Showing posts with label Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reviews. Show all posts

Sunday, July 17, 2022

REVIEW: The War Master - Killing Time

Released August 2021

Available from https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/the-war-master-killing-time-2225


The Doctor, when confronting the master in The Deadly Assassin says to the Master “You would delay an execution to pull the wings off a fly”. In this box set we see what activities the Master does get up to while just killing time. And it is far more cruel, and equally as unnecessary, as pulling the wings off a fly.

 

Shout out to Rob Harvey. He has composed the most effective scores for The Orphan in The War Master Box set “Killing Time” used for a very long time. The power of the piano, leitmotifs and minor chords is palpable. Although not intrusive, the music acts as a third character driving the emotion.

 

Musical score by is one of the emotive created for a long time. Particularly in The Orphan. The use of piano chords adds to the loneliness and seclusion.


Philip Edney

Sunday, July 10, 2022

REVIEW: Doctor Who - After The Daleks by Roland Moore


Released August 2021

Available from https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/doctor-who-after-the-daleks-2229


It has been debated over the years whether the Daleks are truly the most evil creatures in the galaxy or could it be that the humans who seek to use the Daleks to subjugate their other humans are far more evil?


This issue is examined in part in the engaging script “After the Daleks” by Roland Moore. 


This story follows the aftermath of The Daleks Invasion of Earth. The Doctor in a romantic but nevertheless foolhardy action has deserted his granddaughter on a war-ravaged Earth with absolutely nothing, not even a pair of shoes. 


Susan is forced to make the best of the situation and does at least have the beginning of a love match. But before that can blossom there is going to be a fight for survival. Can those that have survived the Daleks survive without technology? Can they learn to grow and harvest food to feed the masses? Can they re-establish a form of government that can fairly rule the people?


It is this political intrigue that forms the backbone to this story and Susan, at first unwilling, must step up into leadership roles or allow another, with the backing of a Dalek, to rule the planet. 


Carole Ann Ford is excellent in this story bringing the youth, joy and fun of Susan and slowly developing the strength required to lead a planet. More Susan please! And it is lovely having  Sean Biggerstaff as David. We are use to Sean whopping up the comedy in the Jenny series but here he shows what a serious actor he can be. The rest of the ensemble are equally excellent bringing a real sense of threat and danger to the story. Lisa Bowerman as director doesn’t hold back any punches as she lets the darkness of the script bleed through. 


After the Daleks is very “Survivors” in feel and I think Terry Nation would have been proud of the coming together in tone of his two shows. 


One thing is certain. The early adventures have gone from strength to strength and really allow original cast members to show what great actor they are and what their character could have been. 


A must listen!


Philip Edney


Sunday, July 3, 2022

REVIEW: Doctor Who - The Secrets of Det-Sen by Andy Frankham-Allen


Released August 2021

Available from https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/doctor-who-the-secrets-of-det-sen-2230


One of the great joys of the Early Adventures is hearing the original cast in all their glory. Peter Purves was just honoured during the Queens platinum celebration for his years of service and in this story we see how much he deserved that honour and how talented he still is. 


A story contrivance in the second Doctor story “The Abominable Snowman” is the Doctor needed to return a holy relic to the monastery at Det-Sen which he had taken years earlier for its protection. That unknown adventure is brought to life by Big Finish in this prequel. 


Writer, Andy Frankham-Allen is the creative director for the Haisman Estate who own the rights to the Great Intelligence and the Brigadier. Although his name appears in the production credits of a number of shows he has only written a couple of previous stories. But that doesn’t mean that this story isn’t terrific. 


We might have expected a high octane action adventure, and although there is action, this is far more of a character piece. Actor Lauren Cornelius is first introduced to us as the recast Dodo and what a  splendid job she does. Dodo has been a bit maligned in fan history but there is nothing weak about this characterisation. Lauren plays beautifully off both Peter Purves’ Stephen and his charming Doctor. Although a small cast, everyone is performing great work and there

Is a real intimacy amongst the characters. 


Director Lisa Bowerman as always gets the best from the cast and once again she uses the rhythm of speech to drive the action. 


Most of the Abominable Snowman is missing presumed destroyed. But The Secrets of Det-Sen goes a little way towards reopening a part of the world that has been lost. It does it through great atmosphere and fun story telling. 


Philip Edney


Sunday, June 26, 2022

REVIEW: The Worlds of Blake's 7 - Avalon Volume 2


Released June 2021

Available from https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/avalon-volume-02-2473


The worlds of Blake’s 7 have captured the tone of the original show while delving more deeply into characters old and new. It is sometimes difficult to tell who are the heroes and who are the villains. 


