Showing posts with label leela. Show all posts
Showing posts with label leela. Show all posts

Thursday, 29 May 2014

Big Finish June 2014 Preview

 
June brings us the Doctor’s first encounter with the Eminence, the final companion chronicle and the return of Bernice Summerfield.


Written By: Stephen Cole
Directed By: Ken Bentley

Synopsis:
France, the year 1770: by special invitation, the famous 'Doctor', friend of Voltaire, arrives at the lonely estate of the lovely Marquise de Rimdelle – once a hostess to the highest of high society, now isolated by the strange, pernicious mist that lingers round the countryside.

But there's more in that fog than mere vapour, confesses the Marquise's strange niece to the Doctor's ward, Nyssa. She senses some uncanny machine circling the fringes of the estate, in the space between the shadows. Watching. Always watching. She's given it a name: 'The Steamroller Man'.

Meanwhile, the man in the cellar talks to the Doctor; a dead man, trapped behind the cellar walls. The Steamroller Man is coming, he says; coming to smash the place down. It seems the Doctor has been drawn into a very dangerous liaison…

CAST:
Peter Davison (The Doctor), Sarah Sutton (Nyssa), Rebecca Night (Helene), Victoria Hamilton (Marquise De Rimdelle), David Chittenden (Vicomte de Valdac), Andrew Dickens (Steamroller Man), Sean Brosnan (Dead Man)

Preparatory Listening: Moonflesh and Tomb Ship, for reasons I shall not display for spoiler reasons


Written By: John Dorney
Directed By: Lisa Bowerman

Synopsis:
From time to time, everybody makes mistakes. Everybody has things from their past they'd like to undo, but nobody gets a second chance. What's done is done and we can't change that.

Zoe's mistakes have led her to imprisonment at the hands of the Company. But when news reports trigger memories of the Doctor, Jamie and an appalling threat, she begins to sense a way out. An opportunity for redemption opens up to anyone willing to take it.

Nobody can alter what's been done. Nobody gets a second chance.
Or do they?

CAST:
Wendy Padbury (Zoe Heriot), Emily Pithon (Kym)

Preparatory Listening: Echoes Of Grey, The Memory Cheats and The Uncertainty Principle, but only for background and context


Written By: Nicholas Briggs
Directed By: Nicholas Briggs

Synopsis:
The colony planet Delafoss is occupied by the army of a rapacious alien force known only as the Eminence. These slave armies of terrified humans are commanded by the dreaded Infinite Warriors - impervious to most forms of firepower, voices like icy death.

The Doctor and Leela arrive expecting to find Earth’s most successful, unspoiled colony. Instead, they are confronted by a planet choked by industrialization. And at the heart of it all, the construction of something that the Eminence intends will wipe out all human resistance once and for all.

For the first time in his life, the Doctor confronts the Eminence… and things will never be quite the same again.

CAST:
Tom Baker (The Doctor), Louise Jameson (Leela), David Sibley (The Eminence), Michael Fenton-Stevens (Moorson), Clive Mantle (Tillegat/Lieutenant Treeves), Hywel Morgan (Larivan/Lieutenant Garrett), Christine Roberts (Sarla), Ian Hallard (Davent/Infinite Warrior)

Preparatory Listening: This was the first written story to feature the Eminence, but Seeds Of War and Dark Eyes 2 were earlier.


Written By: Nev Fountain, Una McCormack, Guy Adams, James Goss
Directed By: Scott Handcock

Synopsis:
A new five-disc box set featuring the adventures of archaeologist Bernice Summerfield and her friends the Doctor and Ace!

The Revolution by Nev Fountain
On the planet of Arviem 2, Bernice Summerfield has a lot of problems. Pursued by robots, maniacs and miracles, she has another issue to contend with. The Doctor's come looking for her – and he's not feeling himself.

Good Night, Sweet Ladies by Una McCormack
Bernice has come to the Moon of Adolin on a desperate mission. Instead, she finds an abandoned labyrinth, two confused survivors, and something ancient that needs her help.

