Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Review | Jekyll and Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, Adapted by Nicholas Briggs

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The first time the story of Jekyll and Hyde really got it's hooks into me were in the 1988 television series Jack The Ripper, starring Michael Caine. A play of the Stevenson classic featured in the series starring Armand Assante in the role of an American actor who could change his facial features mid-scene and in full view of the audience, to complete the transition from Jekyll to Hyde. I was utterly transfixed and terrified, and with my love of Victorian England already fuelled by such television as Doctor Who's The Talons of Weng-Chiang and Jeremy Brett's Sherlock Holmes, here was another story from an era that holds more mystique to me than almost any other. 

Most adaptations of the Stevenson story are very liberal in their story changes. The Jack The Ripper series had the Lanyon scene (with Lanyon coincidentally played by Weng-Chiang's Litefoot himself, Trevor Baxter) incorrectly showing Jekyll changing into Hyde when the story was the other way round, and the same company who made the series went on to make their own adaption of Jekyll and Hyde with Michael Caine in the tite role. That too had many elements that weren't in the original story and Caine's casting in itself was to say the least, interesting...

It was a great surprise to me to finally hear many years ago, an abridged reading by Tom Baker to discover how much I simply adored the language of Stevenson in the hands of an actor who was not only my hero, but had a voice that dripped both honey and menace, relished in equal measure by me. The simple music and sound effects added to this reading invoked so much horror that I wasn't able to listen to it at night.

So with my adoration of the source material and of Big Finish, a company who in my opinion deserve much more recognition of their non-Doctor Who output than they appear to receive, I was so very excited to discover towards the end of 2021 that an adaptation of Jekyll and Hyde was being released in 2022. But not until August! The wait has been painful, but the time has finally arrived for the release to see the light of day. 

One thing about the Big Finish Classics range I love is that they try very hard to stick as close to the source material as they can. I appreciated this in particular with their version of Frankenstein. What a difficult book this must have been to adapt closely. After all, it is basically a series of letters between people. Jekyll and Hyde is similar with a couple of major letters contained within, but it's not quite as correspondance heavy as Frankenstein. 

Knowing this version of Jekyll and Hyde had been adapted for the stage I assumed it would begin at the beginning with the conversation between Utterson and Enfield. However, I was surprised that it began at the death of Sir Danvers, an event that takes place quite a way into the original story, and then flashes back to that conversation. Initially I thought this was just trying to be original in it's own way, but beginning the story at this point was vital in properly introducing the "team" of the play, namely Utterson and Inspector Newcomen. There is a very good reason the Inspector is so heavily involved with the plot here as opposed to the book. But more of that later. 

I love the way the script has been adapted with dialogue lifted word for word from the original story. It's Stevenson's language and the way he has his characters communicate with each other that appeals to me, so to hear the words being perfomed verbatim, sometimes in ways I least expect, is both refreshing and deeply satisfying.

Director Nick Briggs has managed some dream casting here, with Barnaby Kay as Utterson, the solicitor torn between his moral duty to respect his client's legal rights and deep concern for his friend's physical and mental decline. August 2022 seems to be the month of Barnaby Kay at Big Finish, with him playing the lead in the audio version of U.F.O. and his first River Song script having been released too. 

What is it about Barnaby Edwards that makes him so suited to performing this era? Fantastic as always and such a theatrical persona, he is the perfect Enfield (plus other roles), recounting with horror his first meeting with Hyde yet courageously defending the honour of the family of the young girl assaulted by him. 

John Heffernen plays the dual title roles beautifully, particularly Hyde. Don't imagine you've heard or seen all the ways Hyde can be played. This one is unique and so utterly terrifying on audio. The first meeting with Enfield will stand your hair on end. 

Robert Portal is a constant presence as Inspector Newcomen and I found myself thinking on first listen that the inspector was a little more present than I remembered.... 

Some audio drama can have a tendancy to cast similar voices. That is not the case here. All are unique and very distinctive. None more so than Clare Corbett. Clare plays all the female roles here but none more noticable to me than Mrs Poole, a character who was male in the original story. I would like to hold this production up as an example of what I believe to be real authentic inclusion. 

When Morgan Freeman was asked by a virtuous reporter many years ago whether he felt that there would come a time that racism would no longer be an issue, Freeman replied, "Yes, when people like you stop talking about it." I totally agree.

