Author: Parker

54321FAB!

Posted on by Parker

Thunderbirds and friends are coming to Worcester this summer

  • 54321FAB! arrives at Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum on 4th July and runs until until 6th September 2026
  • Exhibition includes original puppets, studio models, art and memorabilia
  • Includes family Action Station for hands-on fun
  • Free entry

54321 FAB! is an incredible display of original puppets, studio models, art and memorabilia from the much-loved 1960s TV shows of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson.  The exhibition arrives at Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum on 4th July and runs until 6 September 2026.

Visitors will revisit their childhood favourites including Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons, Joe 90, Stingrayand more, and will have an unprecedented opportunity to see screen-used original puppets from the shows.

Original puppets including Lady Penelope and Joe McClaine will be on display, having been painstakingly restored to their original condition as filmed in the 1960s. Other characters which no longer exist in their original form, such as the heroic International Rescue pilots, have been rebuilt from original moulds and materials to create new working replica puppets. The exhibition also features models of iconic vehicles such as Fireball XL5, Stingray and the Thunderbird craft.

Original comic and production design art will also be in the exhibition, whilst a huge collection of 1960s toys and memorabilia will be on show to take visitors on a FAB trip down memory lane.

Families can enjoy hands-on fun together at the WASP – Worcester Aquanaut Severn Patrol action station where they can create their own puppet show and dress up as characters from the TV shows.

A FAB programme of events celebrating the exhibition can also be enjoyed at the Art Gallery & Museum throughout the summer, including spotlight talks by Graham Bleathman, one of the country’s leading illustrators well known for his work on Gerry Anderson’s TV series including Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet and Stingray, and Marc Silk, the voice of Global Defence Force agent Captain Wayne Rigby in Thunderbirds Are Go as well as the voice of several guest characters in the show. Plus the popular Museum After Hours events return with a FAB theme.

Museums Worcestershire Senior Curator Deborah Fox comments: “We pride ourselves in providing top, family fun for the summer holidays and this year is a true classic where visitors can relive their childhood through Thunderbirds and friends, and share their memories with their families. We might even inspire some new fans!”

The exhibition has been made possible with the support of Fanderson, The Official Gerry And Sylvia Anderson Appreciation Society.

Check out www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk and our social media channels for up-to-date news and information on the exhibition and a fun FAB-themed programme of events and activities.

This year’s Worcester Show is also following the 60s theme, so prepare for a day of family fun, entertainment, food and community competitions when the Worcester Show is back at Pitchcroft on Sunday 9 August. Find out more at www.worcestershow.org.uk.

 

Thursday 2 July, 11am photo / interview opportunity, Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum

There will be a photo opportunity with Captain Scarlet (Chris Daniels). There will be an interview opportunity with Marc Silk, the voice of Global Defence Force agent Captain Wayne Rigby in Thunderbirds Are Go as well as the voice of several guest characters in the show. Please confirm your attendance with Helen.Large@worcester.gov.uk

 

Exhibition Details:
54321FAB!

Saturday 4th July – Saturday 6th September 2026 | Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum, Foregate Street, Worcester, WR1 1DT (www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk). Free entry to the exhibition, donations welcome

  • Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 4pm,
  • Sunday 10am – 3pm

FAB events and activities:

Talks and Events

Family Fun!

 

Some images from 2024’s 54321 FAB! The Art Of Supermarionation exhibition:

NEW: UFO Special Effects brochure

Posted on by Parker

Alan Shubrook brochure now available to buy

As a special memento of his appearance at the Project Johnson UFO event, Alan Shubrook designed and produced this exclusive 20-page brochure. The brochure is full of photos from Alan’s personal collection and a limited stock is now available to members who were unable to be at the event.

Just go to the Fanderson Sales page to see full details and place your order.

NEW: Journey Through The Black Sun soundtrack

Posted on by Parker

Super Space Theater soundtrack available now!

The sixth title in Fanderson’s exclusive series of soundtracks to the Super Space Theater compilation movies is now available. Journey Through The Black Sun combines the Space:1999 episodes Black Sun and Collision Course, with additional music from Fireball XL5, Stingray, Thunderbirds , Captain Scarlet, Joe 90, The Secret Service and UFO.

As an introductory offer, buy Journey Through The Black Sun and get 50% off either our Space:1999 tea towel, Space:1999 Year Two picture cards set or Super Space Theater book and cover art prints (or all three!) as long as you buy them all together. Just put all the items in your basket and apply the coupon code Atheria before you pay.