Random Ghosts by Guy Adams
Welcome to the Forbidden World. This world has a secret. The problem is that no-one can remember what it is. Time is broken here. Those trapped here must live the same day over and over – forming alliances, lying to each other, trying to escape. Welcome to the Forbidden World.

The Lights of Skaro by James Goss
Bernice Summerfield is on Skaro, and she's very much on her own. The Doctor can't get to her, not this time. All Benny can do is stay alive for as long as possible. And, in a city full of Daleks, that's not going to be very long.

CAST:
Lisa Bowerman (Bernice Summerfield), Sylvester McCoy (The Doctor), Sophie Aldred (Ace), Nicholas Briggs (The Daleks), Terry Molloy (Davros), John Finnemore (Steven), Miles Jupp (Inquisitor Xavier), Matthew Gravelle (Klinus), Colin MacFarlane (Foster), Sheila Reid (Claire), Nicola Bryant (Professor Geller), Alex Jordan (Renk Van Magnastein), Amber Revah (Varna), Matthew Woodcock (Robots)

Preparatory Listening: As the placement in Benny and the Doctor’s timeline is uncertain, it seems none.


Written By: Nev Fountain
Directed By: David Darlington and Joseph Lidster

Synopsis:
“I am Olivia Corey, the eternal actress.  I’ve lived my whole life in two dimensions.  Perhaps I prefer it that way.”

Olivia Corey has been offered the role of her life.

They’re making a movie called The Curse of Collinwood by Mr D Curtis. Apparently it’s based on a true story about an old house in Maine where all manner of terrible things happen.

Olivia is offered the role of ‘Amanda Harris’, a woman created from a painting, destined to fall in love with a cursed man, destined to roam the Earth to find him again.

How could she refuse?

After all, it’s the part she was born to play…

CAST:
David Selby (Quentin Collins), Donna McKechnie (Amanda Harris/Olivia Corey), Denise Nickerson (Elspeth Gardner), Alexander Vlahos (Dorian Gray), Jan Chappell (Dorcas Hanley), Wally Wingert (Norman Cope), Richard Halpern (Andy Warhol), Richard Crowest (Gerald Wilde), Walles Hamonde (Milo Channing), Zeynep Sandi (Joan Albert), Jamie Zubairi (Sketch), Emma Carter (Marnie Sloman), Ross McNamara (Benny Leonard)

Preparatory Listening: Being unfamiliar with the series, a passing knowledge would most likely be most helpful.


Written By: Mark Wright and Cavan Scott
Directed By: Ken Bentley

Synopsis:
Roj Blake and the President of the Terran Federation stand face to face.

Two men with polar opposite political views, meeting for the first and last time.

The long crusade is at an end. And Blake stands to lose everything that matters in his life...

CAST:
Gareth Thomas (Roj Blake), Paul Darrow (Kerr Avon), Michael Keating (Vila Restal), Jan Chappell (Cally), Sally Knyvette (Jenna Stannis), Brian Croucher (Travis), Alistair Lock (Zen/Orac), Hugh Fraser (The President)

Preparatory Listening: Being unfamiliar with the series, a passing knowledge would most likely be most helpful. This story also draws on events from previous releases in the range


Written By: Matt Fitton, Jonathan Morris, Andrew Smith, John Dorney
Directed By: Ken Bentley

Synopsis:
It begins with just a few people falling ill. Another flu virus that spreads around the globe. And then the reports begin that people are dying…

When most of the world's population is wiped out, a handful of survivors are left to pick up the pieces.

Cities become graveyards. Technology becomes largely obsolete. Mankind must start again…

NOTE: Survivors contains adult material and is not suitable for younger listeners.

1. Revelation by Matt Fitton
When people begin to die of a new strain of a flu virus, newspaper journalists Helen Wiseman and Daniel Connor investigate. They uncover a terrifying story - but will anyone ever get to read it?

