ADAM ADAMANT TEMPORARY TEMPORAL DISPLACEMENT FOR THE FOURTH AND TENTH DOCTORS! - WILL THE EDWARDIAN ADVENTURER GET TO FACE HIS ARCH NEMESIS IN ...
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ISSUE: 137 • JULY 2020 WWW.BIGFINISH.COM
TEMPORARY TEMPORAL DISPLACEMENT
FOR THE FOURTH AND TENTH DOCTORS!
ADAM ADAMANT
WILL THE EDWARDIAN ADVENTURER GET TO
FACE HIS ARCH NEMESIS IN VOLUME TWO?
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EDITORIAL
I’M LOOKING out of my home
office window as I type this. It’s
Monday 1st June and it is
beautifully sunny, however, the
world is still in lockdown limbo
with COVID-19 having halted
our more usual everyday lives.
Fortunately I’ve been able to keep
myself busy over the past couple of
months with Vortex giving me some
focus, but I know there are lots of
people out there who are struggling
to cope, especially with the isolation.
One of my friends in particular
has been having a tough time. She
APOCALYPSE SOON! contracted COVID-19 and weeks
later is still struggling. Her mental
THE WAR MASTER health has suffered – difficult to hear
about from afar. However, it’s not all
doom and gloom. She’s found that
HEARTS OF DARKNESS listening to Big Finish adventures,
especially The Eighth Doctor Time
Peoples of the universe, please attend carefully. War tales, have given her a real lift
The message that follows is vital to the future in some of her lowest moments.
of you all. The choice for you all is simple… That’s what we all need in these
times – the Big Finish family rallying
round to support each other.
PREPARE YOURSELF for the Doctor (in the shape of
I was a regular theatre goer in
more adventures in space Paul McGann) – and kill him.
Glasgow and I’m missing seeing
and time, as Sir Derek The War Master: Killing
actors showcasing their skills to
Jacobi returns for another Time will follow in August
a live audience. But fortunately I
two box sets of stories in 2021 with The Sincerest
can still enjoy plenty of new drama
The War Master volumes Form of Flattery by James
from Big Finish. Never before have
five and six. Goss, A Quiet Night In by
Peter Capaldi’s last words as the
The War Master: Hearts Lou Morgan, The Orphan by
Doctor been more appropriate: “Be
of Darkness will be released Lou Morgan and Unfinished
kind.” And finally, a huge thanks
in October 2020 containing Business by James Goss.
to my friend Rebecca Chapman for
four new adventures: The Producer Scott Handcock
the headlines inspiration when
Edge of Redemption by David says: “I’m immensely proud of
my brain was lagging! VORTEX
Llewellyn, The Scaramancer the work we’ve done on The
by Lisa McMullin, The Castle of War Master range to date, so
Kurnos 5 by David Llewellyn it’s a great thrill to be able to
and The Cognition Shift by Lisa reunite with Derek and tell
McMullin. Sent on a mission even more stories with his
by the Time Lords, the Master particular incarnation.”
must face his arch-enemy, VORTEX
TOM BAKER MEETS DAVID TENNANT? TEN-FOUR!
WE CAN’T deny that, as dismissing the others in The Five Sirens of Time, Project: Lazarus,
Doctor Who fans, we love Doctors, the one-upmanship of The Light at the End and more
to see our favourite Time The Two Doctors, or the sheer recently, The Legacy of Time. And
Lord meet his other fanboy-ishness of the Tenth now two popular incarnations
incarnations! Whether it’s Doctor and his fifth incarnation come face to face in the first
the bickering of the Second in the mini television episode volume of Doctor Who: Out of
and Third Doctors in the Time Crash – it’s always fun. Time, which sees the Fourth
television episode The Three With Big Finish we’ve had Doctor (Tom Baker) and the Tenth
Doctors, each Doctor casually several self-encounters in The Doctor (David Tennant) team up.
VORTEX | PAGE 4
DOCTOR WHO
OUT OF TIME
Tom Baker was the
first Doctor that
I knew… I grew up
through the seven
years that he played
the part. I was a
massive fan.
DAVID TENNANT
Above: David Tennant
Actor David is a well-known idea up our sleeves for a long – and what a wonderful release
Doctor Who fan. He recalls: “Tom time. I can’t even remember when for us all to look forward to.”
Baker was the first Doctor that I we first made the suggestion to Executive producer and director
knew. I was small when he took David Tennant and began work Nicholas Briggs adds: “We were in
over and I grew up through the on the storyline and script. We’d a planning meeting about a year
seven years that he played the hoped to record some months ago ago. There was a pause and then
part. I was a massive fan. I met but the timing didn’t work with David Richardson said, ‘What
him in John Menzies in Glasgow David’s filming commitments to about asking David Tennant if
and he signed my book. I had a Around the World in 80 Days. he’d like to do an adventure with
doll of him. All that! Tom Baker “And then the awful tragedy Tom Baker?’ We all agreed and so
was very much THE Doctor. There of the Coronavirus hit, and the I texted David Tennant there and
is something about the way he world became frozen all of a then. He replied within about five
is associated with the character sudden. Everything went on hold minutes, saying yes, and so we
that seems utterly timeless.” – well pretty much everything – made our plans from that point on.