OFFER TERMS AND CONDITIONS (in addition to our standing Ts&Cs)

  • This offer is for Fanderson members only.
  • Members must buy the soundtrack and other products detailed in the same transaction.
  • Apply the coupon code(s) before you pay to get the discount. You can use more than one code in the same transaction
  • Members must apply the coupon code themselves to get the discount. It cannot be applied after you have paid, and we cannot apply it retroactively.
  • This is an online-only offer. It cannot be redeemed via the post.
  • Offer ends 30th June 2026

Spotlight Talks as part of 54321 FAB! The Future Was Fantastic!

Posted on by Parker

Join two special guests for Spotlight Talks as part of 54321 FAB! The Future Was Fantastic!

As part of their upcoming exhibition 54321 FAB! The Future Was Fantastic!, Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum has announced two Spotlight Talks with special guests.

On Saturday 18th July 2026, Graham Bleathman, one of the country’s leading illustrators, will be talking about his work featuring scenes from Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons and Stingray. Graham is best known for producing cross-section, ‘cutaway’ illustrations of spacecraft, vehicles and locations from these shows, as well as Dan Dare and Wallace & Gromit. He started illustrating for fan magazines in the 1980s, and since then has his illustrations have appeared in a number of books, magazines and comics. Graham’s other work includes historical subjects, alongside production art on animated releases of Doctor Who and Dad’s Army episodes.

A master of the technical illustration, join Graham for a fascinating insight as he talks about his experiences working on these amazing projects and his fantastic new work Worcester: 2066, specially commissioned for our summer exhibition!

Graham’s talk will be 11:00-12:00. It will be followed by a meet and greet with Graham in the exhibition, where he will be autographing, sketching and meeting fans.

On Saturdays 1st and 29th August 2026, renowned British voice actor Marc Silk will talk about his voicing numerous characters in cartoons, games and films. Marc specialises in character creation and performance across all media, bringing some of the world’s most celebrated characters and stories to life.

Marc was the voice of Global Defence Force agent Captain Wayne Rigby in Thunderbirds Are Go as well as the voice of several guest characters in the show. Best known for his roles as Aks Moe in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Bob in the US dub Bob The Builder and Nero in Danger Mouse, Marc has collaborated with a vast array of major entertainment and gaming studios over his 30-year career. These include Lucasfilm, BBC, Cartoon Network and Warner Bros.

He’ll take you on a journey through his fascinating career, with a plethora of anecdotes as we meet the voices of our comic heroes.

Marc’s talk will be 11:00-12:00. The talk will be followed by a meet and greet with Marc in the exhibition, where he will be signing autographs and meeting fans.

The Spotlight Talks are £10 each, though there’s free entry to the exhibition.

[UPDATED] The Last Sunset Space:1999 convention, Manchester, 2026

Posted on by Parker

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s Space:1999

The team behind the Destination: Moonbase Alpha virtual events in 2021 and 2022, as well as live events in Calgary (2023), London (2024) and Los Angeles (2025) are hosting this historic event – Manchester: 1999 – which will include an incredible array of your favourite celebrities, writers, producers, directors, visual effects wizards, and key behind-the-scenes personnel. They’ll have a wide variety of programming to enjoy, with recollections of working on the series from your favourite celebrities, plus autographs and photo-ops that’ll create lasting memories!

The convention hotel is the Holiday Inn, Oldham, and the organisers have arranged a discounted room rate, but space is limited!

Nick Tate is already on board to appear, and the guest list will grow over the coming months. In the past they’ve hosted Barbara Bain, Prentis Hancock, Catherine Schell, Anton Phillips, John Hug, Jess Conrad, Yasuko Nagazumi, Brian Johnson, Martin Bower, Suzanne Peterson, Quentin Pierre, Carla Romanelli, Gianni Garko, and Orso Maria Guerrini, Carolyn Seymour, Karl Held, Kathryn Leigh Scott, Ina Skriver, Pam Rose, Loftus Burton, Jack McKenzie, Paul Weston, Nick Brimble, Julian Glover, Isla Blair, Director Peter Medak from Space:1999, and Gerry and Sylvia’s daughter Dee Anderson.

There will also be an amazing exhibit of original props, models, set-pieces and costumes in our exclusive screen-used props and museum area, world-premiere presentations, a dealers/vendor room, VIP access, charity auctions and a few other very special surprises you won’t want to miss! They’re also planning to visit famous filming locations used in other sci-fi franchises such as The Prisoner, a tour of some local film and recording studio and more!

Manchester: 1999 – A 50th Anniversary Celebration will proudly welcome fans and aficionados from around the world from 11th to 13th September, 2026 – hard to believe, but that’ll be exactly 50 years next September that Space:1999 premiered around the world!

Following a long tradition of charitable work in the name of Space:1999, the convention will be raising money for noble causes this year – continuing to support their previous charities: Alzheimer’s, in memory of Gerry Anderson, GOSH – The Great Ormond Street Hospital, in memory of Sylvia Anderson.

