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ISSUE: 115 • SEPTEMBER 2018 WWW.BIGFINISH.COM

DOCTOR WHO RAVENOUS 2

TORCHWOOD GOD AMONG US

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WWW.BIGFINISH.COM @ BIGFINISH THEBIGFINISH HIS MONTH’S Vortex front and back covers are rather T different, as ’m sure you’ll have noticed. To mark the 20th anniversary of Big Finish, we announced an online COMING SOON competition encouraging budding DOCTOR WHO: THE OF artists to put brush to paper (or whichever method they wished!), to ULY 2019 marks the 20th Chairman and executive create something special for Vortex. And here are the winning results! anniversary of Big Finish producer of Big Finish, Jason Our overall winner was Sophie J Productions producing Haigh-Ellery, says: “In July Cowdrey, whose illustration of original Doctor Who audio 1999 we released The Sirens Professor adorns the adventures, and the greatest of Time. In July 2019 we’re front cover. Isn’t it gorgeous? Her celebration of all time has been releasing The Legacy of Time. attention to detail in capturing planned. The Legacy of Time is a These two decades have been ’s likeness, very special production being incredibly fulfilling for us plus the superb background, released to mark the occasion, at Big Finish – a chance to stood out from the crowd. and it will be the biggest Doctor work with so many great And isn’t our back cover, by Who audio event EVER, and talented actors, writers, Simon Brett, rather glorious too? as the classic and new series production crews, and all of I’ve maybe said once or twice how come together. our friends at the BBC. This much I’ve loved We’ll see Professor River Song is a celebration of it all, with since her career began on TV (she meet the first lady of Big Finish lots of surprise returns and was outstanding as a young thing in – the original time-travelling references. Think of it as one ), and I’ve followed her archaeologist, Professor Bernice massive Doctor Who party with interest ever since. So, it’s great to see her and the Summerfield. Kate Stewart – and everyone is invited!” reunited (and look at ’s finds herself back in the , executive badge – he’s ready for a party!). meeting the and producer and writer of The Thanks to all who entered – it Jo. The and Sirens of Time, adds: “The sounds like a cliché to say it was are reunited with the Counter- Legacy of Time will probably a tough task to pick a winner, but Measures team, while the Sixth go in Big Finish history it genuinely was. There were so Doctor and Charlotte Pollard as our biggest, most exciting many good entries, covering all meet Detective Inspector Patricia release, ever! Celebrating angles of the Big Finish universe, Menzies once again. We’ll also 20 years of Doctor Who at so narrowing it down was an travel to the homeworld of the Big Finish, it expertly pulls incredibly tough decision, and Time Lords for adventures on together all the strands from the team who picked the winner – and there are plenty our many and varied Doctor were all unanimous in admiration more surprises in store. Who ranges.” of Sophie’s work. KENNY

VORTEX | PAGE 3 KENNY SMITH PREVIEWS THE NEW SERIES OF THE TORCHWOOD SPECIAL RELEASES, OUT NEXT MONTH…

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CARDIFF’S FINEST ARE BACK TO DEFEND THE WORLD IN STYLE THIS OCTOBER, AS TORCHWOOD RETURNS FOR ITS SIXTH SERIES OF SPECIAL RELEASES.