It’s believed that other people at except Big Finish and our remote “Out of Time has got a really neat
that same signing included Peter recording venture. And so we idea in it that brings the Doctors
Capaldi and Steven Moffat. And were able to coordinate with together. It gives them both a lot
while the John Menzies store is no Tom and David (and the Daleks), of space to be quintessentially
more, a police box stands just up and Out of Time was recorded in their Doctors, while also giving
from where the shop once was. lockdown. What a magical thing them a lot of interaction with each
Producer David Richardson it is. These two magnificent, other – plus fighting the Daleks!
tells us more: “We’ve had this charismatic, brilliant men together What’s not to love about that?”
VORTEX | PAGE 5
DOCTOR WHO
OUT OF TIME
Above: Tom Baker
MATT FITTON’S script takes us bring out all the ways in which they avoiding his fate, and doing all he
to: The Cathedral of are at once the same Time Lord and can to halt meeting his destiny.
Contemplation, an enigma, also very different versions too. We I put in a couple of references
existing outside time. It turns find them both at particular points to what he gets up to while he’s
through history, opening its in their lives. The Tenth Doctor is swanning about before meeting
doors across the universe to offer avoiding his destiny and the Fourth the Ood: the Magellan Gestalt
solace to those in need. Doctor is wandering alone, missing and the Phosphorous Carousel.
Occasionally, the Doctor drops in: a friend – but even he may be Here, he drops in on this strange
when he’s avoiding his destiny, it’s an shocked at what his future holds... cathedral that spins through space
ideal place to get some perspective. “Tom was my Doctor growing up, and time as he thinks he can use
Only this time he’s already there so it’s kind of a loving tribute to them it as a bit of a party-planner.
from several lives earlier, so when both. I took the lead from Time Crash, “It was an absolute joy to be
dimension barriers break down where the Tenth Doctor is seen to be asked to do it – and then there
his past and present collide. a fan of his earlier selves, so to begin was the realisation of the pressure
Matt says: “Of course it was hugely with he’s sitting back and letting that came with it in bringing
exciting to bring together two of the Fourth Doctor do his thing. these two characters together.
the most iconic Doctors, cemented “There was also the aspect “I had a taste of that when I
in the public imagination from of highlighting the differences wrote Technophobia, the first story
new and classic TV eras of Doctor between them. The story is set in The Tenth Doctor Adventures,
Who. I thought putting them up at a very specific point in the life but you learn to just jump in and do
against the Daleks – the Doctor’s of the Tenth Doctor when he’s the thing that feels right and true.
most persistent enemy – would waiting for the four knocks. He’s You hope it will be entertaining for
VORTEX | PAGE 6
DOCTOR WHO
OUT OF TIME
Above: David Tennant
everyone else, and try to capture Robots series where she plays Liv’s NICK WAS delighted with the
these characters as best you can.” sister Tula. Part of the casting casting: “Claire Rushbrook is an
With two hugely charismatic process necessitated people with actor I have long admired, and
leading men, how did the home recording facilities and of course I had the pleasure of
recording sessions go? Claire had already recorded some standing next to her on The
Nick reveals: “They were very Robots by that point in lockdown Weakest Link Doctor Who
jolly recordings. Everyone threw and was comfortable with it. special all those years ago. She’s one
themselves into it with gusto, “We’ve Nicholas Asbury of the nicest people you could hope to
overcoming all the problems of as Captain Zenna, a military work with, and she gave two
remote recordings. This was the first commander who storms onboard excellent performances in this.
production we did entirely under the cathedral looking for a “Kathryn Drysdale was perfect –
lockdown conditions, actually. Quite fugitive. He’s really good. I love his she recorded from within a portable
a challenge, forging new methods. portrayal of Dante in The Diary sauna! I didn’t even think such
“There were some harsher of River Song Series Four, where a thing existed. Then, of course,
words in the script from Tom’s he plays a Poirot-like detective. there’s good old Nick Asbury who
Doctor towards David’s, and Tom “And then in the companion role, I’d work with every day of the week
was very keen to soften that.” we have Jora – a runaway soldier if I could. Such a strong performer.”
The writer was very pleased with from the Dalek Wars – hiding out in Matt adds: “Nick B is playing
his guest cast, Matt confirms: “We’ve the cathedral. She initially meets the the Daleks as well as directing.
got the Abbess of the cathedral Fourth Doctor. We asked Kathryn He said that when he spoke to
played by Claire Rushbrook, who Drysdale, who was also in the TV David Tennant beforehand and
we’re all familiar with from the episode Love & Monsters, to play her.” explained how he was going to
VORTEX | PAGE 7
DOCTOR WHO
OUT OF TIME
record the Daleks with his ring
modulator later, David seemed a
little disappointed. So Nick wired
up his modulator in his office
shed so he could do them live!”
Matt is regularly in studio when
his scripts are recording, and
on this occasion he was able to
In my mind, it’s
the Tenth Doctor
crashing into the
classic era…
MATT FITTON
participate without having to leave
his home. He laughs: “It was weird,
like having live Doctor Who play
out in my bedroom over Zoom!
“I was curious about how it
worked, and Nick B was pleased to Above: David Tennant
have me there in case there were
any questions about the script.