[UPDATED] More dates added for Growing Up With Thunderbirds – Gerry and Sylvia’s daughter Dee Anderson on tour

Posted on by Parker

Dee Anderson’s tour of the UK, sharing her memories of ‘growing up with Thunderbirds‘, continues with new dates announced!

As the daughter of Sylvia and Gerry Anderson, Dee Anderson, lived and breathed the magic of Thunderbirds and all the other Supermarionation programmes as a child. In this show, Dee presents a heartfelt tribute to the boundless imagination and thrilling adventures that defined a generation.

Gerry and Sylvia’s extraordinary legacy comes to life on stage like never before, inviting you into the world of a child who grew up with Thunderbirds. In her words “It was simply FAB!”

Dates/venues being added as confirmed and tickets become available:

Composer Barry Gray to be featured in The London Soundtrack Festival

Posted on by Parker

Composer Barry Gray to be featured in The London Soundtrack Festival

The London Soundtrack Festival celebrates London’s unique place at the heart of film, television and videogames music, the composers who write it and the unsung heroes who bring it to life.

An unmissable evening of great British film and tv music including a special celebration of the work of composer David Arnold with suites and themes from Independence Day, Tomorrow Never Dies, Casino Royale, Sherlock and Good Omens. Radio 3 Unwind’s Edith Bowman hosts this opening concert of the 2026 London Soundtrack Festival, performed by a hand-picked orchestra made up of the city’s world-class session players who you’ll have heard on countless film, TV and games scores, conducted by Ben Foster.

Suites and themes by David Arnold, Ron Goodwin, Dario Marianelli, Isobel Waller-Bridge, Daniel Pemberton, Miguel d’Oliveira, Alexandra Harwood, Ben Foster and Barry Gray and more to be announced.  

The London Soundtrack Festival is being sponsored by Silva Screen Records. The concert is on

Spring has sprung, and with it comes our spring mailing!

Posted on by Parker

Spring has sprung, and with it comes our spring mailing of FAB Annual 2026 and FAB Express issue 112!

As promised back in December, going in the post today is our spring mailing to all current Fanderson members.

Our new FAB Express editor Ross Ironfield’s first issue (112) takes a peek at Century 21 Toys marketing, club members FlashBack to Fireball XL5 Trial By Robot, read about the making of the club’s Super Space Theater soundtracks, our first new FAB Fans feature, as well as all your news, views and reviews.

The mailing also includes the much-anticipated FAB Annual 2026, delayed from November. This 100-page hardback book shines a light on Torchy, plus an exclusive 8-page Thunderbirds picture strip, the nostalgia kick of being in Another Time, Another Place, an examination of making Worlds In Miniature, UFO‘s Royal Navy connection, how Century 21 Toys promoted their Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons lines, a look at the work of the much-loved actor and voice artist David Healy, the full story behind comic hero Agent 21, the books of John Theydon, a look back to everything that was happening in AP Film’s heyday in FAB Diary 1966, plus Graham Bleathman’s cutaways of the TV21 Building and the President Roberts.

The mailing’s been sent to all current club members, and new members will also get it shortly in their welcome package along with issue 111.

And, whilst we’re here, a reminder that the offer on our brand new Thunderbirds In Outer Space soundtrack double-CD, and free Stingray EP when you buy our exclusive FAB Grooves double vinyl LP, run until the end of this month!

Free EP when you buy FAB Grooves

Posted on by Parker

Free Themes From Stingray EP when you buy FAB Grooves, whilst stocks last!

This translucent blue 7″ vinyl EP was produced by Silva Screen for Network, to accompany their 2022 Blu-ray Disc release of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s 1963 series Stingray.

Worth £20, we have a very limited number available as a FREE gift when you buy our exclusive FAB Grooves double vinyl LP.

Track Listing

  • Stingray Main Titles
  • Maritimus March
  • March Of The Oysters
  • Aqua Marina
  • Jazz From The WASPs

OFFER TERMS AND CONDITIONS (in addition to our standing Ts&Cs)

  • This offer is for Fanderson members only.
  • Members must buy FAB Grooves and Themes From Stingray EP in the same transaction.
  • Only one Themes From Stingray EP per member.
  • Themes From Stingray EP is only available as part of this offer and is not available to buy separately
  • Apply the coupon code FLOODQ before you pay to get the discount. You can use more than one code in the same transaction
  • Members must add the EP to their basket and apply the coupon code themselves to get the discount. It cannot be applied after you have paid, and we cannot apply it retroactively.
  • This is an online-only offer. It cannot be redeemed via the post.
  • Offer available whilst stocks last