2. Exodus by Jonathan Morris
Billions of people have died across the globe. Cities are rife with secondary diseases, and the survivors attempt to make their way out of London.

3. Judges by Andrew Smith
After a storm wipes out much of their community's supplies, Greg and Jenny go in search of new provisions - much to Abby's disapproval.

4. Esther by John Dorney
Greg, Jenny and their new friends are trapped. Will they ever make it out alive?

CAST:
Lucy Fleming (Jenny Richards), Ian McCulloch (Greg Preston), John Banks (Daniel Connor), Louise Jameson (Jackie Burchall), Sinead Keenan (Susie Edwards),. Caroline Langrishe (Helen Wiseman), Adrian Lukis (James Gillison), Chase Masterson (Maddie Price), Terry Molloy (John Redgrave), Camilla Power (Fiona Bell)
Special appearance by Carolyn Seymour (Abby Grant)

Preparatory Listening: Being unfamiliar with the series, a passing knowledge would most likely be most helpful.

Tuesday, 28 January 2014

Big Finish February 2014 preview



February may be known for the month with 28¼  days (and 29 each leap year), but Big Finish aren’t stopping the love with many new fantastic releases. With Doctor Who, the Sixth Doctor and Flip meet the Brood of Erys, Ian must explain his three year absence on Earth with a tale from The Sleeping City and the Fourth Doctor and Leela face the White Ghosts and the Eighth Doctor and Molly have Dark Eyes 2 (bad pun I know). Never fear, Big Finish are bringing listeners plenty of joy this February!





Written By: Andrew Smith
Directed By: Nicholas Briggs


Featuring Colin Baker as the Sixth Doctor and Lisa Greenwood as Flip

This the second story in the 2014 Sixth Doctor and Flip trilogy (renamed in light of the upcoming and much anticipated Sixth Doctor and Peri trilogy coming up, also the first Main Range trilogy to feature Peri),at two discs long

Synopsis:

Space travellers are warned to keep away from the area of the planet Asphya and its unremarkable moon Erys. Not the best place to materialise the TARDIS, then – as the Doctor discovers when his ship is raided by the imp-like Drachee, and his companion Flip is carried away…

But the TARDIS isn’t the only stricken vessel in the region. Aboard a nearby space yacht, the Doctor encounters a woman who holds in her head the secret of Erys – a secret suppressed by amnesia, or worse.

Flip, too, is about to learn Erys’ secret. But once you know Erys’ secret, you can never escape.

CAST:

Colin Baker (The Doctor), Lisa Greenwood (Flip Jackson), Nicola Sian (Sarra Vanser/Female Drachee), Tori Hart (Lona), Chris Overton (Terrill/Levek), Brian Shelley (Renval/Erys), Glynn Sweet (Elgin Vanser)



Preparatory listening: Most likely an idea of who Flip is will be all the prior knowledge you need to come to this one. May be some reference to Antidote To Oblivion, the previous story, but not enough to affect the story in any way.



Written By: Ian Potter
Directed By: Lisa Bowerman

A one disc enhanced audio book performed by William Russell, primarily as Ian Chesteron, and John Banks as Gerrard.

Synopsis:

After travelling with the Doctor through time and space, Ian Chesterton is back in his own time. But the mystery of how he and Barbara Wright disappeared in the year 1963 has alerted the authorities – and both are suspected of being enemy agents in the Cold War.

Ian protests his innocence. He has a story to tell about travelling through time and space.

And one adventure in particular – a visit to the city of Hisk…

CAST:

William Russell (Ian Chesterton), John Banks (Gerrard)



Preparatory listening: I would say very little, as the Companion Chronicles very rarely depend on other stories to enjoy, and those have a handy recap in one form or another, like the Sara Kingdom and Oliver trilogies penned by Simon Guerrier.




