167. JANET FIELDING Live In Sydney, 1st April 2023

In this special edition of the podcast we share the first interview with Janet Fielding at her live event with us in Sydney on 1st April, 2023.

Lots of talk about The Power of the Doctor and bringing the character of Tegan back to television after over 40 years.

Tickets to Katy Manning Live in Sydney and Melbourne in October 2023 are available from http://katymanning.sirensofaudio.com

Original theme composed by Joe Kraemer | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.joekraemer.com/about/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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166. HUGH ROSS - Counter-Measured

We speak with actor Hugh Ross about his career and his work for Big Finish, including one of our favourite regular roles of his, Sir Toby Kinsella of Counter-Measures.

Dwayne's wife Kelly will be pleased that even Outlander gets a good mention.

Also included in this episode is our regular rabbit hole topic and recommendations.

Tickets to Katy Manning Live in Sydney and Melbourne in October 2023 are available from http://katymanning.sirensofaudio.com

Original theme composed by Joe Kraemer | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.joekraemer.com/about/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Clips and music are copyright BBC and Big Finish and are used for review purposes only. No infringement is intended.

165. JONATHAN MORRIS - Cobwebs and Death and the Queen - Randomoids 23

We take a look at two randomly picked Doctor Who stories, Tenth Doctor and Donna adventure, Death and the Queen, and the very first outing for Janet Fielding as a regular companion in the fifth Doctor story, Cobwebs.

As a special treat we are joined by writer of Cobwebs, Jonathan Morris.

Original theme composed by Joe Kraemer | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.joekraemer.com/about/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Clips and music are copyright BBC and Big Finish and are used for review purposes only. No infringement is intended.

REVIEW | The World's of Blake's 7 - Heroes and Villains

This sixth box set in the Worlds of Blakes 7 has grabbed three villains from the television programme and given them all a prequal performance. The Amagon where a bit of a dud in a story that was a bit of a dud – Bounty. But Trevor Baxendale has written a story that is so much better than its source material. Jenna and Cally are both so much cleverer than they were on the tele and their strength of character really shines.

The Deal with Dorian by Mark B Oliver lets us have a look at Dorian before he met the crew after the destruction of the Liberator. The recast of Dorian by Matthew Grabelle necessitated by the early passing of the original actor has been so well done. Dorian is far more dangerous here – and we know what is coming.

And finally Andrew Smith shows his love of the show in a love letter, of sorts, to the torturer Shrinker who we only met briefly in Rumours of Death. Although he must wait for the TV story for the character to get his comeuppance this is a pretty good start. 

Sally Knyvette and Jan Chappell are both brilliant. They have recreated their characters with ease but also pushed beyond many of the limitations that the show placed on the as women of the ship. There is no doubt that they are more than capable of taking on any many – good or bad – and won’t be left behind to make the tea any longer.

Lisa Bowerman, as always, is an actors director and you can hear the dialogue sing through her notes. Unusually sound design and music is done by a different pair of hands for each story and due to the quirky way the website combines everything together in box sets (shame) it is hard to tell who did what on what. But Jamie Robertson, Benji Clifford and Alistair Lock are all so reliable and accomplished it doesn’t really matter that there isn’t one consistent sound designer and musician across each story. All the stories just work.

Blakes 7 is a joy and these sets continue to entertain and extend the universe. Long may they continue.

Philip Edney

REVIEW | Sherlock Holmes -The Fiends of New York by Jonathan Barnes

Sherlock Holmes: The Fiends of New York by Jonathan Barnes, is a gripping play that transports listeners to the world of London at the turn of the century. Once again, Jonathan has written a story worthy of the great Conan Doyle himself. The story is full of twists, shocks and great character moments. It is a carry on from The Seamstress of Peckham Rye.

The production values of this audio drama are top-notch. Benji Clifford has created a rich and immersive atmosphere, effectively capturing diverse settings such as the ambiance London streets, the bustle of the theatre and the intimacy of Baker Street. Scored by Jamie Robertson the music sets expectations, reveals emotions and embeds the story well into its time and place.

Nicholas Briggs delivers an exceptional performance as Sherlock Holmes. Holmes is older now but Briggs still is able to capture the character's eccentricity, deductive prowess, and unwavering determination. Richard Earl's portrayal of Dr. John Watson is equally praiseworthy, perfectly embodying the loyal companion and also husband with unwavering support and astute observations. The chemistry between the two lead actors is undeniable, and their dynamic brings the iconic detective duo to life.

All the cast are sensational from the evil Seamstress played by Juliet Aubrey and Watson’s wife with secrets, Lucy Briggs-Owen. Supported by a regular repertory of Big Finish actors in the likes of Timothy Bentinck, John Banks, Glen Macready and James Joyce (or is that Jez Fielder)

Ken Betley as always does a solid job as director. With so many scenes, such a large cast and so much essential plot to unfold it must have been a logistical nightmare plotting out the recording of this story, But as always, Ken pulls it all together. 

The Fiends of New York is an enthralling audio adventure that successfully captures the essence of the beloved detective's world.

Philip Edney

164. PAUL F. VERHOVEN - The Green Man

We are pleased to bring you our recent chat with Aussie author Paul F. Verhoven.

Paul penned the middle story in the most recent Big Finish boxset release from The Second Doctor Adventures.

"The Green Man" is Paul's first full length and full cast Doctor Who audio drama and we are sure this is the first of many to come!

Remember to grab your tickets to Katy Manning Live in either Sydney or Melbourne via http://katymanning.sirensofaudio.com

Original theme composed by Joe Kraemer | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.joekraemer.com/about/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Clips and music are copyright BBC and Big Finish and are used for review purposes only. No infringement is intended.