Does the sight of a blue police box excite you?
Do you think that the best item to have with you at all times is a screwdriver?
Do you have a love/hate relationship with the BBC?
Does the idea of a cyborg ostensibly armed with a plunger and a whisk frighten you?
Do you enjoy running?
Would you like a jelly baby?

If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, then you’re probably a fan of Doctor Who. If you are not, then unfortunately you have recorded a false-positive result, and probably did not attend 50 Years of Doctor Who: Preachrs Podcast Live, a wise decision since the enthusiasm and love of the world’s longest-running sci-fi show is gloriously overwhelming the moment you walk in the door. Lovers of the show both young and old gathered to discuss and appreciate the Doctor, his fabulous blue box, and the courageous companions who have accompanied him for the last 50 years.

Created by Benjamin Maio Mackay, an incredibly talented 13-year-old, Preachrs Podcast is a podcast that focuses on and discusses all aspects of Doctor Who. The Live show at this year’s Fringe was hosted by its creator, along with Nicholas Finch, a fellow 13-year-old ‘whovian’, and Rob Lloyd, a comedian and actor who became hooked on the show in his university years and never looked back. Dressed as an incarnation of the Doctor each, the three hosts provided two hours of discussion, quizzes and analysis of Doctor Who in all its splendour.

The audience was as enamoured with Who as the hosts, many of them dressing up as their characters or wearing Who-related t-shirts. The hosts also encouraged their audience to participate by providing quizzes, discussion about characters and episodes either loved or hated, and all with the appropriate promise of jelly babies as an incentive. This gathering of self-confessed nerds was incredibly enjoyable, and the opportunity to focus on something that everyone present genuinely loved was simply brilliant. Each of the Doctor’s incarnations was discussed, with the hosts expressing their opinions on the actors, their portrayals, and the episodes that have made the show what it is today.

The Podcast was also particularly engaging due to insights on the Doctor himself, and why he became, and still is, incredibly popular and loved. It allowed fans not only to let loose, but to gain a whole new appreciation for the show, its actors, and anything Who-related, really. The hosts were enthusiastically eloquent, and often geeky and awkward (which is to be expected, honestly, this is a show about Doctor Who), and happy to share their opinions and love with everyone else in the room.

And to any Whovians who missed out, don’t despair! You can still get your Who-fix from the Preachrs Podcast, which is available online. And if that still isn’t enough to stem your sorrows, why not go watch Earthshock, or The Angels Take Manhattan? Missing out may not seem so bad in comparison.