Regenerations 2006 Review

Of all the experiences of this Regenerations convention that I take away with me the one thing that has affected me the most is that I had numerous people telling me I look like Terrance Dicks.

It first started on the Saturday when whilst waiting in the main hall for things to get going a gentleman sitting in the row behind (who was attending the convention with his grandson) told me that he thought he knew my face. I explained that about ten years ago people often commented that I looked like Jimmy Connor (a tennis player). The gentleman seemed satisfied at this and we settled back in our seats as the event began.

First up was Roger Lloyd-Pack who discussed the inspirations of present day politicians on his portrayal of John Lumic. Meeting Roger Lloyd-Pack later in the day I found him to be a quiet pleasant man who was possibly a little nervous of his first convention. Thankfully this does not seem to have deterred him from wanting to attend next year for the full two days.

The next panel I attended was that with Kyoko Morita, Alan David and Alan Ruscoe.

You can be forgiven for not knowing who Kyoto Morita is. She plays an excited Japanese teenager in Army of Ghosts. Her lines were cut so blink and you will miss it. She was delightful and hopefully we will see the full scene as an extra in DVD boxed set.

Alan David could barely talk for laughing when recounting experiences of his career and we all laughed with him

After lunch I decided to get some autographs. First up were the U.N.I.T. team. This consisted of Nicholas Courtney, Richard Franklin and John Levene.

As soon as I walked into the room John Levene's eyes lit up and he exclaimed to the others 'Doesn't this gentleman look like Terrance Dicks'. Once again I recounted the Jimmy Connor story.

I got the chance to talk to John Levene at the celebrity buffet that evening. Be warned that he can use language that turns the air blue. This is not because he is rude, very much the opposite. He cares deeply about the way the world is going and has helped to raise millions for a charity that helps women who have suffered rape. It has clearly affected him. He is a gentleman and a wonderful person and wonderful to meet.

Continuing with my autograph quest took me to the second autograph area where Steve Wickham, Mark Strickson and Gabriel Woolf were waiting. As I reached the end of the line up convention interviewer David Bickerstaff, who was sat next to Gabriel Woolf, looked at me and said 'Has anyone told you that you look like Terrance Dicks'? I told him this had just happened and once again the Jimmy Connor look-a-like story was retold.

Sunday morning I sat in the main hall waiting for the events of the day to begin. At this moment I heard a voice behind me saying 'Excuse me but did we meet at the Invasions convention.' I turned round to the gentleman in the row behind and explained that I have never attended that convention. Eventually to ease his mind I relayed the whole Jimmy Conner / Terrance Dicks thing.

The first interview of the day was Gabriel Woolf who unnerved us all by recreating his Sutekh and Satan Pit voices helped by the dimming of the main hall lights.

Sophie Aldred interviewed Sylvester McCoy in a later panel. This gave the interview an original edge. Sylvester McCoy is never dull anyway.

Speaking for myself the highlight of Sunday was the Mark Strickson and Nicholas Courtney interview directly after lunch.

A member of the audience asked Mark Strickson about the scene where Turlough is strangled by the Black Guardian. Mark Stricksons response was to take Nicholas Courtney's hand and forcibly hold it to his own throat whilst falling of the chair provided thrashing around screaming and generally giving the appearance that he was being strangled by Nicholas Courtney much to the surprise of every body including Nicholas Courtney.

If ever a DVD of the Regenerations conventions should be made available then I would purchase a copy for this priceless moment alone.

Later that afternoon I attended the Gabriel Woolf and Mark Strickson coffee break. Both men were relaxed and pleasant to talk to. Mark Srickson is people person and knows how to pitch a conversation at any individual. The coffee breaks are an hour long. This is a comfortable length but still leave you wanting more.

I didn't get any more people asking if they knew me for the rest of Sunday but by this stage I was convinced that some people were doing double takes as I walked past. I was telling another attendee about my experiences when he told me that a friend of his had said that he had seen Jimmy Conner in the lunch queue earlier that day.

The day ended with a panel consisting of the remaining guests.

Waiting for the Regenerations Convention is, for me, like waiting for Christmas when you are a child. All that waiting then it's all over too quickly until next year.

The Regenerations conventions are the most relaxed and enjoyable conventions I have attended and I look forward to next year.

Sean Clarke and not Terrance Dicks wrote this review. I am sure he will be relieved to hear that