Written By: Alan Barnes
Directed By: Nicholas Briggs

Synopsis:

A close encounter with a stray missile leads the Doctor to materialise his TARDIS on a planet that hangs in the dark at the edge of the known universe. A planet so dark that it exists in near-permanent night. A planet that enjoys just a single day’s light once every thousand years…

Exactly what happens on the planet in its rare daylight hours – that’s what a geographical survey headed by Senior Tutor Bengel is stationed here to establish. They, the Doctor and Leela are about to discover that when daylight comes, the White Ghosts rise…

So don’t be afraid of the dark. The cover of night is a mercy.

CAST:

Tom Baker (The Doctor), Louise Jameson (Leela), Virginia Hey (Bengel), Bethan Walker (Aranda), Gbemisola Ikumelo (Morandi), James Joyce (Candelli/Harvester)



Preparatory listening: Seemingly none. Just a passing familiarity with the Fourth Doctor and Leela




Written By: Nicholas Briggs, Alan Barnes, Matt Fitton Directed By: Nicholas Briggs

A four disc box set (with a fifth disc housing the behind the scenes documentary) featuring Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor, Ruth Bradley as Molly O’Sullivan, Nicola Walker (from Spooks, yes I heard) as Liv Chenka, Alex MacQueen as the Master and David Sibley as The Eminence. A follow up the hit Dark Eyes

Synopsis:

When the Doctor defeated the Dalek Time Controller and its Time Lord ally, the timelines shifted and events changed... but the danger is far from over. And new threats to the continued safety of the universe are emerging.

Molly O'Sullivan carried on with her life as a nursing assistant in World War One. She probably thought she would never see the Doctor in his 'Tardy-box' again...

From the Dalek occupied planet Nixyce VII through Earth's history and to the very edge of the universe, the Doctor's footprints across eternity are being tracked by foes old and new. But when did it all begin and when will it end? Living his life through the complexities of time travel, the Doctor can never be quite sure if he's experiencing his life in the most helpful order. The only certainty appears to be the advance of the powers of evil and the oncoming threat of a fight to the death against forces that would destroy everything the Doctor holds dear.

Part 1: The Traitor
by Nicholas Briggs


Nixyce VII is under Dalek occupation. For many, their only hope of survival is decent medical care, as slave working conditions under the Dalek regime are appalling. But when you help people to survive under the rule of the Daleks, are you actually helping the Daleks? Med-tech Liv Chenka doesn't have the luxury of pondering these dilemmas. She must just do what she feels is right.

But then there are the soldiers of last resort... The freedom fighters left behind to cause maximum damage to the Dalek war effort, at whatever cost. To them, anyone who seems to be helping the Daleks is a traitor.

And when the Doctor arrives, his secret agenda throws him into conflict with everyone.

Part 2: The White Room
by Alan Barnes


Molly O'Sullivan is still trying to help people, but now she is back in London, staying in Baker Street.

But there are dangerous forces abroad. Where are the young deserters disappearing to? Who are the Huntsmen? And what is really going on at the Blackwell Convalescent Home?

Perhaps the mysterious 'Surgeon General' has the answers. To find out, the Doctor must tackle an old and baffling enemy.

Part 3: Time's Horizon
by Matt Fitton


The Doctor and Molly find themselves at the very edge of creation. But something dangerous seems to be heading back into the known universe from the very end of time.

The crew of the cryo-ship Orpheus, including its medical officer Liv Chenka, have their mission parameters to adhere to; but the arrival of the Doctor and Molly changes everything. An ancient and terrible force is on a collision course with them all and the outcome seems to be a matter of divine destiny.

Part 4: Eyes of the Master
by Matt Fitton


The Doctor, Liv and Molly arrive back on Earth in the 1970s to investigate the Ides Institute. The timelines have shifted since the Doctor and Molly first travelled here and all is not as it was. Dr Sally Armstrong is still working for the Ides, but her associate has a devastating plan in mind.

Soon, Molly's 'dark eyes' prove to be at the centre of a plot to seize control of all life in the universe.

CAST:

Paul McGann (The Doctor), Ruth Bradley (Molly O'Sullivan), Nicola Walker (Liv Chenka), Alex Macqueen (The Master), David Sibley (The Eminence), Nicholas Briggs (The Daleks)



Preparatory listening: See my preview here.