Olivia Poulet has re-created a character in Avalon, who we want to follow despite the morally ambiguity she displays. Her interactions with Colin Baker’s Bayban and Stephen Greif’s Travis are wonderful. More adventures for Avalon please. 


Tuesday, June 21, 2022

REVIEW: Sherlock Holmes - The Seamstress of Peckham Rye by Jonathan Barnes


Released July 2021

Available from https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/sherlock-holmes-the-seamstress-of-peckham-rye-2496


The Sherlock Holmes series keeps going from strength to strength and the only disappointment is how few stories are released each year. 


Jonathan Barnes has proven himself to be the master detective writer as each new story he has written is more inventive and captivating than the previous one. The twists you never see coming even when signposted for you - and the character keep surprising you with their actions. 


The support cast are exceptional and a who’s who of Big Finish. Lucy Briggs-Owen, Mark Elstob, India Fisher, James Joyce, Angela MacKintosh and Glen McCready. Together they have appeared in hundreds of stories and always rise to the occasion. 


As always, however, kudos must be given to Nicholas Briggs and Richard Earl. They for me are now the definitive Holmes and Watson and everyone else is just a lesser copy. The angst and quiet desperation of Holmes is beautifully played and Watson rises to new heights as a man in love and defender of virtue. 


Sound design by Benji Clifford is faultless and displays his high level of care and pedantry in all that he does and music by Jamie Robertson creates mood across the story. 


As the winner of the 2022 Audie for excellence in performance, production and content there is little more that needs to be said. This has been judged the best audio of the year against every other release. So if you haven’t been swept away to Peckham Rye yet, what are you waiting for?


Philip Edney


Thursday, April 7, 2022

102. Review - Mind of the Hodiac | Interview: SIMON FISHER-BECKER


In this episode we discuss the place of personal politics in our podcast. 

We review the Russell T. Davies penned Doctor Who: Mind of the Hodiac, available from Big Finish Productions. https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/doctor-who-mind-of-the-hodiac-2483

We chat with actor Simon Fisher-Becker about his career, his books and his portrayal of Dorium Maldovar in Doctor Who on TV and audio. For more information about Simon visit his website - https://www.fisherbecker.com/


Philip recommends UNIT: Nemesis - Agents of the Vulpreen - https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/unit-nemesis-2-agents-of-the-vulpreen-2438

Dwayne recommends The Eleventh Doctor Chronicles Volume One - https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/doctor-who-the-doctor-chronicles-the-eleventh-doctor-volume-01-1630

Dwayne also recommends Omega: Audio Drama starring Brian Blessed - https://www.cutawaycomics.co.uk/publications/omega-vengeance



Theme music by The Jackpot Golden Boys | http://www.jackpotgoldenboys.com/


Email: sirensofaudio@gmail.com

Website: https://www.sirensofaudio.com/

Audio Feedback: https://anchor.fm/sirensofaudio

Twitter: http://twitter.com/audiosirens

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/audiosirens/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/audiosirens

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrU3MLlOeJTLnAbLl35QgeQ


Clips and music are copyright BBC and Big Finish. No infringement is intended.

Thursday, March 31, 2022

101. The Fourth Doctor Solo Adventures



Kenny is on the team again this time as we examine Doctor Who - The Fourth Doctor Adventures - Season 11 - Solo. The two stories in the boxset are Blood of the Time Lords by Timothy X Atack and The Ravencliff Witch by David Llewellyn. - https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/doctor-who-the-fourth-doctor-adventures-series-11-solo-2100

Not only do we have Nerys Hughes in her first appearance as new character Margaret Hopwood, we have the final appearance of James Dreyfus as The Master. 

We have a lot to say. 



Philip recommends 42 To Doomsday (Podcast) - https://42todoomsday.wordpress.com/

Dwayne recommends Disgusted, Mary Whitehouse (BBC Radio 4 Documentary) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0015411

Kenny recommends The Doctor Who Show (podcast) - http://thedwshow.net/

Hear Kenny's recent interview with Paul McGann on the Pieces of Eighth Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/3-5-paul-mcgann/id1568889213?i=1000555164638


Theme music by The Jackpot Golden Boys | http://www.jackpotgoldenboys.com/


Artwork by Ryan Aplin - https://twitter.com/iamryanaplin


Email: sirensofaudio@gmail.com

Website: https://www.sirensofaudio.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/audiosirens

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/audiosirens/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/audiosirens

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrU3MLlOeJTLnAbLl35QgeQ


Clips and music are copyright BBC and Big Finish. No infringement is intended.

