This week, Wimbledon New Theatre was the venue for a special event celebrating the life and work of actor and comic Jon Pertwee. The Doctor Who Appreciation Society, currently enjoying its 40th Anniversary, unveiled the plaque as part of a day’s events celebrating Jon’s career.
Known to millions as TV’s “Doctor Who” – a role he played between 1970-1974 – Jon had a long association with the theatre. One of his final performances was in 1989 when he reprised the role of the Doctor in a stage play based on the long-running series.
The plaque was unveiled by Jon’s widow, Ingeborg, and daughter Dariel Pertwee. “My father”, she commented “would have been chuffed. He’d always wanted a blue plaque.” Both Dariel (Buddha Of Suburbia) and son, Sean (Elementary, Gotham) followed in their father’s footsteps by becoming actors.
Friends and colleagues including Barry Cryer OBE, June Whitfield CBE, Lorraine Chase, Carry On’s Fenella Fielding, Coronation Street’s Derek Griffiths, impressionist Jon Culshaw attended the Red Carpet Event. Who luminaries included Sixth Doctor Colin Baker, assistant Katy Manning, UNIT stalwarts Richard Franklin and John Levine, writers Terrance Dicks and Bob Baker, and Directors Graeme Harper and Michael Ferguson. The presentation was followed by a special screening of The Claws of Axos, with the Golden One himself – Bernard Holley – in attendance.
DWAS as they are affectionately known, have been always been at the heart of Who fandom, having kept the flame alive when they show was off air between 1989-2005.
For more information about DWAS and up coming events visit: http://www.dwasonline.co.uk
Image: Jon Culshaw and Katy Manning courtesy of Steve Lillie (steve.lillie@me.com)