘Bernice Summerfield’, and Shirt sat back and enjoyed taking the weight off his feet.

Panel complete, Shirt made his way back to the gym, picking up a copy of ‘Gaslight’ signed by Terry Molloy, from the Spirit Sinema stall on the way. John Banks having disappeared, first he managed to ‘buttonhole’ Jason Haigh-Ellery getting him to sign ‘Beyond the Ultimate Adventure’ and ‘Prisoner of the Sun’ (both of which he directs). In return, Jason pestered Shirt to buy something, offering to make a deal. Finally, Shirt bought Series 10 and 11 of ‘Bernice Summerfield’ for £25 (a saving of £15). On the other side of the gym, Nicholas Briggs had begun signing, and so Shirt joined the queue, getting six covers (including his ‘Ghosts of Christmas Past’) signed, as well as a ‘Sherlock Holmes’ poster that he had got when he had seen Nick at Greenwich Theatre playing Holmes, and on his ‘Series 7A poster’. He also found his “Talons of Weng-Chiang” audiobook cover that he had accidentally left on Christopher Benjamin’s table. Having moved away, Shirt remembered three more items, but Nick had had to go to the main hall for the ‘Fourth Doctor Adventures’ panel. Shirt therefore followed him, but went via the ‘Writers’ Room’ where he got Mark Wright and Cavan Scott on six covers.

Catching the end of the ‘Fourth Doctor Adventures’ panel, Shirt dashed to get Mark and Cavan in a ‘Sherlock Holmes’ book that he had forgotten, then followed several others to form a queue outside the ‘Podcast Room’, where Jamie Robertson was just finishing a ‘Sound Design Workshop’. Finally he finished, some people traipsed out, and Shirt took his seat for a live recording of a LE Podcast. Having got the room to jeer and laugh for a ‘wildtrack’ for the penultimate adventure of the second season of ‘Fourth Doctor Adventures’ - ‘The Dalek Contract’, Nicholas Briggs, Paul Spragg and Mark Plastow took audience questions whilst eating crisps. This session completed, and a quick ‘goodbye’ by Nicholas Briggs on stage, and Shirt was back out in the cold wind again.

As he wended his way back to Barking Station, and then home, Shirt mused on an excellent day. ‘Large Endings Day 4’ had been announced for January 2014, but in a new venue in Slough. Still Shirt was sorely tempted to attend.

[PL]