Thursday, March 17, 2022

99. Randomoid Reviews - Cloud of Fear and Memory Lane



This episode of "We've Got Randomoids" sees us reviewing two stories selected by our listeners and drawn randomly from the Tardis Cookie Jar. Those stories are:

Doctor Who: Cloud of Fear from Audio Visuals - http://www.justyce.org/av05a-frame.html

Doctor Who: Memory Lane from Big Finish - https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/doctor-who-memory-lane-254


We also recommend the following releases:

Torchwood: Cadoc Point - https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/torchwood-cadoc-point-2412

Beyond The Doctor: London, 1965 - https://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Who-London-1965-Beyond/dp/B08M45ZWBB


Let us know which audio adventure you would like us to review by contacting us via one of the options below. 



Theme music by The Jackpot Golden Boys | http://www.jackpotgoldenboys.com/


Email: sirensofaudio@gmail.com

Website: https://www.sirensofaudio.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/audiosirens

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/audiosirens/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/audiosirens

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrU3MLlOeJTLnAbLl35QgeQ


Clips and music are copyright BBC and Big Finish. No infringement is intended.

Thursday, November 18, 2021

83. Sapphire & Steel Review - Daisy Chain by Joseph Lidster and Remember Me by John Dorney

Listen and Watch on Spotify


Watch on YouTube


Randomoids is back! This time we review two stories from a range you the listener voted for, Sapphire & Steel, starring David Warner and Susannah Harker. 

We look at Daisy Chain by Joseph Lidster and Remember Me by John Dorney. 

Plus, we reveal the next 2 stories to review for "We've Got Randomoids". 

What do YOU think of Sapphire & Steel, either the TV series or the audios? Drop us a line on our socials or a comment on our YouTube channel. 


Theme music by The Jackpot Golden Boys | http://www.jackpotgoldenboys.com/

Email: sirensofaudio@gmail.com

Website: https://www.sirensofaudio.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/audiosirens

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/audiosirens

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrU3MLlOeJTLnAbLl35QgeQ


Clips and music are copyright BBC and Big Finish. No infringement is intended.

Thursday, October 21, 2021

79. Russell T. Davies on Audio - Damaged Goods


We review the Big Finish novel adaptation of Russell T. Davies 1996 Doctor Who Virgin New Adventures novel "Damaged Goods". 

Plus, we take a trip down the rabbit hole and make our usual audio recommendations. 


Philip recommends Pieces of Eighth (An exceptional "British" podcast)

Dwayne recommends Sapphire and Steel - Remember Me by John Dorney and Daisy Chain by Joseph Lidster. 



Theme music by The Jackpot Golden Boys | http://www.jackpotgoldenboys.com/

Email: sirensofaudio@gmail.com

Website: https://www.sirensofaudio.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/audiosirens

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sirensofaudio


Clips and music are copyright BBC and Big Finish. No infringement is intended.

Thursday, June 24, 2021

63. Jago & Litefoot 8 | Randomoids IV - The Phantom Selectortron plus Big Finish From The Beginning Ep. 2

It's that time of the month again where we dive into some stories that the Big Finish Randomoid Selectortron selected for us. This time it's Jago & Litefoot Series 8

We'll also have a chat about some of the latest Big Finish releases from May and June 2021. 

Plus, as an introduction to this episode, we share episode 2 of our new flashcast, Big Finish From The Beginning, with Rob from The Doctor Who Show. 

We end with our latest audio recommendations. 

Next time.... Katy Manning is our special guest.

The Sirens of Audio on YouTube

Theme music by The Jackpot Golden Boys

Email: sirensofaudio@gmail.com

Website: sirensofaudio.com

Twitter: @AudioSirens

Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/sirensofaudio/

Clips and music are copyright BBC and Big Finish. No infringement is intended.

Thursday, June 3, 2021

60. SADIE MILLER - The Return of Sarah Jane Smith

Our special guest is Sadie Miller, who is now recreating the character of Sarah Jane Smith for Big Finish. Sadie speaks about growing up with two actors for parents, her career so far and how she has come to be cast in the role made famous and universally loved by her late mother, Elisabeth Sladen. 

In a change for the podcast, Philip and Dwayne's latest journey down the rabbit hole see them speaking about some of their guilty pleasures when it comes to the TV series. 

Recommendations

Philip recommends Dalek by Robert Shearman read by Nicholas Briggs (Audiobook)

Dwayne recommends The Doomsday Contract by John Lloyd adapted by Nev Fountain (Big Finish Lost Stories)


Dwayne Bunney on Twitter

The Sirens of Audio on YouTube

Theme music by The Jackpot Golden Boys

Email: sirensofaudio@gmail.com

Website: sirensofaudio.com

Twitter: @AudioSirens

Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/sirensofaudio/

Clips and music are copyright BBC and Big Finish. No infringement is intended.

