Fandom’s devotion can trace its roots back to the original death of the fictional hero Sherlock Holmes.
The public mourning was so great that Arthur Conan Doyle was forced, deeply reluctantly, to revive the beloved character. The first 'fan' was an intellectual explorer analysing and investigating with a startling devotion, and yet the idea of the fan has devolved into a stereotype of sobbing teenagers and awkward loners.
It’s sometimes hard to remember the vibrant creative force of fandoms, and the good they bring to the world, but Rob Lloyd is ready to set the record straight once and for all.
His show, ‘Who, Me’ is a romp through the Whovian community’s exuberance for the fictional Time Lord known only as the Doctor, and he’s quick to defend the show from its detractors. “The best thing about the Doctor is that he’s a character who can change. Fundamentally, it’s the same man, but you get to see this one character evolve... It’s a show of infinite possibilities.”
While many shows survive only as long as they maintain a certain actor or writer, “'Doctor Who' has a freedom that can go anywhere, do anything, can be played by anyone.” Through his regenerations, the Doctor’s actor can be switched out as required, bringing a new set of tensions and dilemmas to the show. It’s one of the reasons the television icon has celebrated its 50-year anniversary.
But why are people so passionate about an alien with a fondness for London and anachronistic fashion choices? For Lloyd, it’s partly down to the life lessons woven within the stories being told. “There are big broad themes, but you can adapt that to your everyday life.” The Doctor might be able to take down empires and regimes, but we can remember to be kind, and call our families. It’s a far less daunting quest.
Fans are flocking to ‘Who, Me’, a trial-like exploration of the pros and cons of fandom and the Whovian life. “I try and keep the comedy flowing. There’s a lot there for people to get out of it: one man’s obsession with 'Doctor Who', and how it relates to everyone’s obsessions.” But for those who have never seen an episode, Lloyd is quick with reassurance. “You don’t need to be a ‘Doctor Who’ fan to see this show. People love to see people on stage talking passionately about what they do. They feel quite empowered by that.” There’s something about seeing someone openly talking about the highs and lows, the shameful moments and the proud ones, that makes it a little easier to embrace your own inner-fan.
There are in-jokes for the fandom, of course, but ‘Who, Me’ is about more than one fan’s Whovian memoir. It’s about the way we all have something we love passionately and exuberantly, whether it's music, literature, sports, or visual media.
It’s easy to imagine that a lot of DVD marathons went into the making of ‘Who, Me’, but Lloyd laughs off the suggestion. “Research has been about going back to stories of my own life, and how they connect with 'Doctor Who'.” Often times, it came down to talking to family, hearing their stories and memories about his life, or learning about what was happening in the fandom during the hiatus. In that way, he takes his own experiences in the Whovian community, and uses it to help paint a picture of the community’s journey through the highs and lows of the show.
‘Who, Me’ performs Brisbane Powerhouse 3-6 December as part of Wonderland Festival which runs 3-20 December.