Above (l–r): Jonny Green and

Us finale, with John Barrowman has had his own input into THE MOST returning as Captain Jack where things are going. Harkness, joined by Tracy-Ann James says: “He had some FUN CAME Oberman as Yvonne Hartman, brilliant, kind, frank notes. He’s FROM HOW Paul Clayton as Mr , very good at, in the nicest way in Alexandria Riley as Ng, Samantha the world, telling you what not to THE TEAM Béart as Orr, Jonny Green as do and why you should not do it! Tyler Steele and “He asked for some characters INTERACTED. as Sergeant Andy Davison. to be included, suggested how When producer James Goss others should develop, was was planning series six with adamant about who we’d had director and , Scott enough of. He was also firm that Handcock, did they always know this time he’d like to see some ERIES FIVE, Aliens Among where things were going to go? more self-contained stories. So, Us, revealed the Welsh James reveals: “Scott and I yes, a god has come to , but S capital had been invaded started working towards that’s just to allow a springboard by the alien Sorvix, escaping their of series six from the middle of for some stories, rather than home world and putting series five. Scott asked me, ‘What it getting complicated. themselves into positions of power were the Sorvix running away “One thing we all agreed including the Mayor, Ro-Jedda, from?’ and we agreed that they’d on from series was whilst also having to deal with run away from their religion. that the most fun came from terrorists – and the surprising And... now it’s found them.” how the team interacted, so resurrection of Yvonne Hartman. As with series five, Russell it’s much more about each God Among Us commences a T Davies, who conceived the episode finding them in a new few days after the Aliens Among original Torchwood concept, and horrible situation.”

VORTEX | PAGE 5 Above (l–r): Jonny Green, Paul Clayton and Samantha Béart

Inset (l–r): John Barrowman and Paul Clayton

HE FIRST episode is Future Pain written by T James himself. How did he find setting up the series with this opener? James explained: “It’s odd – it has to remind everyone where we were, and set up a whole new series of challenges. I cheated and asked Scott for a shopping list of unfinished business, and then worked through it. “It’s set on a really bad day for Torchwood, and it’s about how everyone handles it. It also features the complete destruction of a car park…”

VENTS CONTINUE in The Man Who Destroyed E Torchwood by Guy Adams. James reveals: “Guy those people behind their important within that world and Adams has written something webcams, the ones that work are highly regarded – but outside about a YouTube bedroom warrior from basements of their of that little bubble, they’re taking on Torchwood. It’s sort of parents’ houses, pushing nothing. But it’s very strange as imagining if someone a bit like their conspiracy theories and they claim to know ‘the truth’; video blogger @PrisonPlanet views onto the world through they make these huge claims devoted himself to taking down their social media channels. about everything, but these are Torchwood. How does he see “In that world, it’s possible made from very small places. them? How do they see him?” to be absolutely huge – I’ve “So what would someone Guy confirms: “James and I known and worked with a few like that make of Torchwood? were both wondering about vloggers who are exceptionally This is where we find out.

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“People like that believe they are so big, and think their voice carries so much weight, when it shouldn’t.” See No Evil by is the third tale in the set, and James reveals: “John Dorney’s written a horror episode in which the city goes blind. Only two people can still see – one is Jack and one is Yvonne. Each goes to work saving people in very different ways. It’s great seeing the contrast between the two of them.”

I FOUND WHEN IT CAME TO WRITING FOR CAPTAIN JACK, I WAS WRITING FOR JOHN BARROWMAN, RATHER THAN TORCHWOOD GOD AMONG US 1 THE CHARACTER OF JACK. JOHN DORNEY WHEN A GOD COMES TO CARDIFF, THE WORLD GOES TO HELL… Having been prolific in writing for many other ranges Torchwood are picking up the pieces and carrying on. for Big Finish, this was John’s Because they’re Torchwood and that’s what they do. first foray intoTorchwood . They’ve a city to protect from a whole new series of alien He says: “It was fun doing Torchwood, though at the start threats. Including a plague of sleep, a world gone blind, it was a bit of a struggle getting and rumours of an alien god walking among us. my head into the specific zone. Croeso Caerdydd! I found when it came to writing for Captain Jack, I was writing FUTURE PAIN by JAMES GOSS for John Barrowman, rather

