Thames Con 2023
This year we are teaming up with the Cornerstone Arts Centre in Oxfordshire on 28th October 2023 to celebrate their 15th anniversary, and the arts in Oxfordshire. We are excited to be taking a closer look at the making of Oxford based Author Philip Pullmans 'His Dark Materials'. More on this below! Join us for this family friendly fun day. You can expect kids activities, interactive workshops, insightful talks, friendly guests and unique experiences.
His Dark Materials
making-of
Masterclass
William Todd-Jones (Pictured) was the Head of creatures, daemons & bears for the recent fantasy TV series “His Dark Materials", set in Oxford. William Todd-Jones will be leading a very exciting making-of masterclass. Find out more here.
Childhood Favourites
Legendary puppeteer Ronnie Le Drew will be joining us with some of his good friends; Zippy (Rainbow), Sooty & Sweep! Ronnie is best known for performing Zippy but he has also worked on many other wonderful projects and movies such as Labyrinth, Little Shop of Horrors, Muppet Christmas Carol, Muppet Treasure Island and most recently Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.
More Special Guests
We are so pleased to be joined by some local heroes including Nathan Pegler (Dr Who, His Dark Materials, Poldark, The Crown, No Time to Die) and John Chapman (Star Wars: A New Hope) and slight less local Tina Simmons (Star Wars Return Of The Jedi, James Bond movies; Die Another Day, seen in the Ice Palace, A View to a Kill, The Living Daylights, and Octopussy, The Dark Knight, Superman III, Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, Supergirl, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Little Shop of Horrors, and Mission Impossible). Plus Master puppeteer William Todd-Jones (Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy, Harry Potter, Batman, Little Shop of Horrors, Who Framed Roger Roger Rabbit, Labyrinth).
Kids Activities
Cosplay/Costume Competition
Dress up in your favourite super hero costume.. or whatever you like! Enter the costume competition to win some fantastic prizes!
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Pumpkin Treasure Hunt
Find all the pumpkins hidden around the cornerstone to win a prize!
Workshops
Make your very own super hero mask, make and decorate Halloween decorations and make your own mini Dalek!
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Puppet demos
Our childhood favourites will be brought to life! Enjoy seeing (and hearing) Rainbows 'Zippy' and Sooty & Sweep!
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Lucky dip and Tombola
Are you brave enough to put your hand in the witches Cauldron and pull out a prize? Not all of the prizes are treats!
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More things to see & Do
Creatures from Jim Henson's Labyrinth
Have your photo taken with Hoggle, Sir Didymus, the Worm and the Goblins, all while holding a Firey's head!
Johnny 5 is alive!
The best Johnny 5 replica in the world, come and meet the friendly Robot himself from the classic 1986 film Short Circuit.
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IPMS Middleton Cheney Model Club Display
Displaying a range of pop culture models and more, this friendly model club is always fun to have at Thames Con.
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Charity Dalek Squad
Enjoy 'An Audience with the Daleks' and meet me them for a photo!
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Jim Crawley's Creature shop
Jim Crawley will be bringing some more of his wonderful creatures and doing live creature making demos!
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Games
Test new Board games, play board games and retro video games!