“The actors were talking about Simpson. It’s a true meeting see different Doctors meeting,
how good it is that we’ve been of greats in so many ways.” but what else can executive
able to record this way – but they producer Nick reveal about
miss the direct contact and the ARTIST SIMON Holub has them? He grins, mischievously:
lunches, of course. Being able created the distinctive cover. “The other productions are all
to shake hands or get a hug is He explains: “My aim for this under wraps at the moment as
something we’re all missing. cover was to get a level of we hope to make a real splash
“However, in terms of the interaction between the with the reveals… but it’s going
performances there’s a vibe Doctors. Imagine if we could to be very exciting…” VORTEX
there and a chemistry between have plucked Tom from 1975 and
them all, and it comes over on have a big new series-style
the screen as well. It’s the same photoshoot with David – that was
and not the same all at once.” the feeling I wanted to create. Then
Howard Carter is responsible just have huge fun smashing the
for the release’s sound design and eras together with their respective
music. He tells Vortex: “It’s an Daleks, TARDISes and a subtle hint
absolute thrill to hear the Fourth of title sequences in the
and Tenth Doctors on audio, they background.”
fit so naturally together as both Matt adds: “We were talking
characters and actors. They each about what sort of Daleks would
have a commanding sense of go on the cover, and as we’ve got
seriousness punctuated with a two Doctors clashing together, I
frivolity and bonhomie that will thought it would be fun to mix it
hopefully be as much of a joy to up with the invading Daleks too.
listen to as it has been to edit. “In my mind, it’s the Tenth
“Combined with a cracking script Doctor crashing into the classic era,
DOCTOR WHO
OUT OF TIME
from Matt Fitton, this is one of and there are references to the grey
RELEASED: AUGUST 2020
my favourite episodes. Musically Daleks in the script. But they’re FORMAT: CD/DOWNLOAD
it’s a chance for me to explore a led by a red and gold Supreme in
little, combining elements of the the style seen in the new series.”
sensational new series feel with Out of Time is the first in a ORDER NOW AT:
the more nostalgic era of Dudley series of adventures which will bgfn.sh/unite
VORTEX | PAGE 8
VORTEX MAIL THANK YOU
Thank you so much to every single
person in front of and behind the mic for
producing your Big Finish stories. They
have kept me happy/sane (well almost!)
for a long time but so much more at the
moment. So truly thank you. I am just
happy that you keep coming up with
design you mention, there would be too
much space around the main artwork, I
think. The horizontal space available for
artwork when we used the sidebar for the
Doctor Who logo etc was ideal for this kind
of design because it was largely the same
dimensions as a book cover. With the advent
of the BBC’s new Doctor Who logo a couple
brilliant stories and that all the actors are of years ago, we had to change our layout,
involved and things just get better and as the new logo didn’t work in the sidebar.
better (except for my bank balance – still We’ve no plans for more from Philip.
it’s better than other vices I could have).
Thank you again and if you can pass on LOVE IS EVERYWHERE!
WRITE TO: FEEDBACK@BIGFINISH.COM USING VORTEX MAIL AS THE SUBJECT
my thanks to every single person involved I loved the initial Cicero box set and I was
and everyone on your payroll at all levels very happy to see him pop up opposite
and for all jobs that often people forget. the Fifth Doctor and co last year. Are there
Peter plans for any follow up stories or sets?
Nick: Thank YOU, Peter, consider your Ben Moore
thanks passed along via this reply in Vortex. Nick: I’d never rule that out, Ben, and I’m
The fact is that most of us just can’t help sure its producer, Scott Handcock, will make
coming up with stories and we feel so lucky sure we haven’t heard the end of Cicero.
to be able to work on all our favourite things.
ON THE HOLMES FRONT
Does Big Finish have any more of
its Sherlock Holmes stories in the
pipeline? I enjoyed the escalating
stakes and international adventures
of the previous box sets, and the more
personal scope of The Master of the
Blackstone Grange, and I’m hoping we
have plenty more of Nick Briggs’s Holmes
and Richard Earl’s Watson to come.
Alex Watts
Nick: There is indeed more Holmes in
the pipeline, Alex… which briar, I’m not
sure. (Little Holmes/pipe ‘joke’ for you
there, ahem!) We have scripts in now,
but one of our problems is that Richard
Earl has no technical or recording
abilities as yet, so I’m blaming him!
FINDING THE LOST
I have to say I am very excited about the
two new Tom Baker The Lost Stories BOXED UP?
being announced. I can’t wait to hear I am very much enjoying the re-releases of
Return of the Cybermen and The Doomsday previous series such as Sarah Jane Smith
Contract. The Lost Stories is my favourite and UNIT: The Classic Series as digital
range, it is always fascinating to hear box sets, and was wondering if we can
‘what could have been’. One question expect other series such as Dalek Empire
though, any chance of going back to or Iris Wildthyme in a similar format?
the previous type of artwork for this Seth B.
series? I’m not talking about the logo Nick: Hi, Seth, there are certainly plans
and design layout, but the ‘Target’ like for Dalek Empire to be bundled up.
artwork that the older releases had. They
really gave The Lost Stories a unique FACTORED IN?
look and feel, making it stand out as I really enjoyed The Omega Factor series
a true separate range. Also any more – will you be doing any more stories?