THE MAN WHO DESTROYED TORCHWOOD by GUY ADAMS than the character of Jack. “My script is largely avoiding SEE NO EVIL by JOHN DORNEY the overall theme of the series. NIGHT WATCH by TIM FOLEY Total darkness falls across Cardiff, as if all the lights have gone off. It’s as if the sun has gone out, or RELEASED October 2018 everyone has gone blind – and Download/CD people are struggling to find a CD £28.00 Download £25.00 way to move through the city. “Everyone is in the same Extras Interviews difficult position, and Director Torchwood want to find out what’s happening. Cast John Barrowman, Tracy-Ann Oberman, “People in the dark is a good Paul Clayton, Alexandria Riley, Samantha Béart, story for audio, but it’s not quite Jonny Green, Tom Price the thing I’d normally do. I tend

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to prefer ideas where people up. When it’s not being poetic we’re united in our storytelling. think, ‘You can’t possibly do and heart-warming, it’s also And within these larger plot that on audio.’ To me, that’s creepy, unsettling and filthy.” threads, we’re free to weave our a ‘challenge accepted’! Tim continues: “Basically, own adventures. I love being “I didn’t want to have it as it was Orr’s time to shine, as part of a series-length crescendo, an opportunity to have people the rest of the team battle because it means we get to really describing things to each other. their own demons. I’ve amp up the stakes and probe Torchwood have one pair of written for Orr before, but what makes these people tick. night vision goggles between it’s never centre-stage “Scott and James have them when they’re involved in in any of my scripts, so I was assembled a real complex a car chase, so you’ve got them really excited by this. I love bunch, and I’m encouraged passing the goggles between Sam’s performance and Orr to butt their heads together them, when one’s driving and as a character has such a where necessary – the is trying to shoot!” different take on the universe. characters’, not Scott and

I TEND TO PREFER IDEAS WHERE PEOPLE THINK, ‘YOU CAN’T POSSIBLY DO THAT ON AUDIO.’ JOHN DORNEY

The set concludes with I can think of no better James’s! For instance, this Night Watch by Tim Foley, individual to save Cardiff episode puts Yvonne, Jack placing Orr front and centre. from the depths of night.” and Ng in a corner, and James says: “Tim Foley’s script Tim also enjoyed working within that, you’ve got a follows on from John’s – a pall as part of a writing team. He whole host of of sleep settles over the city as confirmed: “I really enjoy it. The and agendas informing the a strange entity comes to feed Torchwood stories I’ve worked action. Strong characters drive off Cardiff’s dreams for a night. on so far have been part of large delicious drama. I’m basically It’s beautiful and lyrical, and arcs, so we know where the not needed, just put the is about that terrible moment characters begin in each episode, characters in a room together where we’re surrounded by old and where they have to end and bake until bursting and much-missed friends and up. On the surface, that might point! This episode is very know that we’re about to wake sound limiting, but it means different to what I’ve done

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before. It’s weird, cerebral, “Having John in studio, of Doctor Who which featured and this night is going to bouncing off the others, as well Torchwood, with Pauline change some members of as in the green room, really Collins as Queen Victoria and Torchwood forever.” felt like they were part of the as the Doctor. Torchwood family. And it “I’m absolutely fascinated NLIKE SERIES five goes without saying, they all by Torchwood now, and the when availability got on like a house on fire!” response I’ve had from the fans U meant John Barrowman Paul Clayton is back as Mr has been wonderful. I really like had to perform his scenes in Colchester (or, if you’re Yvonne it when fans love something America, this time he was able Hartman, St John). Before joining and are completely into it. to join the team in studio in the team as a regular, he was “When I’ve told people I’m Britain. James says: “We were aware of where Torchwood had doing Torchwood, they’ve asked lucky that John was here for sprung from. He tells Vortex: about the filming, but I explain some of the recordings, so we “I remember the first episode it’s now the audio adventures. As

IT’S WEIRD, CEREBRAL, AND THIS NIGHT IS GOING TO CHANGE SOME MEMBERS OF TORCHWOOD FOREVER. TIM FOLEY were able to get him having a blast alongside Sam, Jonny and, of course he got to meet Mr Colchester (Paul Clayton), which made us all happy. “John’s energy is always infectious, and it was a lovely few days. It’s also been great having Yvonne and Andy developing their storyline from the end of the last season.” Having the leading man in studio was great for the director too. Scott admits: “I’m so glad we could make that work. More usually I have to record John on my own, directing whilst also reading in all the other parts. “There are whole episodes of Torchwood where no actors have actually met, but none of us remember that any more! It’s hard work mentally keeping track of how different actors play scenes to make sure they match, so having them all together made my life easier. Above (l–r): Jonny Green, Samantha Béart And also, it somehow made it and John Barrowman all feel that little bit more real.

