A team of scientists have created a real-life miniature "tractor beam" in another displaying of Science Fiction becoming Science Fact.

The microscopic beam, created by scientists from Scotland and the Czech Republic, allows a source of light to attract objects.

Light manipulation techniques have existed since the 1970s, but researchers say the experiment is the first instance of a beam being used to draw objects towards light.

Researchers from the University of St Andrews and the Institute of Scientific Instruments (ISI) in the Czech Republic say development of the beam may be an aid to medical testing, such as in the examination of blood samples.

Normally, when matter and light interact, a solid object is pushed by the light and carried away in a stream of photons.

However, in recent years, researchers have realised that there is a space of parameters when this force reverses.

The scientists have now demonstrated the first experimental realisation of the concept.

Professor Pavel Zemanek of the ISI said:

"The whole team have spent a number of years investigating various configurations of particles delivery by light. I am proud our results were recognised in this very competitive environment and I am looking forward to new experiments and applications. It is a very exciting time."

Dr Oto Brzobohaty, also of the ISI, said:

"These methods are opening new opportunities for fundamental phonics as well as applications for life-sciences."

Doctor Who itself has seen several instances in its 50-year history, where tractor beams have been used.

In the 1977, 4th Doctor adventure 'The Creature From The Pit' the TARDIS tractor beam is used to tow a neutron star and reverse its direction.

In the 2006, 10th Doctor adventure, 'The Satan Pit' the TARDIS tractor beam is used to save the Sanctuary Base 6 rocket.

[Source: Sky News]

BBC Worldwide have today launched the new 50th Anniversary Doctor Who website at doctorwho.tv.

The site is a commercial venture with some fantastic factual sections too. Fans can browse guides to the Doctors, Companions and Monsters, as well as News and links to the Doctor Who Events, TV Episodes, Games and the BBC Doctor Who Shop.

[Source: BBC Worldwide]

Doctor Who failed to win any of the categories it was nominated in at this years National Television Awards.

Doctor Who was nominated in the Drama category, but lost out to Downton Abbey.

Matt Smith was nominated in the Drama Performance: Male category, but lost out to Melin star, Colin Morgan.

Karen Gillan was nominated in the Drama Performance: Female category, but lost out to Call the Midwife star, Miranda Hart.

Doctor Who wasn't totally ignored though, as I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here - (featuring Colin Baker - The 6th Doctor) - won the Entertainment Programme category.

This marks the second year in a row since the show's return in 2005 where Doctor Who has failed to pick up any awards at the NTAs. On a more positive note though, how many shows featured at this years awards will ever claim to celebrate a 50th Anniversary :)

MSN UK Entertainment have released a video (which you can watch below) with stars chatting about Doctor Who and Sherlock:

The Ultimate-TV, BBC Home Entertainment, and Columbia College are bringing Doctor Who screening to Chicago beginning Saturday 26th January 2013.

The screenings will be held at Columbia College Chicago, 600 South Michigan Avenue from 1pm – 4pm in the Ferguson Lecture Hall, on the first floor. 

To kick off the 50th anniversary celebration of Doctor Who, there’ll be a special screening of the very first episode; 'An Unearthly Child' starring William Hartnell, Carole Ann Ford, Jacqueline Hill and William Russell. 

Immediately following the screening, there will be a Q&A, trivia quiz; costume contest and special prizes will be given away, courtesy of BBC Home Entertainment. 

This event is FREE to the public and will be held on the last Saturday of the month.

+ To register, go to http://theultimatedrwho2.eventbrite.com/ - seating is limited, first come, first seated. 

[Source: The Ultimate-TV]

This morning, the Royal Shakespeare Company's new artistic director, Gregory Doran, confirmed that David Tennant is to return to the company in the title role of Richard II. 

The production, will also be directed by Doran, who previously directed Tennant in Hamlet and Love's Labours Lost. The show will transfer to the RSC's original London home of the Barbican after its run in Stratford between 10th October-16th November 2013.

A video interview with David Tennant has be posted on YouTube by the RSC, which DWO viewers can watch below:

+  Ticket information will be available in the coming weeks.

[Source: RSC]

Our friends over at the Sydney Opera House have sent DWO details of a new video, just launched on their website, featuring the media call with Alex Kingston, Mark Williams and Murray Gold.

Click on the link below to view the Media Call video:
http://play.sydneyoperahouse.com/index.php/media/1716-Doctor-Who-Symphonic-Spectacular.html

Get ready for an invasion as Sydney Opera House opens its doors to hordes of monsters in a musical celebration of Doctor Who. Go behind the scenes with Alex Kingston (River Song), Mark Williams (Brian Williams), and composer Murray Gold, as they explain how this iconic series has been brought to the stage alongside the Metropolitan Orchestra.

+  For more information and to book tickets, Click Here.

