The Trial of Davros
Encyclopedia
The Trial of Davros was an amateur theatrical production based on the long-running British BBC
science fiction television
series Doctor Who
, and the character of Davros
created by screenwriter Terry Nation
. 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.
. 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.
(Davros), Jean RogersJean Rogers IMDb Listing (Inquisitor), Keith Noble (Prosecutor), Stuart Glazebrook (Prosecutor) and Peter Miles
(Nyder).
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 WisherAndrew Wisher IMDb Listing (Prosecutor 1), John Leeson
(Prosecutor 2), Jeremy Bulloch
(Chairman Skellon), Hylton CollinsHylton Collins IMDb Listing (The Lord President), Katarina OlssonKatarina Olsson IMDb Listing (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.
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
science fiction television
Science fiction on television
Science fiction first appeared on a television program during the Golden Age of Science Fiction. Special effects and other production techniques allow creators to present a living visual image of an imaginary world not limited by the constraints of reality; this makes television an excellent medium...
series Doctor Who
Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
, and the character of Davros
Davros
Davros is a character from the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. Davros is an archenemy of the Doctor and is the creator of the Doctor's deadliest enemies, the Daleks...
created by screenwriter Terry Nation
Terry Nation
Terry Nation was a Welsh screenwriter and novelist.He is probably best known for creating the villainous Daleks in the long-running science fiction television series Doctor Who...
. It was written by Kevin Taylor and Michael Wisher
Michael Wisher
Michael Wisher was a British actor.He is probably best remembered for having played Davros, the wheelchair-using scientific mastermind and creator of the Daleks, in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who...
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
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
to raise funds for various charities. The play was performed twice; in 1993 and 2005.
Plot
The action takes place within the immediate continuity of the Doctor Who serial Genesis Of The DaleksGenesis of the Daleks
Genesis of the Daleks is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who that was originally broadcast in six weekly parts from 8 March to 12 April 1975. It marks the first appearance of Davros, the creator of the Daleks.-Plot:...
. 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
Gallifrey
Gallifrey is a fictional planet in the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who and is the homeworld of the Doctor and the Time Lords...
, enabling his new Daleks to attack and exterminate the Time Lords. The play ends with Davros and his Daleks victorious.
The 1993 production
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 WisherMichael Wisher
Michael Wisher was a British actor.He is probably best remembered for having played Davros, the wheelchair-using scientific mastermind and creator of the Daleks, in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who...
(Davros), Jean RogersJean Rogers IMDb Listing (Inquisitor), Keith Noble (Prosecutor), Stuart Glazebrook (Prosecutor) and Peter Miles
Peter Miles
Peter Miles is a British actor. He has played many television roles including several different characters in Z-Cars and Doctor Who. His other television work has included Survivors, The Sweeney, Dixon of Dock Green, Moonbase 3, Poldark and Bergerac.In the science fiction series Blake's 7 he played...
(Nyder).
The 2005 production
The play was performed on 16 July 2005 at the Tameside HippodromeTameside Hippodrome
Tameside Hippodrome is a theatre located in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, England.- History :The idea for the theatre came from William Henry Broadhead of Messrs, W Broadhead & Sons. It opened for business as "The Empire" on Monday 21 November 1904.In 1932, it was converted to a temporary...
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
Terry Molloy
Terry Molloy is an English actor known predominantly for his work on radio and television.Molloy has been a member of the cast of BBC Radio 4's The Archers playing Mike Tucker since 1973 and has won awards for his work as an actor on radio.On television, Molloy is perhaps best known for his role...
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
The Dalek Invasion of Earth
The Dalek Invasion of Earth is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which originally aired in six weekly parts from November 21 to December 26, 1964....
, Day of the Daleks
Day of the Daleks
Day of the Daleks is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in four weekly parts from 1 January to 22 January 1972.-Synopsis:...
, Frontier in Space
Frontier in Space
Frontier in Space is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in six weekly parts from February 24 to March 31, 1973...
and Death to the Daleks
Death to the Daleks
Death to the Daleks is a four-part serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. First broadcast from February 23 to March 16, 1974, it comprises four 25-minute episodes. The narrative begins as the TARDIS suffers an energy drain and crash-lands on the planet Exxilon...
.
The cast included Terry Molloy (Davros), Andrew WisherAndrew Wisher IMDb Listing (Prosecutor 1), John Leeson
John Leeson
John Leeson is a British actor who is best known for voicing K-9 on the television series Doctor Who from 1977 to 1979, and again in the 1980–1981 season. He was called back to do the voice of K-9 again for the 2006 episode "School Reunion" and again for the 2008 Doctor Who episode "Journey's End"...
(Prosecutor 2), Jeremy Bulloch
Jeremy Bulloch
Jeremy Bulloch is an English actor. He is best known for the role inside the costume of the bounty hunter Boba Fett in the original Star Wars trilogy, though he did not voice the character...
(Chairman Skellon), Hylton CollinsHylton Collins IMDb Listing (The Lord President), Katarina OlssonKatarina Olsson IMDb Listing (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
Ogron
Ogrons are a fictional extraterrestrial race from the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. The name may be derived from the mythological ogres....
and Draconian
Draconian (Doctor Who)
The Draconians are a fictional extraterrestrial race from the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. Their only television appearance to date was in the 1973 serial Frontier in Space. Unlike many "monster" races in Doctor Who, the Draconians were articulate and portrayed as having a...
alien creatures seen in the filmed sections of the production.
Cast notes
The plays are notable for the casting of professional actors in most of the major roles. In particular Michael Wisher and Terry Molloy had at various times portrayed Davros in the Doctor Who television series, while Peter Miles reprised his role as Nyder from Genesis of the Daleks in both productions.External links
- Trial of Davros – Hyde Fundraisers’ information web page about the plays.
- The Trial of Davros – Review of the 2005 production.
- Doctor Who: My life as Davros – BBC Norfolk interview with Terry Molloy.