Thursday, May 27, 2021

REVIEW | The Spectre of Lanyon Moor - Ranked "2" in Radio Times Top 5 Colin Baker Audio Stories

 The Spectre of Lanyon Moore by Nicholas Pegg

Directed by Nicholas Pegg

Music and Sound Design by Alistair Lock

Recorded February 2000. Released June 2000.

Starring Colin Baker and Maggie Stables

Guest Starring Nicholas Courtney, James Bolam, Barnaby Edwards, Helen Goldwyn, Susan Jameson, Toby Longworth, Nicholas Pegg



There is something quintessentially Doctor Who when it comes to creepy English villages, mystical powers and dark forces from the dawn of time. The Spectre of Lanyon Moor pulls out every trick in the Doctor Who book but does it so well you can hardly notice its homage to many, many previous Doctor Who shows.

It is clear that Nicholas Pegg is a fan of the show and he dips into so many moments from the past but combines them in such a way that you can’t but smile. Alien creature trapped on earth in opening minutes from City of Death. Strange goings on at an ancient burial site from Daemons. Creepy aristocracy member with library from Terror of the Zygons. Alien menace in the dark from Image of the Fendahl. English village from everywhere. And even an ending that crosses between Battlefield hero moment and the final scenes from Death to the Daleks. And every character except the Doctor and companions dead by the final scene like Pyramid of Mars, Horror of Rock and others. 

One of joys of the story is the first proper meeting between the sixth Doctor and the Brigadier. Although this in part should have been a momentous thing it is actually played right down and the two of them just get on easily from the beginning. It is such a natural meeting with open trust from the beginning that it would be easy to forget that this is a new partnership. 

Nicholas Courtney returns for the first time as the Brigadier for Big Finish and he falls into the role immediately. Like putting on a pair of comfortable shoes, Courtney is in straight back into the role and grabbing all the best lines. His nonchalant approach to the Doctor throws the Doctor slightly which is so charming to hear. His connection with Evelyn is also charming.

Maggie Stables is once again superb as Doctor Evelyn Smythe. In only her second appearance you can see what a perfect foil for the Doctor Evelyn is. Although its hard for her to be running down corridors she won’t be ignored, is given important work to do and can do a good smash and escape when needed. Colin and Maggie play off each other brilliantly and every scene they do together is a joy.

Colin continues to shine and is really the perfect Doctor. The great tragedy is he was never given stories like this to do, words like this to say and scenes like this to play in the TV series. Colin’s Doctor is compassionate, wise, righteously angry, moral, just, with a great sense of playfulness and concern for his friends. Had Colin received this level of writing and care during his TV run, there is a chance he could have been the longest serving Doctor.

The rest of the cast are excellent as well. Susan Jameson makes a great villain who goes from crazy dog owner, to just crazy to crazy dogs food. James Bolam starts being very trustworthy and yet slowly things change. And nice to hear Helen Goldwyn making her Big Finish debut playing a number of roles that would have been nothing in themselves but Helen gives all of her characters real depth, even if they only have a scene or two.

There is much, much more I could wax lyrical about this story but suffice to say it deserved to be in the top 5 of the Radio Times Poll and is well worth a listen.


Philip Edney


Monday, May 24, 2021

REVIEW | The Juggernauts - Ranked "3" in Radio Times Top 5 Colin Baker Audio Stories

 The Juggernauts by Scott Alan Woodard


Directed by Gary Russell

Music and Sound Design by Steve Foxon


Recorded April 2004. Released February 2005.


Starring Colin Baker and Bonnie Langford


Guest Starring Terry Molloy, Nicholas Briggs, Peter Forbes, Paul Grunert, Julia Houghton, Bindya Solanki, Klaus White


Third place in the Radio Times poll is another Dalek story. As with the Davison top 5 two Dalek stories make the top 5 with Colin Baker, continuing to show that the Daleks have not lost any popularity with the general public.  

The Juggernauts was written by American writer Scott Alan Woodard who accepted the commission from Gary Russell with a huge shopping list – Colin, Bonnie, Davros, Daleks and Mechanoids. But even with this huge list, the story effortlessly combines all these iconic figures. And who wouldn’t want to play in that sandpit?

Although the plot does retread some familiar themes from some televised stories, this allows the audience to pick up quickly on cues and also allows the plot to move more swiftly. There are enough twists to keep engaging the listener and some stellar performances.