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I JUST ENJOY THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE – THROWING THINGS OFF ROOFTOPS AND DEALING WITH ALIENS. PAUL CLAYTON

to play someone who owned a department store in Edinburgh. “I got an email one Sunday afternoon (which shows that Scott works far too hard if he’s sending emails then!), and he said he was reading a script for a new series of Torchwood, Aliens Among Us. He couldn’t get my voice out his head for this character, Mr Colchester, and asked if it was the sort of thing I would like to do. Of course I did! “I read the first episode and thought it would be rather good fun. I haven’t regretted it once.” Mr Colchester has very quickly built up his own following, with his sardonic disdain of Torchwood, and especially Captain Jack. “I think the best description I read of Mr Colchester was, ‘the Terminator in a cardigan.’ There’s a sensibility about him, but I like to call it a healthy disrespect,” laughs Paul. “He will deal with what comes before him, and what he’s faced with. “What’s been wonderful is Above (l–r): Tom Price and there’s now bits of me coming Tracy-Ann Oberman across in the writing. I wouldn’t have the temerity to suggest somebody who loves words and things to the imagination.” changing things, like you hear the power of them, as well as the Paul has a connection with some actors doing on other imagination, it’s great to know Doctor Who which goes back over jobs I’ve done, when they come that so many people are listening a decade – apart from appearing out with lines like, ‘That’s not and drawing the pictures for onscreen in Planet of the . the kind of thing I would say’; themselves in their own minds. He recalls: “I did an animated I believe you should say what “These days, everything seems Doctor Who, The Infinite Quest, the writer has given you. to be done with computers, years ago, I also did a Big Finish “But that said, little things but with the CGI they have with (), do creep in, and I know there’s I occasionally feel short- and I did a Dorian Gray for bits of me from conversations changed – it’s nice to leave some Big Finish – they wanted me I’ve had with Scott and James;

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knowing things about me volume was even released, so work seriously, if not ourselves, and my phraseology. this was the first time we got to and it just results in a really “The reaction to him has been record actually knowing what lovely, relaxed atmosphere.” fantastic – thanks to the many the fans had made of it all. Scott has been carefully people who have taken to “And that was great, because choosing his words, and grins: to say nice things, or written the reaction to those first three “I really don’t know how much about him on their blogs. They sets was so positive, meaning I can give away. The joy of these love the character and have we knew what people liked stories is nothing is guaranteed. taken to him very quickly, and and what they didn’t, and “We said last time that not the fans have been very kind that we were on the right everyone made it out of the about how I bring him to life. track. It gave us all an added previous series alive, and that “I just enjoy the whole confidence, I think. A feeling still stands, but we’re obviously experience – throwing things of a job well done. But also the keen not to give anything away off rooftops and dealing with pressure of wanting to keep up about who or how, or what aliens who have their life support that quality going forward. else might happen along the systems in their suitcases, and “The atmosphere’s always way. All I’ll say is, reading the

THANKS TO THE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE TAKEN TO TWITTER TO SAY NICE THINGS PAUL CLAYTON

then talking about the normal great, especially with returning scripts, frozen lasagne brought things in life. That’s what’s so cast members – not only the a lump to my throat…” beautiful about Torchwood.” new team, but also recurring And looking ahead, James says: For Scott, it was a joy to be back characters like Ro-Jedda “God Among Us Part 2 sees a new working with the Torchwood and Colin, and now we’re member join the team at Russell’s team. But he says: “It was introducing a god into the mix! royal command! It also sees a lot strange coming back. We’d “It’s a really tight cast, of rain. There are some stories recorded so much with the new which makes it even more that will, hopefully, feel very team, it felt like coming home. welcoming for newcomers current. There’s a submarine, But those first 12 stories were who join us for just a single a big explosion, and someone all recorded before the first episode or two. We take the borrows Tyler’s body.”

