Doctor Who Event: ‘The Gothic Tales’ An Afternoon with Philip Hinchcliffe Review Headrow House, Leeds

By David Schuster, September 2024

The inimitable Philip Hinchcliffe was a defining creative force in British television for three decades, from the 1970s onwards. The veteran Producer masterminded what is often referred to as the golden years of Doctor Who; the first three seasons with Tom Baker as the titular time lord. That period saw the show’s highest ever viewing figures. Following this triumph, he went on to produce some iconic TV dramas that are still regarded as standards against which others are measured, such as Target, Private Schulz and The Charmer. It was therefore a delight to hear him speak for a second time at ‘The Gothic Tales’.

These Doctor Who themed talks, organised by Who77 Promotions, have become a cosy Sunday afternoon tradition over the last six years. They always draw in the fans, as evidenced by the capacity audience in the events space of Headrow House in Leeds. Following a now tried and tested formula, the guest speaker is asked guiding questions by host Chris Hoyle. The celebrities are then allowed the freedom to run with the subject, providing entertaining anecdotes and insights from their careers. Hoyle, in a red velvet jacket giving him an air of one of the Doctor’s companions from yesteryear, is knowledgable and enthusiastic about the subject, gently providing a framework for the chat.

“Yorkshire connection”

Hinchcliffe talked first of his formative years. Born in Dewsbury, his family soon moved to the rural Thames valley where he grew up, attending Slough Grammar School. That Yorkshire connection however meant that he often visited Leeds, remembering with evident fondness the excitement and bustle of Northern industrial cities. Surprisingly, he highlights just how much busier such cities were in the past, when many more lived and worked there. His first TV role was as a script writer for the ATV (Associated Television) soap opera Crossroads, ascending through the ranks to Script Editor and finally Associate Producer for the popular drama General Hospital, before moving onto the BBC.

Over the course of his long career, the seasoned Producer has also authored a number of books. The latest of these, The DNA of Doctor Who, has just been launched. It’s a collection of essays, by experts in many disciplines, examining the many seminal Doctor Who storylines he produced, including ‘The Brain of Morbius’, ‘The Seeds of Doom’ and, one of my personal favourites, ‘The Genesis of the Daleks’. In this instance, he’s not the author but rather provides the commentary through a series of interviews used to provide commentary to the essays.

image: Who77 Promotions

“Creative advantages”

Philip and Chris talk through each of the three seasons (12, 13 and 14) of the time travel saga, covering many interesting and diverse topics, such as the now out-dated depiction of Chinese people in ‘The Talons of Weng-Chiang’ and the creative advantages of the Doctor having a companion, following the abrupt departure of Elisabeth Sladen from the role of Sarah Jane Smith. The afternoon then concluded with the chance for the audience to ask questions.

As you’d expect, there was plenty of opportunity to buy the book, get autographs and have selfies with the star guest, both during the interval and afterwards. There was also a lovely moment where Hinchcliffe’s imminent 80th birthday is mentioned and the audience launch into an impromptu chorus of ‘Happy Birthday’.

At one point, Hoyle observed that television producers can be broadly categorised into two types: Doves, who tow the line and keep the peace, and Hawks, that push the boundaries and so stir things up a bit. It’s clear that Hinchcliffe relishes being a hawk, and it is this which has caused his works to remain so well loved.

Who77 Promotions plan more Doctor Who themed events for 2025. Follow their Facebook page to find out about these as they are announced, or keep an eye on who77promotions.co.uk
Philip Hinchcliffe’s latest book, The DNA of Doctor Who, is available from Cutaway Comics