Written By: Gary Russell

A novel set during the events of the box set Missing Persons.

Synopsis:

Dear Peter

Hope this finds you. Goodness only knows how. But these things have a way of working out. Sometimes.

Look, I'm on this huuuuge dreadnought ship with Jack, lost in space. And it's got a hole in the middle. I mean, who builds a ship with a hole in it? Well, presumably someone did.

Not that I'm surprised - the Robot pilot's a drunk, the doctor's a vet and the cook is a Madras (literally - the guy making our dinner is a living curry) and the priest is a born-again atheist. I ask you - how do I get into these situations? No, no don't answer that.

Anyway, the hole in the ship is getting larger, I have to get the passengers (ie prisoners) from one end to the other, and it's about to crash into a living sun (don't ask).

People are disappearing into the hole, and then coming back. But different. Not quite so nice (and they were no bundles of fun to start with).

Oh yes, and then there's the monsters. They were locked up.  Then they weren't. Which Jack says is my fault. Which may be true. And they want to eat us.

Quite why they call this ship The Adorable is, frankly, beyond me.

Anyway, assuming I survive monsters, holes, criminals and a walking curry, hope to see you soon.

Much love

Mum.

aka Professor Bernice Summerfield

aka Prisoner 442

Damn. Forgot to mention the "I'm here 'cos I murdered someone" bit…



Preparatory listening: Probably any Bernice Summerfield audio from Epoch, but from Legion especially to know who the characters are. The writer has also included some mentions and references to characters from the single CD releases, but a quick Tardis Wikia browse should give you a decent idea of who they are. The tie-in novels seem not to link into the plots of the corresponding box sets very deeply though, enough that a read of the release page for the box set should be sufficient. Again, a preview for the Missing Persons box set here.




Written By: James Goss Directed By: David Darlington and Darren Gross

A one disc full cast audio drama

Synopsis:

“My name is Maggie Evans, and this is the end of my story.”

Collinsport is over. And, after recent events, Maggie Evans just doesn't care any more.
She grew up here, she fell in love here, she grieved here. But no more. Maggie wants out.

But there's a problem as this town won't let her go. Collinsport has unfinished business with Maggie.

Maggie finds herself trapped in the empty streets, pursued by an old friend who wants only one thing. To make her happy.

But Maggie Evans doesn't believe in happy endings any more.

CAST:

Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie Evans), Jonathon Marx (Sheriff Jim Hardy), Colin Baker (Gerald Conway), Ryan Wichert (Leviathan Voices), Barra Collins (James Moore), James Lawrence (Doctor James Balthazar)



Preparatory listening: Being unfamiliar with the series, a passing knowledge would most likely be most helpful.




Written By: Mark Wright Directed By: John Ainsworth

A one disc full cast audio drama based on the popular game.

Synopsis:

Sandpoint. An ordinary town on the Lost Coast of Varisia. When Ezren, Merisiel, Valeros and Harsk arrive, seeking rest from their adventures, it seems the town’s annual Swallowtail Festival will give them what they need – until goblins attack during a ceremony to consecrate the town’s rebuilt church.

After defending Sandpoint, the adventurers discover a sinister plot to return an ancient evil to Varisia. Can they discover the sinister connection between the goblin attack and the removal of mortal remains from a crypt in the town’s graveyard?

This is just the beginning of a new quest for the iconic Pathfinder characters Ezren, Merisiel, Valeros and Harsk. The Rise of the Runelords begins with burnt offerings – and only four heroes stand against it.

CAST:

Trevor Littledale (Ezren), Ian Brooker (Harsk), Stewart Alexander (Valeros), Kerry Skinner (Merisiel), Yuriri Naka (Ameiko), Toby Longworth (Hemlock), Kevin Shen (Tsuto), Katarina Olsson (Nualia), Duncan Wisbey (Foxglove), Helen Goldwyn (Deverin), Sunny Ormonde (Townswoman)



Preparatory listening: Being unfamiliar with the series, a passing knowledge would most likely be most helpful.