VORTEX | PAGE 11 KENNY SMITH IS READY FOR RAVENOUS 2…

UR JUMPS around the we haven’t been to before. together as an ongoing story.” Eighth Doctor’s timeline “That was always one of the Producer David Richardson O continue this month with primary goals for Ravenous, explains how the story came the release of Ravenous 2. After to have as much variety in about: “Liv Chenka has always confronting the dangers of the the storytelling as we could, been close to my heart. I’d actually Eleven and a revived Kandy Man in but always with a theme in cast in the role Ravenous 1, the Doctor and Liv mind: the things we all fear.” back when she first appeared Chenka were reunited with their Matt Fitton, writer of series in , and I’d asked lost friend, Helen Sinclair. And two opener Escape From Kaldor, Nicholas Briggs if we could make now they’re back together, surely adds: “We all got involved with her an ongoing , nothing can possibly go wrong? the planning of this series, which he did in Dark Eyes 2. , director and myself, David Richardson and “So I was delighted to take script editor of this second John Dorney with Ken script over producing the Eighth series explains: “We’re trying editing to make sure the episodes Doctor range with Dark Eyes 3, to have a lot more fun and all work after we’ve done our and it’s been great to be able to explore story worlds we feel outlines, and ensuring it all fits plan out the development of

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her character with the writers over such a long span of time. “I always knew that we should take Liv home at some point – and here it is. In Escape From Kaldor, the first adventure in this set, Liv is back on her home world. We meet her sister, there are of Death, and – for Liv – this is a seismic episode. The really fun thing is that we’re not quite letting on yet why this is a seismic episode… but trust me, you’re going to love what lies ahead!” Matt continues: “David said he wanted to take Liv back to Kaldor and for her to encounter the robots again. This is the first time the Doctor has visited there since the original story – assuming took place on Kaldor. “From that premise, we decided we would introduce Liv’s sister, so we told Nicola about it and asked who she would like to play her sister. She came up with a list Above (l–r): Hattie Morahan, Nicola Walker and and Claire Rushbrook – who you might remember as Ida Scott in The Impossible Planet – was on mythical anti-Santa Claus figure it. And they’re great together. I ALWAYS from Central European folklore “The robots are supposed to KNEW THAT WE who, during the festive period, put us at ease, to be comforting punishes children who have and help you, but because of SHOULD TAKE LIV misbehaved. that, it also makes them quite HOME AT SOME The second and third disturbing, I feel. John Dorney POINT – AND HERE adventures, Better Watch Out and is doing the voices of some of Fairytale of Salzburg, have both the robots, and he’s very good IT IS. IN ESCAPE been written by John Dorney. at it. He knows how to do it. FROM KALDOR. He tells Vortex: “I think the “We’ve also got something Krampus is something that DAVID RICHARDSON different in there this time, as I seemed really obvious to do. About thought it would be interesting to a year ago, it featured in a Short have a with a female voice.” events of the first box set, we Trip, but I’m doing something that Unlike the previous Eighth now have Helen back on board covers a very different territory. Doctor box sets, Dark Eyes and the TARDIS. The Doctor wants “The Krampus has been Doom Coalition, there is more to give Helen and Liv a break, surprisingly underused, given of a loose connection to the so he thinks a nice way to do it the amount of in Ravenous. would be to visit Liv’s home. Christmas specials there are. It Matt explains: “We want to tell “The Eighth Doctor can be so might be because it’s just too scary some standalone stories in this eager to please his friends, but and little bit too terrifying for series, and as I wrote the first sometimes, he just doesn’t get it.” Christmas. The fact it’s not been in one, we touch on the arc, but not Doctor Who as yet was one of the much more than that. As the series AVENOUS 2 is being main reasons I wanted to do it. goes on, it will become clear what released in October but “I was on holiday in Salzburg the Ravenous actually are. You’ll R the second adventure has in Austria last year and saw the certainly know by the final story in a slightly more seasonal feel, with Krampus Run. I knew I was booked this set just where things are going! more than a hint of Christmas to it in to write for Ravenous 2, and as “I get to start things off in a as the Doctor and his friends I was walking about during this slightly calmer way. After the encounter the Krampus, the festival, in a beautiful, incredible