This is exactly what Nick Briggs has done with Jekyll and Hyde. He has gender-swapped a role, but not for the sake of it. It's a role that could easily be performed by either gender and it doesn't alter the story at all. What I respect most of all, is that this has been done without any mention of it by the cast and crew in the extras or anywhere else. There's no self-congratulation. There's no virtue signalling. It's just been done, and done extremely well. Without any fuss or fanfare. To me, this is true inclusion.

You may be surprised by what I consider to be the most outstanding performance in this play. And that is Nicholas Asbury as Dr Lanyon. Many times I've read the words of Utterson coming to visit the dying Lanyon at his home, and I've had the words read to me by Tom Baker no less, but nothing could prepare me for the power Asbury puts into his performance, particularly in this scene. The amount of inner turmoil that ultimately kills him on seeing Hyde's transformation as displayed here in this performance is enough to make your ears bleed and is nothing short of electrifying. Bravo Mr Asbury! 

A final word here must go to Benji Clifford on sound design. He brings Victorian London alive in beautiful subltle ways, and frightens you to to the core with the slightest of effects on Hyde's voice. He fascinates you with the sound of tea poring into eleagant china and makes you see a hideous monster become a man while you're eyes are closed. These are the plays that remind me why I love audio drama so much. Thanks for all your hard work and attention to detail Benji! 

Oh, and I must also mention how important it is to listen to the extras. It's where you get answers to nagging questions such as why Inspector Newcomen has such a major role. 

Despite the production issues and delays in this release getting to us, I can say it has been worth the wait. I have thoroughly devoured this and imagine it will be on very regular rotation. 

Thank you Nick Briggs and the whole cast and crew for bringing this story to such vivid life. I adore it! 


Dwayne Bunney

Sunday, August 28, 2022

Review | The Lost Resort and Other Stories by AK Benedict, Sarah Ward and Martyn Waites

The Lost Resort and other stories is one of the most emotionally charged box sets that Big Finish have released in a very long time. 

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AK Benedict is a writer generally known for the macabre and horror but in the first story of the set AK explores powerfully the issue of grief and loss. 

Following on directly from the previous stories the Doctor and his companions have just been reunited after the Doctor ran off and left them out of guilt. And relationships are still tense. 

The story takes place on Soresia. This is planet where the dead can continue to have an existence but is existing enough? The audience gets to explore death and loss through the experiences of the well drawn characters. 

All the cast give strong performances but the emotional heart lies with the return of Adric and excellent performances by Peter Davison and Matthew Waterhouse. The Doctor has been living the guilt of Adric dying for many stories, compounded by the near conversion of his latest companion Marc into a Cyberman. The Doctor and Adric get to have those conversations you can only have with people at the end of their lives. 

The greatest joy, and pain, of the story is Adric gets the proper hero ending he didn’t get in Earthshock. His death finally can finally have meaning. Expect tears. 

The Perils of Nellie Bly by Sarah Ward is a total contrast in comparison. A historic comedy with hilarious running around scenes and a race to the finish. Sydney Feder gives a lovely performance as the historic Nellie Bly and like all good historicals had me researching the story behind the story. 

Finally in Nightmare of the Daleks, Martyn Waites is tasked with ending the Marc arc which he does in an engaging and slightly disturbing way. George Watkins as Marc has had a great run as the ancient Roman companion with a thirst for knowledge and life. Parallels with Adric have been seen throughout and this final story creates a sad but satisfying conclusion to that journey. 

A great set of stories. But listen with tissues handy as you are going to need them. 


Philip Edney

Thursday, August 25, 2022

123. HEATHER CHALLANDS - "Go To Your War Room!"


This week we celebrate the release of Gallifrey: War Room 1 - Allegiance with producer Heather Challands. We chat with Heather about her love of Doctor Who and how she came to be working for Big Finish, and we hear some of her insights about the work involved in producing Doctor Who on audio. 