Philip Hinchcliffe Presents planned? Jane Baynton
Sarah Smith Nick: Good news, Jane, I can exclusively
Nick: Hi Sarah, the new cover layout reveal here that another audiobook
doesn’t really lend itself to that ‘Target’ has been commissioned. VORTEX
IS THIS the real life? Is this or is he a man who has suffered a he? Surely they’ll tell us in the
just fantasy? Caught in a mental breakdown and believes second volume. They had better
landslide, no escape from he is said gentleman? At the end resolve it in the next box set!’”
reality… That’s definitely the of the first box set, Georgina had Adam Adamant Lives!
mindset for the Edwardian been captured by Adam’s arch Volume Two: Face Off has
adventurer Adam Adamant, enemy known as the Face, and three more adventures: A Slight
who encounters Georgina Jones in her friend thought she had died. Case of Reincarnation, Face It!
swinging sixties London in volume Writer Guy Adams has and The Important Questions.
one of Adam Adamant Lives! A retooled the original BBC Did Guy always know how he
Vintage Year for Scoundrels. television series, and says: would resolve the Scoundrels
Georgina, however, is unsure if “Most listeners seem to have cliffhanger?: “Yes, I always had
he is actually the real deal: is he got it. It’s interesting that some an idea in mind. From the title
a revived Edwardian gentleman, people are saying, ‘Is he or isn’t alone, Georgina Jones Dies!, you’ve
VORTEX | PAGE 10ADAM ADAMANT
VOLUME TWO
Adam has completely retired
from the world of crime fighting,
convinced that he was making
matters worse rather than
better. His ex-theatrical butler,
Simms, refuses to let go of such
things, and he is currently
fighting crime in the company
of an ex-sharp shooting and
current bouncer, Lina. They
are a very strange double-act.
“Of course, poor Georgina is
presumed dead but is actually
in the company of either a
very misunderstood man who
may be correct in warning
her that Adam is a dangerous
man to associate with, or he
himself is a dangerous man
with whom to associate.
“She’s not quite sure. Is Adam
deranged, or is the Face her
salvation – or is it the other
way round? Or is it both?!”
THE QUESTION IS,
IS THERE A REAL
FACE SOMEWHERE,
AND HAS HE
MANAGED TO TRAVEL
THROUGH TIME?
GUY ADAMS
Above (l–r): Guy Adams
and Milly Thomas
got to use it, haven’t you? It’s just – and how will they feel about it...?” The second tale is one that
so obvious to go with. But we The set opens with A Slight Case pretty much features just two
weren’t going to kill off someone of Reincarnation. Guy says: “In the cast members, in Face It!.
as fun as Georgina so swiftly. first box set I was very interested “Story two is the strange one
“I always knew that the second in making sure that each story of the set,” reveals Guy, before
box set would, amongst other was different, to keep playing pausing: “Okay, the stranger one
things, address the Face. The Face with the format so you don’t get of the set, to be more accurate!
has been an ever-present thing in a sense of, ‘Oh, this is what an “Even though it’s all one big
Adam’s life in the form of his own episode of Adam Adamant is’. story, I wanted to continue
self-loathing, his worst enemy. Each episode was tonally and to play with form. It’s just
The question is, is there a real Face structurally different. This second Adam and his worst enemies
somewhere, and has he managed to box set has another format. Each trapped in a room together.
travel through time to be there in episode is linked, all three stories “It’s surreal and horrifying and
the sixties to cause Adam trouble? are effectively one big story. one of the most difficult things
Has he two greatest enemies to “The first adventure very much anyone has ever asked poor
fight? Will there be a deep jealousy picks up from where we left off. Blake Ritson to record, or indeed
VORTEX | PAGE 11ADAM ADAMANT
VOLUME TWO
Nicholas Asbury as Milligan. If
you think of the penultimate
episode of The Prisoner, Once
Upon a Time, we’re in that kind
of territory. I don’t want to evoke
or compare it with another
show, but tonally it’s playing in
that area. It’s not dissimilar.”
STORY TWO IS
THE STRANGE
ONE OF THE
SET… OKAY,
THE STRANGER
ONE OF THE
SET! GUY ADAMS Above (l–r): Blake Ritson,
Nicholas Asbury and Nicholas Briggs
THE SERIES concludes with more lines in the first set if I’d
The Important Questions, in realised! I am now writing Sims
which Guy says: for me, and I get a strangely guilty
“We get to resolve who is mixture of good, fun big speeches
the greatest enemy of Adam and long periods of absence
Adamant. Is it himself, is where I feel I can’t be overly
it the Face, or the woman who’s generous to myself!” VORTEX
just killed him?! It also involves a
gentleman called Vernon, who’s a
famous collector of memorabilia
connected to the Marquis de Sade.”
In contrast to the first set, Guy
is now writing for established
voices, with Blake Ritson reprising
his role as Adam, and Milly
Thomas as Georgina. Guy laughs:
“As far as Blake is concerned, he
is the Adam who was always in
my head. His portrayal is by far
the closest embodiment of my
mental image of the character.
“When writing Georgina,
there’s now an awareness of
Milly’s voice and delivery, which
ADAM ADAMANT LIVES!
VOLUME TWO: FACE OFF
helps. But she’s such a great
RELEASED: AUGUST 2020
actor, I put her through the mill FORMAT: CD/DOWNLOAD
the way I always planned to.”
“It’s also more interesting
knowing I’m playing a part – I’d ORDER NOW AT:
probably have given myself Above: Dan Starkey bgfn.sh/adam2
VORTEX | PAGE 12Many people say
The X-Files was just
The Omega Factor
with a budget!
LOUISE JAMESON
Natasha again as I’d met her way back
BOOK CLUB
in 1979 when we filmed the TV series.
“Then when David asked me to narrate
the audiobook, I was a bit surprised! It’s
supernatural and outrageous and other-
worldly, but it’s not really science fiction.
THE OMEGA Back then, and still today, there’s an
FACTOR interest as people have that great question
– is there anything else out there other
WWW.BIGFINISH.COM/OFFERS/V/BOOKCLUB ACCESS CODE: STORIES
than us? And if so, who’s responsible
for it? Many people say The X Files was
just The Omega Factor with a budget!”
Created by Scottish writer David adds: “Louise did a smashing
reading of the book – we played it
Jack Gerson, The Omega through pretty much in one sitting.”
