15 Oct 2021
The Doctor lands in Liverpool
World Museum explores the fascinating science behind Doctor Who in ground-breaking new exhibition.
National Museums Liverpool has announced that it will be hosting the world premiere of
Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder at World Museum from May 2022.
This ground-breaking new exhibition will explore the science behind the global hit series Doctor Who and will give fans a chance to experience the Doctor's adventures from a scientific perspective.
Produced by leading experiential design experts Sarner International under license from BBC Studios, this new exhibition plunges fans of all ages into a scientific universe to explore the ways in which science has played a part in the longest running science fiction show in the world, Doctor Who. The eight zones set within this educational exhibition cover a diverse selection of exciting scientific topics while drawing in content from across the full canon of the TV show.
Through a range of hands-on immersive experiences and interactive content, visitors can journey through Cosmic Curiosities, while discovering more about the time traveling Police Box in the TARDIS Tech room, learning about the science behind time travel and whether it really is possible. Or visit the Monster Vault to get up close with some of the weird and wonderful characters that have graced our screens. The exhibition gives visitors the chance to engage with rare, behind the scenes artefacts some of which has been procured from the BBC's own archive. Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder will offer a thrilling exploration of the science behind the stories for both established fans of the TV show and newcomers alike.
Fiona Philpott, Director of Exhibitions at National Museums Liverpool, said: “We're thrilled to be welcoming the world premiere of Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder to World Museum. We're so lucky to be the first museum in the world to host this must-see experience, which offers exclusive insight for Doctor Who buffs, science fiction fans and anybody else with a curious mind.
“Visitors to the exhibition can also travel through space and time at World Museum's immersive Planetarium and continue their explorations into the biodiversity of our planet with our Natural History & Sciences galleries. Come to Liverpool to experience this exhibition before anybody else!”
Ed Cookson, Projects Director, Sarner International: “For almost 60 years Doctor Who has been exploring mind-bending scientific developments. The iconic characters, monsters, stories, and settings of the television series provide a perfect guide through the wondrous worlds of space, time and science."
Doctor Who has a strong connection to Liverpool. Earlier this year, John Bishop joined an impressive list of Liverpool-born actors to appear on the show. The legendary Tom Baker, who grew up on Scotland Road, played the much-loved Fourth Doctor in the mid-1970s, assisted by Liverpool actress Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith. Paul McGann, of the famous Liverpool acting dynasty, played the Eighth Doctor in a one-off TV film in 1996, later reprising his role in a short film for the BBC Studios series' 50th anniversary in 2013. And in 2008, Kensington-born David Morrissey played The Next Doctor in a Christmas special alongside David Tennant's Tenth Doctor.
National Museums Liverpool was also involved in quest to #FindTheDoctor over the summer. Following a hidden word in the Doctor Who trailer in July, fans were sent on a hunt to find clues which would lead to the password for a locked Doctor Who website. One of the clues was spotted in a curious painting, La Boîte Bleue (The Blue Box), at the Walker Art Gallery and Museum of Liverpool.
Members receive early access to tickets from 10am on 13 October 2021. Tickets will go on general sale at 10am on 15 October 2021. Adult tickets are priced at £14 in advance or £16 on the day - concession rates apply.
In addition to free entry to the exhibition and early access to tickets, members receive limitless free entry to all other exhibitions, discounts in our shops and cafes and invitations to exclusive events.
For further information and to book tickets, visit liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/doctorwho
For any press information please email Alix Johnson at Alix.johnson@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
World Museum
Experience the wonders of life and the universe at World Museum, where millions of years of the world's history are revealed. Find out how humans have shaped the planet we inhabit, from Africa to the Americas, Asia and Europe and how human behaviour is impacting our world today. Immerse yourself in Sarah Howe's magical poetry about survival and loss in the World Cultures Gallery and learn more about how we are reinterpreting collections. Visit the Ancient Egypt gallery, which houses one of the finest ancient Egyptian and Nubian collections in Europe. We will take you to the farthest reaches of our spectacular world, diving down into underwater life in the newly refurbished Aquarium (opening summer 2021) and blasting you off into the skies in the Space Gallery and our updated Planetarium.
www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/world-museum
National Museums Liverpool
National Museums Liverpool (NML) comprises seven venues, including some of the most visited museums in England outside of London. Our collections are among the most important and varied in Europe and contain everything from Impressionist paintings and rare beetles to a lifejacket from the Titanic. We attracted more than 3 million visitors in 2019.
Our venues are Museum of Liverpool, World Museum, Walker Art Gallery, Maritime Museum, International Slavery Museum, Sudley House and Lady Lever Art Gallery. National Museums Liverpool is regulated by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
BBC Studios
BBC Studios, a global content company with bold British creativity at its heart, is a commercial subsidiary of the BBC Group, supporting the licence fee and enhancing programmes for UK audiences. Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond, its activities span content financing, development, production, sales, branded services, and ancillaries across both its own productions, and programmes and formats made by high-quality UK independents. Award-winning British programmes made by the business are internationally recognised across a broad range of genres and specialisms, with brands like Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars, Top Gear, Doctor Who and Bluey. BBC Studios has offices in over 20 markets globally, including ten production bases in the UK and production bases or partnerships in a further seven countries around the world. The company, which ordinarily makes around 2000 hours of content a year for both the BBC and third parties including Apple, Netflix and Migu, is a champion for British creativity around the world. It is also a committed partner for the UK's independent sector through a mix of equity partnerships, content investment and international distribution for programme titles.
bbcstudios.com
Sarner
With over 50 years of experience in the industry, Sarner is a leading international experiential design and production practice behind many of the world's best-loved immersive exhibitions, museums, attractions, and branded destinations. An experienced team with a proven track record in delivering attractions that stand out from the competition, Sarner has a global reputation for creating award-winning destinations that spark wonder, drive recommendations and boost visitor numbers.
sarner.com
Doctor Who
Doctor Who is one of the longest running action adventure television series in the world spanning 57 years and winning over 100 awards. This quintessentially British show has a huge global following, with 9.6m fans across social platforms/channels and 100m video views on YouTube in the last year alone. It has been honoured by Guinness World Records as the longest running science-fiction series in the world. Doctor Who has a proven track-record in consumer products and live entertainment with over four and a half million Sonic Screwdrivers sold in the past eleven years, over 13 million action figures sold since 2005, over 19 million DVDs sold globally and over one million tickets sold for live events.