The Juggernauts well demonstrates the vision John Nathan-Turner had when he developed the character of Melanie Bush to become the 6th Doctor’s companion. This is only their second play together but the characters just spark and show a great deal of emotional intelligence with each other – even though they are separated for a large part of the story. Colin and Bonnie both show how talented they are having very strong scenes with the guest cast, showing a real depth they weren’t able to show on television. It is both great to see and sad to realise what could have been and what a lost  opportunity there was when Colin was removed. Together Colin’s Doctor is kinder and more considerate and Melanie is wiser and more independent. She is certainly not the screamer she was made into on TV.

Terry Molloy is a joy to have back behind the microphone. His first visit to Big Finish was also playing opposite Colin in the excellent story Davros. In that story they demonstrated what a powerful double act they were that is repeated well in Juggernauts. His initial scenes with Bonnie, which are friendly and jovial, before she discovers who he is, show just how talented he is as a voice artist. The fact that we can like him so much and then turn it so we hate him is very powerful. With every Davros story you are waiting for the one on one scene between Davros and the Doctor and Juggernaut does not disappoint. This confrontation is powerful as would be expected, but ultimately it is Melanie who wins out.

As always Nicholas Briggs does an excellent job with the Daleks, though his range is stretched by also performing the mechanoids. Props also to sound designer, Steve Foxon would have played a very large role in realising the mechanoid voices. But no amount of sound design can work without the prowess of the actor bringing the required performance.

The Juggernauts explores some deep themes of loss, love and the right to survive. It has suspense, action and a bit of horror. All up it is a great story to listen to.


Philip Edney

Sunday, May 23, 2021

REVIEW | Static - Ranked "4" in Radio Times Top 5 Colin Baker Audio Stories

 Static by Jonathan Morris


Directed by Jamie Anderson

Music by Joe Kraemer

Sound Design by Joe Kraemer and Josh Arakellan

Script Editing by Alan Barnes


Recorded June 2017. Released December 2017.


Starring Colin Baker, Miranda Raison and Lisa Greenwood

Guest Starring Scott Chambers, Chris Dale, David Graham, Pippa Nixon, Brian Protheroe and Jo Woodcock



The most recently released story of the Colin Baker top 5 is Static by Jonathan Morris. Released three and a half years ago, it is a scary tale of dead bodies that go bump in the night and the mist and the voices the lurk in the static. It is a story that spans decades and yet takes place all at the same time. It’s a look at what would happen if you could bring back the dead.

Jonathan Morris is certainly one of Big Finish’s most prolific writers. With over one hundred stories in his catalogue spanning all the way back to Bloodtide, his stories have been inventive and diverse. He has written across every Big Finish range, for every Doctor and for many different pairings of Doctor and Companion. He has written a number of successful Colin Baker stories, especially with Flip. Many of his stories can show a dark sense of humour or like this story, create fear in uncertainty. He manages to twist something that we all experience every day - static - and make it an object of fear – the place where the enemy lurks.

Static is a more modern tale than the other stories in the top 5 and so Baker is equally supported in the story telling by Miranda Raison and Lisa Greenwood his two companions Mrs Constance Clarke and Flip. Although the Doctor has greater knowledge than his companions, he is very much equal with them in terms of narrative and key moments in the story. This does not make Bakers acting any less and he has some very powerful scenes in the last episode as he decides he is not going to allow what has happened continue to be. He also makes some morally questionable decisions and perhaps justifies them a bit too easily.

Flip is the easy to relate to character in the piece. She quickly befriends the other young members of the story and through her we see the backstory to what is occurring. We feel the sympathy for the situation that she feels but also her suspicion and distrust. Lisa Greenwood creates a very relaxed character in Flip which is in contrast to when she first began as a companion as she took a while to define who she was. But over the years, and particularly with her friendship with Constance, the character has begun to shine and from an initially spiky surface is now the heart and warmth of the crew.

Constance continues to be a rock in all situations. Her loyalty to the Doctor is unquestionable, being willing to die to achieve what he asks. As she and the Doctor return in time and into a Second World War setting, she is able to bring to the fore all her knowledge of protocol and behaviour to assist the Doctor to achieve his outcomes. Miranda Raison is an amazing actress and a stunning coup for Big Finish to get to work for them. It is to her credit that a character who could played by others come across as cold is someone we learn to care deeply about.

Jamie Anderson has pulled together a strong cast to play all the supporting roles. Voices are both modern for the recent times but also the correct RP for back during war times. David and Pippa make a convincing couple that are obviously struggling through grief. And Pippa and Jo make a strong sisterly connection. Scott Chambers is excellent in his role creating both fear and compassion depending on the circumstance.