[Source: Sydney Opera House]

DWO have been sent a clip featuring a glimpse of Sylvester McCoy (The 7th Doctor) as 'Radagast the Brown' in the upcoming The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey movie.

The clip (which can be seen below) sees Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, Radagast and the Dwarves set upon by a pack of Wargs.

Warner Bros have also sent us a promotional image featuring Radagast and Gandalf which you can view to the right.

+  The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is in cinemas from 14th December 2012.

[Source: Paul Lockwood; ThinkJam]

David Tennant (The Tenth Doctor) will make his Star Wars: The Clone Wars debut this week in “A Test of Strength” airing Saturday 10th November at 9:30am ET/PT on Cartoon Network. 

Tennant will voice the character Huyang, a droid who greatly impacts the journey of a group of young Jedi, who were just setting out to build their first lightsabers in last week’s episode. The famed actor will continue to appear in the series for the following two episodes, “Bound for Rescue” and “A Necessary Strength.”

“When I heard the Doctor himself, David Tennant, was a fan of Star Wars I knew I had to find a way to get in contact with him to see if he would perform on Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” said Dave Filoni, Supervising Director, Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

“The result was ‘Huyang,’ an ancient droid in the service of the Jedi Order, whose sole task in life has been overseeing the construction of lightsabers. I thought David was perfect for the part and he did not disappoint. He delivered a performance which impressed even the Master himself, George Lucas.”

Lucasfilm have kindly given DWO permission to add the clip to the DWO YouTube Channel, which you can watch below: 

+  A Test Of Strength airs on Saturday 10th November at 9:30am ET/PT on Cartoon Network.

[Source: Lucasfilm]

Ex-Doctor Who actor and friend to DWO, Colin Baker, has been confirmed as a contestant on this years 'I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here' reality TV show.

Colin is already in Australia and ready to enter the jungle when the popular reality show hits our screens this Sunday (11th November).

Famed for playing The 6th Doctor, Colin has expressed his excitement at entering the jungle and facing whatever challenges come his way. The 6th Doctor was renowned for hating carrot juice, but it seems 'old sixie' will be facing far worse than that downunder...

DWO have started the #ColinToWin hashtag on Twitter and encourage all our visitors to use it and help Colin win the coveted title of 'King of the Jungle'.

Baker recorded an intro video for the I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here website, which can be viewed below: 

+  I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here begins on Sunday 11th November at 9pm on ITV1.

[Source: ITV1]

Melbourne Impro Theatre Company The Impro Box is putting on an improvised show inspired by Doctor Who called Time Lord.

The show is completely made up on the spot and centres around a fan who presents an adventure about the Time Lord inspired by an audience suggestion. 

Each week, The Doctor and companion encounter villains and heroes in brand new, never before seen stories. Appearing with the regular Impro Box cast is renowned improviser, performer and Whovian Rob Lloyd ("Who, Me", "Pride Hard", "Live on Bowen"), who has appeared at Armageddon 2011 and the International Melbourne Comedy Festival.

Further information:

Dates: Every Wednesday at 7:30pm, from 31st October-12th December 2012.
Where: Club Voltaire, 14 Raglan St, North Melbourne
Tickets: $15 (Full) / $10 (Concession)
Bookings: http://www.theimprobox.com

+  More information can be found at http://www.theimprobox.com. 

[Source: The Impro Box]

The Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff Bay is preparing to welcome visitors through the TARDIS doors in Porth Teigr with a special half-term schedule. The Doctor Who Experience has proved popular with fans around the world since opening in Cardiff in July 2012, welcoming over 40,000 visitors to the Welsh capital.

Exclusive activities taking place at the DWE over the half-term period are as follows:

27th October
Learn to walk like a monster by taking part in master-classes with monster choreographer for Doctor Who Ailsa Burke.

28th October
The Doctor Who Experience’s curator Andrew Beech hosts informal chats on the mezzanine where he will share his unique insight into the monsters of Doctor Who. 

29th October
Visitors to the Experience can enjoy a monster makeover by former Doctor Who make-up artist and resident face-painter Bethan Kate Harris. Choose between a Weeping Angel, Cyberman, Silurian, Peg Doll and Silence or a mini-paint (TARDIS or Dalek).

31st October
Bethan returns to the Doctor Who Experience as the exhibition comes to life. Visitors on Halloween should prepare for a number of spooky surprises; the exhibits might not be as permanent as they appear...

2nd November
Bethan Kate Harris returns to the Experience to hand out more monster makeovers.

3rd November
Stephen Nicholas from Doctor Who production in Roath Lock hosts informal chats on the mezzanine where he shares his unique insights into producing the world’s longest running sci-fi series.

4th November
Ailsa Burke rounds off the half-term activity at Doctor Who with another walk like a monster master class.

The Doctor Who Experience is the world’s only interactive Doctor Who exhibition. Visitors to the Experience take part in their own Doctor Who adventure, confronting Daleks and Weeping Angels in a quest to reunite the Doctor and his TARDIS. The exhibition area of the Experience houses the largest collection of Doctor Who props and exhibits ever assembled.