Gallifrey: War Room 1 - Allegiance can be purchased from https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/gallifrey-war-room-1-allegiance-2592


Philip recommends The Mutoid Podcast - https://mutoidpodcast.libsyn.com/


Dwayne recommends the most recent single from Machines of Indeterminate Origin, This Ship Rights Itself/Reckless - https://moio.bandcamp.com/album/this-ship-rights-itself-reckless

M010 are making this two track download available with all proceeds going to support Ukranian refugees and also Amnesty International’s continued push for better gun laws internationally, especially what has happened (again) in the USA.

www.unrefugees.org.au/emergency-response/ukraine-emergency/

www.amnesty.org/en/what-we-do/arms-control/gun-violence/  

This download is setup as ‘name your price’, so consider what you would like to give to these charities, all proceeds, split evenly, go to them.




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


Email: sirensofaudio@gmail.com

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

Wednesday, August 24, 2022

Review | Torchwood - Empire of Shadows by James Goss

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Torchwood: Empire of Shadows demonstrates how far the format of Torchwood can be pushed and still make riveting drama. This story falls in the midst of a great run of stories by author James Goss. One of the great things about Goss’ writing is the fact that every story can be so different from one another by change of character, location, time or tone. The only consistent thing about his writing is the brilliance. 

Empire of the Shadows takes Torchwood in a whole new direction as the story moves into the far future Earth Empire and re-visits Zachary Cross Flane, who was last seen rescuing Ood from the Impossible Planet. In that story the Torchwood archive is mentioned in passing. But this passing mention becomes the central conceit of this drama.

Zachery works for the Torchwood Archive and that connection is going to lead him into a mystery and conspiracy which can turn from suspenseful to comedic in a couple of sentences. A cross between Tomb Raider and House of Cards, no one can be trusted. 

Shaun Parkes returns from the television episodes to play his first role with Big Finish - and here’s hoping it’s not his last visit. Shaun imbues Zachery with a warmth and charm which allows us to accept him as the hero of the story without question. But his frivolity underlies a wisdom and seriousness that you don’t want to cross. 

The sound design requirements for this story were huge. Naomi Clarke does a great job portraying future spaceships and landscapes, echoing temples and city wide destruction. Supported by a strong score by Blair Mowat, the dialogue has a convincing backdrop on which to rest. 

As always, Scott Handcock works his directorial magic. He manages to take a small cast and make a huge, future epic adventure. 

A must listen for anyone who loves Torchwood or want to know more about the Future Earth Empire. 


Philip Edney

Thursday, August 18, 2022

Bonus: Geronimo! Exclusive Chat with Producer ALFIE SHAW on the New Eleventh Doctor Chronicles Season


In this exclusive chat with writer and producer Alfie Shaw, we discuss and preview the exciting new Eleventh Doctor Chronicles season starring Jacob Dudman and Safiyya Ingar, with the first set to be released in October 2022.

To pre-order your copy and for more information, visit https://www.bigfinish.com/news/v/the-eleventh-doctor-chronicles-are-back

Preview clip courtesy of Big Finish Productions.  



Theme music by Husky By The Geek


Email: sirensofaudio@gmail.com

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

122. Remembering Bernard Cribbins


We celebrate the legacy of Bernard Cribbins in Doctor Who on audio, as Kenny Smith joins us to discuss his only two audio releases for Big Finish, the Eighth Doctor adventure, Horror of Glam Rock and Tenth Doctor Adventure, No Place. 

We also reminisce about our early memories of Bernard and his immense contribution to Doctor Who on television as Wilfred Mott. 

Plus, we each give our Bernard Cribbins' recommendations to close out the episode. 

Kenny's podcast Pieces of Eighth can be found at https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/doctor-who-pieces-of-eighth/id1568889213



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


Email: sirensofaudio@gmail.com

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

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


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

Thursday, August 11, 2022

121. NICHOLAS BRIGGS Part Two - Finishing Big


In Part Two of our discussion with Big Finish Executive Producer Nicholas Briggs, we delve into the history of the company from the early days when The Sirens of Time was still an idea, to today, where we look at where the company is going now. 

Thank you so much for your time Nick!


Philip recommends Doctor Who: Out of Time 3 - Wink - https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/doctor-who-out-of-time-3-wink-2297

Dwayne recommends The New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield Volume 6: Lost in Translation - https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/doctor-who-the-new-adventures-of-bernice-summerfield-volume-06-lost-in-translation-2228



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


Email: sirensofaudio@gmail.com

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

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/audiosirens

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


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