Ultimately, Static is such an effective story because it blindsides the audience in the final episode. From the direction it appeared to be going for most of the story is suddenly veers left and heads you in a very different direction. It is only the fast thinking of the Doctor that saves the day – which is as it is meant to be.

Static would not have been in my list of the top 5 Colin Baker stories, but it has been good to go back and listen again and realise it is indeed a very worth while candidate due to its complexity, its ability to raise emotions and its use of time. If you are after a creepy story and a time old mystery, Static is a great place to start.


Philip Edney

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

REVIEW | The Mutant Phase - Ranked "1" in Radio Times Top 5 Davison Audio Stories

The Mutant Phase by Nicholas Briggs


Directed by Nicholas Briggs

Music and Sound Design by Nicholas Briggs 


Recorded September 2000.  Released December 2000.


Starring Peter Davison and Sarah Sutton


Guest Starring Christopher Blake, Nicholas Briggs, Mark Gatiss, Alistair Lock, Jared Morgan, Andrew Ryan, Sarah Wakefield



And so finally we come to the winning audio of the Radio Times Poll for the 5th Doctor. This is the audio that beat all other Peter Davison stories to be crowned at number 1. For many people, this seemed like a bit of a strange choice. For Big Finish fans, received wisdom is that Spare Parts is the number one story. But this poll was much broader in scope and reached a lot more people than just the Big Finish fans.  So what is it about The Mutant Phase that led to it winning the number one spot?


Firstly, and most importantly, it is a terrific story. Nicholas Briggs has pulled out all the stops for this adventure and flips the listener backwards and forwards in time using various means. The characters are well drawn and there is a great twist with one of the characters which although flagged for the listener the complications that happen for him towards the end are both serious and comical.


The second reason this audio is a hit is it is the Daleks. This is only the third Dalek story that was produced by Big Finish and it was the first story to feature Peter Davison. It is also the first time that Nyssa encounters the Daleks so there is a lot of interest as she discovers how ruthless they can be. And although this is an original Dalek story it is also a prequel to The Dalek Invasion of Earth. So here we have Daleks who are yet to encounter the Doctor or the TARDIS and know nothing of the threat the Doctor can be. This creates a bit of nostalgia for the lover of the television show.


Another reason why this is brilliant is Nicholas Briggs. No one has greater passion or love for the Daleks than Nick and that shines forth in this production. And all the more so because the stamp of Briggs is on every part of the story. As writer, director, composer, sound designer, is there nothing this man can’t do? So, for some fans who get jealous this can be a drawback. For people who love one powerful vision driving through a story that is what they get here. The music cues are very Briggsy as are a lot of the plotting themes that come up. But the reality is that they work and you can see the embryo forming that indicates where a lot of Nick's writing will develop from this point.


Ultimately, this story won the poll because of Peter Davison. People were voting on the best Davison story and what has happened is people have voted on the best Davision. In this performance we see a master class in acting. Davison nails every emotion, every bit of timing, every joke perfectly. He uses silence powerfully so that we can feel the confusion in the Doctor’s mind. He uses humour to unsettle and provoke. Confusion, trepidation and anger are also part of his vocabulary. This story allows Davison to shine across all levels of his acting ability.


The Mutant Phase is a great Doctor Who audio. It tells a fast pace story, across the lightyears and the centuries. It introduces us to a range of interesting characters and the Doctor and Nyssa work perfectly in sync. Well worth a re-listen to see why the majority of those voting in the poll chose this as number one.


Philip Edney

Sunday, May 16, 2021

REVIEW | Alien Heart / Dalek Soul - Ranked "2" in Radio Times Top 5 Davison Audio Stories

Alien Heart by Stephen Cole 

Dalek Soul by Guy Adams


Directed by Ken Bentley

Music and Sound Design by Richard Fox @ FoxYason Studios & Lauren Yason @ FoxYason Studios

Script Editor was Alan Barnes

Released April 2017

Starring Peter Davison and Sarah Sutton

Guest Starring Nicholas Briggs, Geoffrey Newland, Vineeta Rishi, Alex Tregear and Eve Webster



Number two in the Radio Times poll is not one but two stories from two very accomplished writers. Alien Heart/Dalek Soul are two separate and yet strongly linked tales that push the Doctor and Nyssa to new levels.

When Big Finish started producing audios I was very in line with fandom who felt that a Doctor Who story should be four episodes long with the three cliff hangers. Over the twenty or more years of listening though, the structure of what television and how story telling works have changed. The stories I enjoy most have become the 50 minute stories that are contained in the box sets, often with an overarching theme, in a style that more closely resembles the look and feel of the show since it came back in 2005.

