Cosmic Masque VII-Interview with Jamie Hill

 

Cosmic Masque 8 (My article)

Doctor Who Experience 9-9-17

Well, it’s passed four years now, on the ninth of September 2017, my daughter and I had the opportunity to visit the Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff, Wales. For those “Who” are unaware of what that is, it’s an interactive exhibition that showcases Doctor Who with various costumes and props from the show. It starts off with a short film starring Peter Capaldi, recorded specifically for the Experience. A guide takes you through a 30 minuteish adventure following the Doctor’s instructions and takes you to the Tardis console and other sets including awaking Daleks. Your goal, obviously, save the planet and save the Tardis. Once the day is saved, a door opens to the museum and you are free to roam and look at the costumes, props, etc. from various series of the show. You were able to see costumes and props from just about every Doctor, companion, & villain. There is also (as there is always) a gift shop (You have a little shop. I love a little shop. ) that offers a variety of Doctor Who souvenirs you can purchase. Since the day my daughter and I attended was the last day it was open, souvenirs were slim pickings. I was able to buy an official companion guide (Program) and an autographed print of Camille Coduri (aka Jackie Tyler).

There were also a multitude of costumed people walking around the inside as well of outside of the Experience, which made it even more interactive. It was really cool to see live Cybermen, Whisper Men, and even one of Mrs. Rossiter’s Peg Dolls (And it was actually Nathalie Cuzner in the costume) walking around the exhibit. Since the last day was sold out, the Experience asked to limit your time within to only 2.5 hours. So my daughter and I made sure we had seen everything in triplicate. A real good friend of mine at the time (who actually bought our tickets to the DWE) messaged me saying that there was someone I had to meet before I left. Well we were already downstairs. He told me I had to meet Jamie Hill. I knew that Jamie played the Foretold in the Doctor Who episode Mummy on the Orient Express, and the Monk in Extremis, The Pyramid at the End of the World and The Lie of the Land. Well to my surprise Jamie was also a manager at the Experience. I asked the guy in the gift shop if Jamie was around. He told me he should be right inside the exhibit. I told him I couldn’t go back in because of the no in and out policy. I also told him where we hailed from. He was really shocked and excited that we traveled all the way from Texas. He said follow me. And he proceeded to take me back in the exhibit to Jamie. Jamie was actually giving an interview with Christel Dee for the Doctor Who Fan Show. So I waited until he was through and the guy introduced me to Jamie and told him where I was from. We spoke for a couple minutes. I didn’t want to take up too much of his time as technically he was working. But he was a really cool guy. He took a couple photos with me and signed a photo for me with no problem.

So I headed back downstairs to my daughter and we stopped and had a snack in The Blue Box Café’ downstairs. I had seen Christel in the lobby downstairs. We chatted for a couple minutes (just an extremely nice lady) and we took a couple photos together. As my daughter and I were sitting there my friend Tom had messaged me saying that he just had seen on tv that Nick Briggs was inside doing an interview. Nick does the voice of the Daleks. Well unfortunately as I said before the Experience is a no in and out policy. So I couldn’t go back in and get him. But…I could go back into the gift shop which happens to be where the exit is. Lol. My daughter and I went back to the shop and not two minutes later he came out. I got his attention and he signed a photo for me as well and took a photo with me. I told him where we came from and he asked if any of my family were affected by Hurricane Harvey and he expressed deep concern for Texas. We spoke for about five minutes and he was on his way. And so were my daughter and I. We went outside and were going to take a walk around Cardiff Bay to see some of the filming locations of Doctor Who. But before we left, we kept hearing that there was going to be a big sendoff of the Experience. Actors and actresses and writers and directors who frequently visited the Experience would be making an appearance. Just a few that were rumored was Peter Capaldi, Pearl Mackie, and the hilarious Matt Lucas. It was going to have a proper farewell. So we waited and waited and waited. After the last tour went in, they had everyone make their way outside and they locked the doors. Everyone hung around outside expecting something to happen or someone to show up. But alas nothing happened. The crowd kept getting smaller and smaller. Finally we decided to leave and take in the sites and grab a bite to eat.

This was just an all-around great Experience.  From the actual Doctor Who Experience to the BBC Studios across the street to the sights and everything. But I am glad I was able to spend the time and share the “experience” with my awesome daughter Sydnie. And though it’s been going on five years since we’ve been there, it still seems like yesterday. And I’m sure the memories will stay like that forever.

Eddie's American Diner- Cardiff, Wales

           

                 I was saddened when I just found out that Eddie’s American Diner in Cardiff Bay had closed its doors. They have gone out of business. With the closing of the Doctor Who Experience, one of the area’s biggest draw for tourists, it really doesn’t surprise me. It does make me reminisce of my daughter and I’s visit to the diner when we traveled from Dallas, Texas to Cardiff for the closing of the Doctor Who Experience. It truly was a special visit that will always be in my memory and my heart.

             After my daughter and I visited the Doctor Who Experience and had an awesome time doing so, we decided to take up the sites in Cardiff Bay. We had a general idea of a few things we wanted to see. Ianto’s Shrine, Torchwood and Doctor Who filming locations, and Eddie’s Diner, etc. My friend who is from Wales told me that I would absolutely kick myself if I didn’t go to Eddie’s Diner. It was on my list, but even more so now. 

             So after checking a few things out, we started to get a little hungry. So we started making our way to Eddie’s Diner. On the way there, who did we run in to? None other than the awesome Russell T. Davies himself. We chatted with him for a few minutes, took a couple photos with him and then continued to our destination to Eddie’s Diner. Eddie’s was right around the corner from where we were. For those that are unaware, Eddie’s Diner is an “American” Diner in Cardiff Bay. A couple Doctor Who episodes were also filmed there. The first was “The Impossible Astronaut” with Matt Smith as the Doctor and the second was “Hell Bent” with Peter Capaldi as the Doctor. 

             As we approached, we noticed that the place was busy, but not too busy. It seemed to be a seat yourself type of place. So we found a table right outside and sat down to wait for a server to come and take our order. After about ten minutes of waiting I walked in and went to the register. A gentleman at the counter told me that we order and pay there and then they bring our food to us. Oh ok, I thought. So I found an open table inside and my daughter and I sat there. After looking at the menu we decided what we wanted and I went to order it. After speaking with the gentleman (He might have been the owner, maybe the manager) and telling him where we came from to visit, he was elated and thanked us for stopping by. We sat and had our burgers and chips. And let me say OMG, these were some of the best burgers I have ever tasted. 

             We had noticed some other “tourists” that were in the diner taking photos and just being downright rude to the waitresses and other customers. We did not want to be “those” people. So as we were getting up to leave, I told the gentleman thank you and that the meal was delicious. At that time another gentleman joined him behind the counter and he told him where we were from. They both said did you take any pictures? This is where so and so was and that is where so and so sat (Which happened to be the booth that we were sitting in eating). The first gentleman said you’ve come so far, take as many pictures as you want. Did you see the Tardis door in the back? So my daughter took some shots of me in a couple spots and we went to the door in the back. Just a fabulous time and experience. The staff and the management (possibly owner) could not have made our visit any greater. For that I thank you. One thing I do wish is that they had “Eddie’s Diner” t-shirts. If they did, I missed them. But that would have been so cool to buy.

            Since our visit I have read many reviews of the diner. There were quite a few that differed from my experience. I’m not sure if it had to do with anything specific. But our time and food was great. I am glad I was able to visit and eat there. Even though I was only able to go once, the positive experience we had makes me sad that it is now closed.