Factor ran for one ten-part Natasha – who also acted in the audio
series aired by the BBC in 1979. series as the mysterious Morag – said: “My
dad was a fan of anything to do with the
COMBINING SCIENCE fiction, supernatural. I don’t know if he believed
horror and thriller elements, it in it, but he always found it fascinating.
was hugely popular with When I was a kid, I didn’t like Enid Blyton
television viewers. To whet the – I wanted to read MR James and Sherlock
appetite before the release of their Holmes, which I loved. I inherited my
first series of The Omega Factor dad’s penchant for things like that!”
full-cast audio dramas, Big Finish A new The Omega Factor
recorded a talking book. Producer David audiobook, Divinity, written by Doris
Richardson explains: “Like many things V Sutherland and read by Louise
I’ve ended up producing at Big Finish, Jameson, is out this month. VORTEX
The Omega Factor was a series I
enjoyed on TV back in the 70s and I’d
long felt that it would work brilliantly
on audio.
“So I got in touch with Natasha
Gerson, the daughter of the late Jack
Gerson who created the show, and she
was very happy for us to make not only
the audio dramas, but also an audiobook
of Jack’s original TV novelisation.”
Read by Louise Jameson, who
appeared in the TV episodes as
Dr Anne Reynolds, Natasha was
delighted that the novelisation was
given new life in the 21st century.
Natasha said: “The novel is different
from the TV series because Dad
wanted to write his own version
of The Omega Factor rather than THE OMEGA FACTOR
using other writers’ storylines.” A NOVELISATION OF
Louise said: “It’s a rather thrilling THE TV SERIES
RELEASED: OCTOBER 2013
one. David asked if I would have lunch
FORMAT: DOWNLOAD
with him and Natasha during the early
negotiations for the audio dramas as he
hoped that me being there would give it ORDER NOW AT:
a bit more gravitas. It was lovely to see bgfn.sh/ofaudioTORCHWOOD HAS had the Susie Costello on television. And Sergeant Andy Davidson back in
honour of being populated Big Finish has given us Mr time to Soho in the 1950s. And
by larger than life Colchester, Ng and Orr – as well as now we turn back the clock again
characters over the years. the one and only Norton Folgate. to witness Norton accompanied
We’ve met Captain Jack We had a glimpse of bygone by Andy in Torchwood Soho. Tom
Harkness and Yvonne Torchwood in 2018’s audio Price reprises his role as Andy,
Hartman, plus Gwen Cooper, release, Goodbye Piccadilly, in joining Samuel Barnett (Dirk
Toshiko Sato, Owen Harper and which Norton dragged his friend Gently in the BBC series) as Norton.
VORTEX | PAGE 14TORCHWOOD
SOHO
Above (l–r): Liz Sutherland-Lim,
Samuel Barnett, Joe Shire,
Tom Price and Franchi Webb
WE GET TO SEE NORTON HUNTING
Gangsters are vanishing from
DOWN ALIEN ARTEFACTS STOLEN
the streets of Soho, there’s a
deadly Nazi secret on the loose,
BY NAZIS, ESCAPING FROM A
and something’s moving in the
smog. Norton Folgate should be
TIME-TRAVELLING PUB, AND
sorting this out, but the Torchwood
agent is in disgrace. Who’s going
BATTLING ZOMBIES IN MARGATE.
JAMES GOSS
to save London this time?
Torchwood Soho – Parasite
contains six stories: The Man From
Room 13, Meet Mr Lyme, The Mould, worth exploring. We vaguely down to the writing, but really it’s
The Spread, The Dead Hand and glimpsed 1950s Torchwood in down to Sam’s performance and
The Liberty of Norton Folgate. the Doctor Who TV episode, his rapport with Tom. They’re
Vortex asks writer/producer The Idiot’s Lantern, and this just audio magic, aren’t they?
James Goss at what point did new release is a real peep under “As it’s set in the 1950s, it was
he think that Andy and Norton the murky, awful bonnet.” obvious to follow the rhythm of
should get their own series? James has been particularly the Quatermass serials – so there
James explains: “Actually, pleased by the reception Norton are six half-hour episodes. And,
everyone’s been so kind about the has had from listeners: “Thrilled, in the tradition of Quatermass,
relationship between Norton and blown away, boggled – and we start out in an office and
Andy, that it really didn’t take that’s just in reaction to some end with the world in peril.
much arm-twisting to convince Big of the fan art on Tumblr! “We get to see Norton hunting
Finish to let us spend three blissful “Seriously, it’s weird to have sort down alien artefacts stolen by
days in studio with Sam and Tom. of created a Torchwood character Nazis, escaping from a time-
“The fabulous thing about that wasn’t on TV who the Big travelling pub, and battling
Torchwood as a franchise is that Finish listeners are dying to hear zombies in Margate. We get to
it spans a huge period, and there more of and who has a following meet Norton’s boss (played by
are chunks of it that are just of his own. I’d love to say it’s all Dervla Kirwan) and the hapless
VORTEX | PAGE 15TORCHWOOD
SOHO
leader of Torchwood Soho (David the world you build and characters things and putting up barriers
Troughton) – who both share you cast, but it’s the same – which makes characters like
a terrible secret. And we get to approach as creating a civilisation Andy and Gideon more relatable
discover why Torchwood hid the of reptilian aliens in the far as our identification figures.”