On the whole the main range has maintained the original pattern of four episode adventures, though along the way there have been attempts at different forms of story telling. The three episode story with a one part story was trialed for a while. But here we have two, two episode stories and they work magnificently.

Alien Heart by Stephen Cole kicks off the set with a mystery. A range of planets have been destroyed and what is to become with the next in line. The Doctor and Nyssa arrive to try and work out what has happened. Separating the Doctor and companion is a staple of Doctor Who but never before has a companion been forced apart on the backs of thousands of stampeding spiders. Now on separate planets the Doctor and Nyssa must work apart to save a planet of people who know nothing of space travel.

Billed as two separate stories I was not expecting the appearance of the Daleks in the first story. On reflection, it should have been obvious that the race who would be destroying planets needed to be powerful but the clues were leading the audience to believe something different. Mind you the reasoning behind what was going on was even more unusual. Just as you feel the first story is wrapping up it takes a sudden left turn and ends with a cliff-hanger.

Dalek Soul by Guys Adams is brilliant! Not at all what is expected and is able to stretch the acting muscles of both Peter Davison and Sarah Sutton. Neither seem to be behaving as you would expect and as the story progresses the gulf between what you would expect and what is happening grows wider and wider. The final reveal is a wonderful twist. 

When I first listened to this story four years ago I remember that I enjoyed it. But with the output of Big Finish being so great this is the first time I have gone back to listen to it again and it really is brilliant. Had it been one of the early releases I probably would have heard it ten times by now like I have with many of those first 50 releases. And if I had done that I think it would have been embedded in my mind as one of the best stories. 

This set of two stories wouldn’t have been what I would have chosen as my Number 2 based on my memory. But having listened again I can see why it is appealing to others. Two tight, fast paced stories. A very dark and foreboding tale. Davison and Sutton acting their socks off and getting to play against type. Excellent direction by Ken Bentley with fabulous, loud sound design. And Daleks! What is it about the Daleks that appeal so much to people almost 60 years after their creation? Well whatever it is, it also helped the Number 1 story get over the line – but that’s for another review.


Philip Edney

Saturday, May 15, 2021

REVIEW | The Lady of Mercia - Ranked "3" in Radio Times Top 5 Davison Audio Stories

 The Lady of Merica by Paul Magrs


Directed by Ken Bentley

Music and Sound Design by Steve Foxon

Script Editor was Alan Barnes


Recorded January 2013. Released May 2013.


Starring Peter Davison, Janet Fielding, Mark Strickson and Sarah Sutton


Guest Starring Rachel Atkins, Kieran Bew, Stephen Critchlow, Catherine Grose, Anthony Howell and Abigail Thaw

 


Number three in the Radio Times poll and the second entry for writer Paul Magrs is The Lady of Mercia. Another historical story (kind of) it is certainly not the “pure” historical that The Peterloo Massacre was. Though as well as being similar in being a historical, it is also similar in terms of taking place in the North of England and also in exploring themes of social class and funding.


The Lady of Mercia is a story set in two time zones, though the time travel between the two is not the conventional one you might expect. The TARDIS crew landing at a university in the North in 1983 and pretend to be experts in the Middle Ages as they try and detect a time anomaly. This is created by a scientist who accidently sends Tegan and a colleague back in time. In typical historical romp they meet Queen Æthelfrid and her daughter Princess Ælfwynn and the Princess is then brought back to present time. But the Queen and Princess are due at York to maintain their power. Tegan has no choice but to take the role of Princess and become the Lady of Mercia.

  

The Lady of Mercia is not a complex story, in fact Sarah Sutton said she understood this one, which is a rare thing. But although simple it has a number of elements of suspense and action that allows characters to be developed and to shine. Though some of the romantic elements of the stories and the complexities within couples probably doesn’t have enough time to develop very realistically. 


Though there is coupling a plenty, the most interesting relationship, and the one that develops the deepest is between Tegan and Queen Æthelfrid. This mother / daughter relationship grows throughout the story and so there is genuine sadness and loss when history does what history does and one of these characters meet their preordained fate. This is an excellent performance by Rachel Atkins and would be the first of more than 25 that she would bring to Big Finish. Janet Fielding plays off her perfectly and together there is real truth in their story telling.


Peter Davison and Sarah Sutton pair up for most of the adventure and all the required technobabble plays back and forth very naturally between them. As always there is genuine warmth between these characters and you can see why Nyssa is Davison’s favourite companion for his Doctor. In Big Finish terms this is the old Nyssa who is travelling with Tegan and Turlough again many years after she left the crew after the events on Terminus. But for this story that timeline doesn’t really matter.


