Apparently Norwich in the middle of nowhere, is a veritable hotbed of Sci-Fi fanaticism, and was holding its fourth Sci-Fi and Film Convention at the University of East Anglia, but importantly it was organised only by the Norwich Star Wars Club. They had also arranged for two Doctor Who actors to attend, but that was the cause of the later trouble, that apparently flared after members of the 'rival' Norwich Sci-Fi club arrived to get autographs from the two actors.
Norwich Sci-Fi Convention 2013 |
It appears that there was what's known colloquially as 'previous history' between the Norwich Star Wars Club and the members of the Norwich Sci-Fi club and this spilled over into a heated argument between two rival groups of fans. What made the scene all the more colourful was that most of the participants were 'in character' so to speak. The reports describe the visiting disputers as being dressed as 'the fifth Doctor', with two others outside the convention dressed as the '10th Doctor' and 'Judge Dredd'.
Dr Who and Star Wars Conventioneers |
The Police were eventually called after reports of a man being assaulted at the convention, and they spoke to both groups of fans. However after reviewing the security camera footage they were able to confirm that "After a lengthy investigation, talking to witnesses and reviewing good CCTV footage, it was confirmed that there was no assault. The two rival groups were spoken to and advised to keep out of each other's way".
As one member of the Norwich Sci-Fi club said afterwards “This wasn't a fight between Star Wars fans and Doctor Who fans with light-sabers and sonic screwdrivers drawn”
Star Wars and Dan Dare were Strange Bedfellows |
While a member of the Norwich Star Wars Club said "It does sound comical. People that dress up in costume are labelled geeks and some people laugh at us, and this just makes it even more so".
Storm Trooper v Cybermen - Who Wins? |
What the two Doctor Who actors thought of all this, is sadly, not recorded in the annals of Gallifrey.
They may not be recorded in the annals of Gallifrey - yet.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, it happened a Long, Long time ago...
Haha I missed this story.
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