Skylon at the Festival of Britain. future. The script sets up the rules Tom Price is delighted that
Norton’s also trying to avoid and everyone plays by them. If not only does Sergeant Andy
the attentions of a journalist anything, period pieces are often continue to feature in Torchwood,
(played by Joe Shire) who is a bit easier because everyone has a but he’s also a series lead.
IF ANYTHING,
PERIOD PIECES
ARE OFTEN A
BIT EASIER
BECAUSE
EVERYONE HAS
A FRAME OF
REFERENCE.
SCOTT HANDCOCK
He admits: “The listeners really
like what Big Finish is doing with
Torchwood, which means we can
rock up and do more. It’s amazing
that the world of Torchwood has
been built on good foundations
and we can keep adding to it.
“I watched The X Files back in
the day, and Star Trek: The Next
Generation, as they can reboot
and keep going forever and ever.
If something is built well, it will
Above (l–r): David Troughton, last, and that’s exactly what’s
Samuel Barnett and Dervla Kirwan happening with Torchwood.
It’s got a good engine, and you
can tweak it here and there so
determined to uncover what frame of reference. Though having we can take the cast and put
Torchwood is. Norton’s in a whole said that, it also means you have them into a new setting.
lot of trouble – and this time to really do your homework. “Norton is such a great
he needs Andy to help him.” “The 50s is a fascinating period. personality – he was never on
Scott Handcock has been Yes, you have a bit more Received TV and I think Sam Barnett is
responsible for directing the Pronunciation – especially with slightly annoyed about that!
series. How did he find bringing Norton, who throws in a dash of Characters like him have just got
this volume – effectively a Polari every so often – but there’s that thing, where they’re big and
period piece – to life? a lovely mix of characters in this funny and very memorable.
He grins: “Maybe it’s just because script, covering various classes “I love our team of Scott and
I’ve done a lot of Doctor Who, and backgrounds. Belle Epoch James. James is a magnificent
where you’re constantly flitting all (gloriously portrayed by Franchi writer – he has such a brilliant
over space and time, but I’m not Webb) is a character who you could ear for a story and putting these
sure I really register the difference! probably only bring to life in this worlds together. If he was writing
“Obviously, you’re aware of the era. People own those identities music he would be Guy Chambers!
period and need to convey that in more – a lot of them are hiding And Scott understands the
VORTEX | PAGE 16TORCHWOOD
SOHO
characters better than you or I do. push the material further. It fantastic set pieces that test you
A lot of directors throw way too also means when we get new as you leap around the schedule.
much stuff at you, but Scott has characters coming in, and “One of the biggest highlights
a good hand on the tiller and will the actors see what Sam and was getting Dervla Kirwan in to
give you a couple of points that Tom are bringing to it, they play Lizbeth Heyhoe. She fell in
can change your performance. relax and feel able to give that love with the script and said it’s
“I just love going into this created little bit extra, which is kind absolutely the kind of part she’d
world, and having such fun.” of what you need when you’re never get seen for on screen – and
I SUGGESTED WE
DO IT AS A SIX-
PART SERIAL
OF HALF-HOUR
EPISODES. IT
MOVES ALONG
AT ONE HELL
OF A LICK!
SCOTT HANDCOCK
we just had an absolute blast. It
was our first Big Finish together,
though obviously when I had
to recast Miss Quill in Class,
she was my immediate first
choice. She’s simply amazing.
The entire cast just got it…”
And James concludes:
“Honestly, it was just three
days of bliss in a studio with
a great set of actors.” VORTEX
Above (l–r): Samuel Barnett,
Joe Shire and Tom Price
SCOTT ENJOYS the dynamic projecting an entire performance
between Sam and Tom, in through your voice.”
particular. He says: “I think Scott adds: “It’s a lovely
it’s fair to say that Sam and change of pace for Torchwood.
Tom hit it off instantly. Even I remember the old BBC Sexton
before Ghost Mission (their Blake dramas, and that slightly
first Torchwood together), they pulpy, serialised style they had,
met at the recording of Doctor so when James first mooted this
Who: Nightshade and it was clear I suggested we do it as a six-part
they enjoyed working together – serial of half-hour episodes. It
TORCHWOOD SOHO
PARASITE
and that’s only grown the more moves along at one hell of a lick!
RELEASED: AUGUST 2020
we’ve done. “And as always with James’s FORMAT: CD/DOWNLOAD
“There’s a shorthand between scripts, the humour is contrasted
them that comes from having with some genuine horror and
recorded a lot together, and drama. It’s a really strong character ORDER NOW AT:
that trust means they can piece and, as a director, has some bgfn.sh/sohoColin Baker and Nicola
Bryant are reunited in
a new box set and…
WHEN THE Sixth Doctor and Doctor and Peri. In fact I think we Doctor and Peri release. The
Peri were forced apart during recorded this set before we started monthly range was already well-
events on Thoros Beta, it recording Colin’s Doctor in The advanced in its plans but David, in
seemed the pair would never Lives of Captain Jack. It was a joy typical David fashion, suggested a
meet again. But thanks to Big to reunite them, and particularly at box set of adventures. So I connected
Finish they were reunited in a a point in their timeline where we with Nev, who I’ve also had the
trio of adventures starting with The can drive the relationship forward pleasure of working with before,
Widow’s Assassin released in 2014. as opposed to slipping in between and we thrashed a few ideas around.