Note: this release was held back a month for a later release to coincide with a better time to promote the range





Written By: Andrew Smith Directed By: Ken Bentley

A one disc full cast audio drama

Synopsis:

Blake and the crew of the Liberator have a new mission - and their target is on the Straxis, a planet also known as Battleground 9.

Because Straxis is a training ground for thousands of Federation troops, and the Liberator has journeyed directly into their sights.

Has Blake finally picked a battle he cannot possibly win?

CAST:

Gareth Thomas (Roj Blake), Paul Darrow (Kerr Avon), Michael Keating (Vila Restal),Jan Chappell (Cally), Sally Knyvette (Jenna Stannis), Alistair Lock (Zen/Orac), Dan Starkey (Voss Ferrell), Tim Bentinck (Abel Garmon), Abigail Hollick (Alexa)



Preparatory listening: Being unfamiliar with the series, a passing knowledge would most likely be most helpful. The first story may link into it in some way





Written By: Simon Guerrier, Eddie Robson and James Swallow

A three disc box set performed by characters from the Blake’s 7 TV show

Synopsis:

Spy by Simon Guerrier
Starring Jan Chappell as Cally, Michael Keating as Vila and Gemma Whelan as Arta
Cally and Vila are undercover on the Federation-controlled world Cortol Four. It's a mission with an irresistible prize. And it's a mission that goes horribly wrong…

Disorder by Eddie Robson
Starring Michael Keating as Vila and Paul Darrow as Avon
Division Three. A space station in the process of being decommissioned. Its archives contain key records of the Federation's enemies - and Vila and Avon intend to steal it.
The Hard Road by James Swallow
Starring Gareth Thomas as Blake and Andrew Whipp as Trel Dekkan
Blake decides it is time to fight back against the Federation - and to fight back with allies.

CAST:

Gareth Thomas, Paul Darrow, Michael Keating, Jan Chappell, Gemma Whelan,Andrew Whipp



Preparatory listening: Being unfamiliar with the series, a passing knowledge would most likely be most helpful.



Vienna: Series One Box Set
Written By: Mark Wright, Nev Fountain, Jonathan Morris
Directed By: Ken Bentley

The first box set in a spin-off featuring a character from a Doctor Who audio, Chase Masterson as glamorous bounty hunter Vienna Salvatori. Three stories at an hour each on three discs.

Synopis:

Dead Drop by Mark Wright

Caught in a skirmish between the forces of the Dyarid Protectorate and the ruthless Chtzin, Vienna is trapped aboard the crippled starship Custodian. Can she stay alive long enough to escape before the ship plunges into the heart of a star?

Bad Faith by Nev Fountain

Wonder of Wonders! On the trail of an illegal faith stealing ring, Vienna comes to the attention of the Church of New Wonderment and its charismatic spiritual leader Bax Spendlove. When his followers start being murdered, it seems that Vienna isn’t the only killer keeping the faith.

Deathworld by Jonathan Morris

On the planet Mercator, Vienna takes part in the Slaughter Games, competing against other assassins to be the last killer standing. But is everything as it seems, and will Vienna finally discover the truth about her past?

CAST:
Chase Masterson (Vienna Salvatori), Frazer Hines (Bax Spendlove), Alisdair Simpson (Admiral Salaron), Alison Thea-Skot (Lt Paley/Jamela K’Lynn), James Hayward (Ensign Roaig), Rachel Atkins (Kendra Spendlove), Mike Grady (Parsival/Kreyfin), Andrew Dickens (Malrick), Michael Chance (Shazarel), Mark Frost (Crevo Finn/Darvil)



Preparatory listening: I would suggest the November 2012 Doctor Who Main Range story The Shadow Heart, which introduced the character of Vienna Salvatori, who crossed over into her own world in Jonathan Morris’s The Memory Box (February 2013)