More information can be found at www.doctorwhoexperience.com. 

[Source: BBC Worldwide]

Speaking at Cheltenham Literature Festival, John Simm (The Master in Doctor Who) stated he would be keen to reprise the role and play a 'quieter' Master.

“I’d love the opportunity to play him differently, I’d love to have another take on him, to be a bit quieter.”

Simm was the seventh actor to take on the role of The Doctor’s arch-adversary – most recently in the 2009 Christmas special – and was notable for his manic cackling. 

“I started annoying myself after a while,” he confessed. “Russell T Davies had a specific idea of what he wanted him to be like. So I just had to do exactly what he wanted me to, and he wanted a giggling lunatic.”

However, he did admit that the Master’s blond hair was his idea: “That was a mistake. I shouldn’t have listened to my instinct there.”

"There's a new writer now" he continued, referring to Davies’ successor Steven Moffat – “and I’m sure his take on him would be different so I’d be interested to have a look at it. I’d like to take the Master to a very, very dark place.”

Simm is currently filming another BBC1 drama called The Village in which he also plays a "nutter".

“It's about the residents of a village in Derbyshire over a hundred years," he explained, "as seen through the eyes of a guy who’s now the oldest man in the world – a character called Bert.”

“I’m Bert’s dad. It’s like no other part I’ve ever done: he’s a farmer and a real piece of work. He's not farmer Barley Mow; he’s more like There Will Be Blood.”

UPDATE - 1:00pm
John Simm recently tweeted in response to the Radio Times news item, stating:

"Thats not strictly true. I was answering a specific question at a Q+A session. #dontreadtoomuchintoit"

+  The Village is expected to air on BBC One in 2013.

[Source: Radio Times]

'Tales of Mystery and Terror' the charity evening raising money for St Michael’s Hospice in  St Leonards, East Sussex went down fantastically well last Friday (12th October), down at the Stables Theatre in Hastings.

Supporting the event were the amazing dream team of Tom Baker, Paul Darrow and Toby Hadoke. Music was supplied by the Renaissance Theatre Group. The Tom Baker Q&A was conducted by Producers Oliver McNeil (Legend Photography) & Steve Corke (Renaissance Theatre).

Highlights of the evening were a reading of Edgar Alan Poe’s 'The Raven' and an exclusive, unheard story written by Tom Baker himself titled 'The Watcher'.

For information on any further events follow www.facebook.com/Talesofmysteryandterror.

[Source: Legend Photography]

DWO have teamed up with Milk Two Sugars to give away 2 pairs of tickets to see Arthur Darvill in his new West End play, 'Our Boys'.

To be in with a chance of winning, all you have to do is Follow DWO on Twitter and Tweet: "@DrWhoOnline @OurBoysThePlay #OurBoys".

Hurry though, as the competition closes this Monday (22nd October) at 6:00pm, and the winners will be announced on the DWO Twitter channel.

This searingly honest and explosively funny play is based on the author’s own experience. The cast includes Arthur Darvill (Rory in Doctor Who), Laurence Fox (Hathaway in Lewis) and Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter films). 

Six young soldiers are killing nothing but time as they recover from injuries incurred in the line of duty. Suddenly, their daily routine of TV, lonely hearts ads and banter is shattered by the arrival of a young officer. The camaraderie of this unlikely band of brothers is soon jeopardised by a dangerous incident and an act of betrayal.

You can also buy top price tickets to Our Boys, including a drink with some of the cast for £32.50 (normally £45.00). To book tickets please call 0844 412 4659 and quote ‘Fan Night’ offer or visit http://www.londontheatres.co.uk/duchess-theatre/ and enter FANNIGHT promo code when prompted.

Competition Terms and conditions apply. Tickets are valid for 1st November 2012 only. Subject to availability. Prize is as stated and cannot be transferred or exchanged. No cash alternative will be offered. Producers reserve the right to restrict prizewinner tickets to specific performances during busy periods.

Offer terms and conditions: Tickets are valid for 1st November 2012 only. Subject to availability. Cannot be used retrospectively or in conjunction with any other offer. Drink includes a beer, glass of wine or a soft drink. Booking fees may apply.

+  'Our Boys' is showing at the Duchess Theatre in London's Catherine Street, from 26th September-15th December 2012.

[Source: Milk Two Sugars]

BBC Germany has launched its own official website for Doctor Who.

The site includes guides to all 6 seasons of the New Series, as well as links to the BBC Germany Shop, Official Doctor Who Facebook page, Wallpapers and iTunes links.

There are also listings available showing when Doctor Who is airing in Germany.

+ Doctor Who airs on Sunday's on Fox Germany.

+  Link - BBC Germany Doctor Who Site.

[Source: BBC Germany]