The Sixth Doctor and Peri the gaps in television adventures. Originally Nev suggested a big four-
Volume One is their first box set “It all began with writer Nev part epic with Daleks and the Time
together, with four new adventures Fountain, from what I remember War, and I think possibly HG Wells
set after the events of The Rani Elite. – always a good way to open and his Martians, all culminating on
Producer/director Scott Handcock an explanation for something! a cliffhanger; but it got overthrown
says: “It’s been lovely getting to work He’d been chatting with David because of Time War continuity,
with Colin and Nicola again. I’ve Richardson about doing a new clashing themes in other releases,
directed both of them previously on story in The Monthly Adventures, and my insistence that it wasn’t fair
other productions, but never as the picking up from the last Sixth to end a box set on a cliffhanger!
VORTEX | PAGE 18Above (l–r): David Sibley, Colin
Baker, Nicola Bryant, Nev Fountain,
George Naylor and Raj Ghatak
“We settled instead on the more
traditional format of four one-
IT ALL BEGAN into the interior of Africa was
going to take up a large part of the
hour stories, allowing us to throw WITH WRITER narrative. But once it got squeezed
the characters into a number of
different adventures. I asked Nev if NEV FOUNTAIN, down into an hour, pretty much all of
that got jettisoned – and all the better
he wanted to script edit, but he was
happy simply to write one episode
FROM WHAT I for it I think, it might otherwise
have been a little too leisurely.”
rather than oversee all four.” REMEMBER – Andrew adds: “Yes, I’d long had
Nicola Bryant is pleased to be
working with Colin Baker once
ALWAYS A GOOD an idea to do a 1980’s era story
in the style of Hartnell’s Marco
more, and tells Vortex: “Well, WAY TO OPEN Polo. It comes over really well on
as always it’s a delight! And it’s
very easy to work with my dear AN EXPLANATION audio soundtrack alone, I think,
and obviously you are always
friend and colleague Colin. I
have been working with him
FOR SOMETHING! looking for things that work
strongly in that medium. The
SCOTT HANDCOCK
for over half my life – so ‘easy’ next question was where to set
is kind of an understatement! it, and again, with a soundscape
“It is always exciting to be playing WE OPEN with The Headless environment in mind plus the long
such a well-rounded character as Ones by James Parsons and journey approach, we settled on
Peri. To have so much information Andrew Stirling-Brown. When 19th century Africa with all its
from her childhood to being a a distress call from an wildlife, jungles and rainforests.”
middle-aged woman is a rare thing unknown source threatens to The actual inspiration of the story
in our business. It makes the job rip the TARDIS from the comes from the Mappa Mundi.
fun and the work interesting. vortex, the Doctor and Peri arrive in Andrew explains: “I’ve passed a lot
“Recording the stories of an nineteenth-century Africa hoping to of time over the years – probably too
older Peri gives me the advantage find the cause of the disturbance. much – thinking up Doctor Who
of avoiding having to play naïve James says: “The Headless Ones monsters. For this story I spent ages
or immature scenarios. It’s started life as an idea for a much trying to come up with something
particularly enjoyable for me longer travelogue, a Marco Polo-like new and then it hit me one day that
playing a wiser, more rounded Peri.” story where the journey from port I didn’t necessarily need to invent
VORTEX | PAGE 19DOCTOR WHO
SIXTH DOCTOR & PERI
bought a copy of the map and took
it down to the recording as a bit of
reference material for everyone,
and as you will see it makes a great
addition to the cast photo.”
LIKE IS written by Jacqueline
Rayner. On the Earth colony
world Rusina, the populace
strive to be popular. Likes lead
to promotion, dislikes lead to
demotion – and more recently,
something worse. So when the Doctor
investigates the truth behind their
subscriber-led society, he finds
himself about to become very
unpopular indeed.
Jac recalls that her brief was: “Just
the Sixth Doctor and an older Peri,
I think.” And having previously
written The Marian Conspiracy
and Doctor Who and the Pirates
for Colin Baker’s Doctor, she was
delighted to create another tale
Above (l–r): Ryan Forde Iosco, Sarah Douglas,
Nicola Bryant, Stephen Critchlow, Rosie Baker for this incarnation. Jac confirms:
and Colin Baker “It always feels like coming home.
LIKE WAS
PLOTTED A VERY
LONG TIME
AGO WHEN MY
CHILDREN WERE
STILL AT PRIMARY
SCHOOL, I
REMEMBER I WAS
WORKING ON IT
DURING SCHOOL
SPORTS DAY.
JACQUELINE RAYNER
My happy place. I love him.
Back row (l–r): James Parsons, Vivienne Acheampong, “Like was plotted a very long time
Colin Baker, Javone Prince and Hugh Skinner
Front row (l–r): Nicola Bryant, Deirdre Mullins (holding
ago when my children were still at
the Mappa Mundi) and Andrew Stirling-Brown primary school, I remember I was
working on it during school sports
day. They were in Hoffmann house
something! I love mythological creatures illustrated is a tribesman – Hoffmann is a local manufacturer
creatures and I remembered with no head, his facial features are to which we have strong family ties
about the Mappa Mundi, Hereford in his chest. An image brilliantly anyway – we’re a very pro-Hoffmann
Cathedral’s unique 14th century brought to life on the box set cover. family! But Hoffmann always came
map of the world, which contains And this creature just happened to last, every sports day, and Crompton
amazing drawings of the different be found in Africa, too. So here was house always won. So I named my
tribes and fantastical species of our perfect monster, they become four main characters after the four
people that inhabit it. One of the the subject of the story’s quest. I school houses, and made Hoffmann
VORTEX | PAGE 20DOCTOR WHO
SIXTH DOCTOR & PERI
slumming it in a British B-picture,
only for the Doctor to turn up
and put a spanner in the works.”