Mark Strickson is sadly without much to do. Turlough remains relatively fixed in 1983 not really willing to put himself at risk. He does get some nice scenes to play off Abigall Thaw as Professor Phillipa Stone but neither character is taken as far as they could have been.


A small but impressive impact is made by Stephen Critchlow making his second of over 35 performances. His regular returns as an actor can be understood as you hear him play two very different but distinct characters in the story.


Special mention should be made of both director, Ken Bentley and sound design and music by Steve Foxon. With all the flipping between middle ages and 1983, this could have been extremely confusing, but there is never any doubt at all where we are. Before we hear a character speak we know where the scene is set but the sound design. Sometimes this is very subtle but it always works. There are also some mighty big battles created as well.


Although I wouldn’t count the Lady of Mercia as a classic it does do all it sets out to do and does it very well. Its and entertaining yarn, well acted, heart warming and is pointing you to a very large historical figure that we probably don’t know very well. With an excellent cast and great direction it is well worth a listen and re-listen.


Philip Edney


Thursday, May 13, 2021

REVIEW | The Peterloo Massacre - Ranked "4" in Radio Times Top 5 Davison Audio Stories

The Peterloo Massacre by Paul Magrs


Directed by Jamie Anderson

Music and Sound Design by Nigel Fairs

Script Editor was Alan Barnes


Recorded July 2015. Released March 2016.


Starring Peter Davison, Janet Fielding and Sarah Sutton

Guest Starring Wayne Forester, Gerard Kearns, Philip Labey, Liz Morgan, Jayne Standing, Robbie Stevens 




Number four in the Radio Times poll at first glance seems an unusual story for so high a position. The Peterloo Massacre is a “pure” historical and places our heroes in a time and place of great danger, except no one really realises what is coming except the Doctor.

Aside from William Hartnell’s Doctor, no other regeneration has had the opportunity, nor fit the bill so well as to play historical stories, as Peter Davison. His charm and innocence lend itself well with blending into history and playing as small a role as possible. His was the first Doctor to get a historical to play on television with Black Orchid since The Highlanders. And never again on the TV show would there be an historical. His Doctor also had had other successful historicals at Big Finish such as Eye of the Scorpion, The Church and the Crown and the Council of Nicaea.

So what is a pure historical? In fan talk it is a story that features no science fiction elements at all – simply the TARDIS used as a device to deliver the Doctor and his companions to the scene and then not used again.

So why do historicals work so well? It’s all about inevitability. With a story set in the future the outcome is unknown. But when a story is grounded in history the events are going to unfold in a certain way and the conclusion can not be escaped.

The other reason that historicals work so well is that they give people a passion for history. Many a period of history has been studied because of Doctor Who. From the Aztecs, to Pompei,  the French Revolution, the Gunfight at the OK Coral to the history of Rosa Parkes.

The Peterloo Massacre in Manchester was something I knew nothing about. But after listening to this story I wanted to do some research and discovered what a major event it was. Paul Magrs has written a very tight script and managed to create from a handful of characters the many voices needed to represent the different points of view that caused the disaster. From the wealthy, the militia, the workers, the protesters. Conflict was inevitable. But the scale of the massacre was truly dreadful to ensure the power and the wealth of the rich.

Paul says of his own story, “It’s a story about terrible unfairness and social injustice. It’s about hope and bravery being trampled into nothing by greed and prejudice, snobbery and hatred. And it’s about how hope can survive such terrible events.”

Director Jamie Anderson has managed to pull together an exceptional cast with very different vocal qualities. In some ways their accents show what role they are destined to play in the approaching drama. Jayne Standing in particular does an excellent job of creating pathos and emotion in her one and only Big Finish outing to date.

The strength of the guest cast allows the regulars to truly shine. Peter Davison gives an outstanding performance. Enthusiastic at first leading to realisation and deep sadness. He knows that he can’t change history but you can hear in his performance the desire to stop the inevitable. Janet Fielding plays the brashness of Tegan to great effect. Her no nonsense character fits in well with the situation and her desire to not allow the course of history to run smooth is clear. Sarah plays the hope of Nyssa with great effect. Strength through gentleness abounds and she reflects that character of the Doctor perfectly. 

Although The Peterloo Massacre would not have occurred to me as being one of Davisons top 5 stories, on re-listen I can understand why so many people enjoy it. It shows social conscience, it allows Peter Davison to inhabit all the of best characteristics of the 5th Doctor, it teachers history, it has a huge action scene and it reminds us there can be a better way. What more could you ask of a Doctor Who story?


Philip Edney