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1ST JANUARY 2009

(7-MINUTE MINI-EPISODE)

Musica universalis (“Music of the Spheres”) is an ancient philosophical concept

that regards the movements of celestial bodies as a form of music. Of course, this ‘music’

is not literally audible, but it is nonetheless a harmonic, mathematical concept. Music of the Spheres also happens to be the title of a seven-minute episode of Doctor Who that was premièred at the Royal Albert Hall in London before the interval of the Doctor Who Prom

on 27th July 2008.

Above: Julian Bleach appears as Davros during the Dark and Endless Dalek Night at the Doctor Who Prom

Rather cleverly, Russell T Davies wrote this mini-episode to tie in with the events of the Doctor Who Prom. Almost pantomimesque at times, Music of the Spheres takes great delight in the breaking of the fourth wall. When a Graske appears in the TARDIS to warn

the Doctor about a space portal that has just mysteriously – and somewhat unaccountably,

I should add - appeared in the middle of the console room, the Doctor finds that this portal leads right into the Albert Hall in the middle of a Prom…

“I’ve just been composing something myself. I’ve just been inspired by the music of the spheres.”

Needless to say, David Tennant relishes the opportunity to truly surpass William Hartnell’s infamous “Merry Christmas to all of you at home” with a magnificently shameless attempt

at conducting Murray Gold’s orchestra. It may well be insuppressibly naff (especially when watching the episode in isolation), but I would imagine that the Albert Hall’s audience – the intended audience – will have really lapped it up, particularly when the Graske started to

run around shooting them with a water pistol

(yes, he escaped through the portal whilst the Doctor was showing off!)

Thankfully though, all it took was a quick reversing of the polarity of the neutron flow (which I would imagine drew one almighty cheer from the audience!), and the Albert Hall was saved from Jimmy Vee’s mischievous little Graske.

“When you’re on your own, just close your eyes and you’ll hear it. The music inside your head.

‘Cos everyone’s a musician. Everyone’s got a song inside them. Every single one of you…”

The skit ends on a surprisingly touching note, with the Doctor delivering an affecting little speech that bleeds seamlessly into Delia Derbyshire’s rendition of Ron Grainer’s original Doctor Who theme tune.

As I write this, I’ve no idea whether Music of the Spheres will ever see broadcast or DVD release, although to be fair it won’t really be a tremendous shame if it never does. I’m sure that this comic little burlesque is something that you really had to be there to appreciate; I

just wish that I could have been!

Copyright © E.G. Wolverson 2008

E.G. Wolverson has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

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