THE FOURTH story, Conflict
Theory by Nev Fountain, sees
Peri present the Doctor with
an ultimatum after becoming
worried by how wary he is of
her. Given the choice of
having counselling or she leaves
the TARDIS permanently, the
THE 1970s
IS A VERY
UNDEREXPLORED
ERA FOR DOCTOR
WHO, WHICH
SURPRISES ME
SINCE IT’S SO
DOWNBEAT AND
GRIMY AND
EVOCATIVE.
Above: Nicola Bryant STUART MANNING
the good guy and Crompton the Stuart says: “The part from the Doctor seeks out Dr Sigmund
baddie, to even the score a bit! initial conversation that stuck with Freud. Nev says: “When the brief
“I like to have as many female me was that this was originally came though, this box set was to be
characters in a story as can be commissioned to celebrate 20 years one of several marking Big Finish’s
squeezed in, and this story lent itself of the Sixth Doctor and Peri with 20th anniversary, and be a
nicely to strong female characters, Big Finish. That’s an interesting celebration of the Doctor and Peri.
so that was good. My only real worry thing in itself, the fact that those “I wanted to examine, in a playful
about the story is the title – it’s a gift performances and characters have way (of course!), the long history
to anyone who doesn’t ‘like’ it…!” now far outlived the original source of Doctor/Peri, the issues that
Jac also found it interesting material. I also felt that there was have been brought up from their
to write for this older Doctor no point in writing a story for 2020 adventures together. Does the
and Peri combination. as a pastiche of a 1986 TV show. Doctor feel guilt from putting Peri
She adds: “It’s rather lovely. “So my starting point was in danger so many times over the
The Doctor regards Peri as to try and find locations and years? Does Peri resent the Doctor
more of an equal now and they characters that felt new for that for leaving her on Thoros Beta?
clearly care about and trust each TARDIS team and take it from So where better to examine those
other. A more settled, grown-up there. I watched an early 1970s issues but on a giant spaceship
relationship with so much shared documentary about the failing devoted to psychoanalysis
history. But not every corner British film industry on iPlayer, populated with robot Sigmund
has been totally smoothed, so all doom and gloom on grainy Freuds? And that’s where we’re
it’s not entirely predictable.” 16mm, which I really enjoyed. The at when the story starts.”
1970s is a very underexplored era Nev enjoys the new interplay
IN THE third adventure, The for Doctor Who, which surprises between the Doctor and Peri. He
Vanity Trap by Stuart me since it’s so downbeat and explains: “I love writing for this
Manning, we meet Myrna grimy and evocative. I love second older Peri/Doctor, because their
Kendal, a former Hollywood wave Hollywood too, and I’ve relationship is probably the most
film star now spending her read lots about that, so I had the like ‘modern’ Doctor Who. When
life on chat shows. idea of a slightly fading film star she came along Peri was already
VORTEX | PAGE 21catalyst of this dark story. And I
was deeply amused by the idea that
the Doctor and Peri had reached a
place where the only answer would
be therapy, in Conflict Theory by
Nev Fountain. Of course the only
therapist who could handle this
pair would be Dr Sigmund Freud.
But this is a Nev Fountain story
so nothing is as it seems…”
LOOKING BACK on the
studio days, Scott
remembers: “It’s funny what
you recall about recording
sessions. These scripts were
commissioned in 2017 then
recorded late in 2018 – almost two
years ahead of its eventual release
– but some details stick in my
mind. I remember Colin really
loving Stuart Manning’s The Vanity
Trap because it reminded him a lot
of Sapphire & Steel, plus we
introduced his daughter, Rosie, to
the Big Finish fold during that
recording (before I immediately
nabbed her again for a role in The
Sins of Captain John).”
Nicola adds: “I particularly
enjoyed meeting Rosie again,
I’ve known her since she was in
nappies! It’s great that having
recently left drama school she’s
now a fully fledged actress, and
Above: Colin Baker
she did a wonderful job in the
role of Carolyn Sue.” VORTEX
WHAT IS REALLY Sixth Doctor and Peri that would
be reflected in the decades they
INTERESTING IS have known each other. What
is really interesting is that Peri
THAT PERI HAS has grown but of course the
GROWN BUT Doctor hasn’t changed at all.
“It was great fun heading into the
OF COURSE THE jungle with The Headless Ones and
DOCTOR HASN’T learning the inspiration behind
James Parsons and Andrew Stirling-
CHANGED AT ALL Brown’s work. Being plunged into
the world of Like by Jacqueline
NICOLA BRYANT
Rayner felt uncomfortably real
– how far away are we from this
an intelligent woman who wanted world already? And Jac nails
to travel with the Doctor, rather so perfectly the relationship
than an orphan or someone who between Peri and the Doctor. DOCTOR WHO
wanted to get back home, so to me “Who wouldn’t want to THE SIXTH DOCTOR
that already puts her in the Clara/ travel back to a time filled with AND PERI: VOLUME ONE
RELEASED: AUGUST 2020
Rose/Martha/Donna/Amy bracket. Hollywood screen idols and meet
FORMAT: CD/DOWNLOAD
Nicola adds: “I really adore all of the long forgotten Myrna Kendal
these stories. Interesting, complex in The Vanity Trap by Stuart
and diverse. They all tackle the Manning? I particularly enjoyed ORDER NOW AT:
inevitable change between the how Peri’s appearance was the bgfn.sh/sixandperi
VORTEX | PAGE 22COMING SOON
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