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city, there were these demonic Christmas, and I let my mind tick running through it. over until I came up with the plot. “If you are a Doctor Who “Another inspiration came script writer and don’t think when I was in an Oxfam in that was worth doing a story Stevenage and they were about, then you’re missing a trick! asked by a customer if they They volunteered themselves had a certain film in stock. as Doctor Who monsters! When I heard mention of that “I emailed David Richardson film – which I won’t name – it immediately to ask when brought everything together Ravenous 2 was going to come in the way I wanted it to.”

DOCTOR WHO RAVENOUS 2

RELEASED October 2018 Download/CD CD £23.00 Download £20.00 Extras Bonus Disc Director Ken Bentley Cast Paul McGann, Nicola Walker, Hattie Morahan

Above (l–r): Ewan Goddard, Kate Rawson, Jamie Newall, Nicola Walker, Hattie Morahan and Carla Mendonça ESCAPE FROM KALDOR BY MATT FITTON BETTER WATCH OUT BY JOHN DORNEY FAIRYTALE OF SALZBURG BY JOHN DORNEY out, and when he told me it was Writing the middle parts of SEIZURE October, that felt it was close a box set of adventures was BY GUY ADAMS enough to Christmas for me!” something new for John, who The appearance of the Krampus has previously written the first – a horned beast – could have and last parts, but never the made them easy monsters to work second and third together. He into the Doctor Who universe, says: “I remember having a chat by relying on existing beings. in the initial stages where I was But John admits: “I wanted to talking about how I hadn’t had avoid anything too obvious with a chance to do a story with two them. Just from the look of them, hour-long episodes, rather than I SPENT A LOT it would have been easy to make two single hours, or a standard OF TIME IN JANUARY them the daemons, but that just four-parter of 30 minute episodes. felt like a lazy, cheap way to do it, “The two hour-long episodes AND FEBRUARY THIS so I had to find an alternative. do lean towards a different YEAR, DRIVING “I spent a lot of time in January structure which might not seem AROUND AND and February this year, driving obvious, but as a writer there’s around and playing an album of a huge difference as you’re not PLAYING AN ALBUM Christmas songs on a loop, to get building towards the OF CHRISTMAS myself into the right headspace. in the four episode structure. “It’s great music to to, as “It has something of a puzzlebox SONGS ON A LOOP. you can become so wrapped up in structure, as it’s non-chronological JOHN DORNEY

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for a good chunk of it. But suddenly, it all makes sense in the last couple of scenes, though it does require a good degree of I WAS CHANNELLING SHIRLEY patience from the listener.” JACKSON, WHO WROTE THE HAUNTING

OF HILL HOUSE. GUY ADAMS N THE box set’s concluding tale, we finally get to meet I the titular creatures of the series as Seizure, by Guy Adams, introduces the Ravenous. David explains: “In Seizure, the Ravenous arc goes into high gear. We finally discover what they are, what they are after and why the Doctor is so very afraid of them. Guy Adams has written a proper scary episode of Doctor Who. It drips with atmosphere and threat, and George Asprey is astonishing as the Ravenous. Make sure to listen to this one from !” Director Ken adds: “This is the first time we meet the Ravenous, and working with an actor to figure out how to play a new creature, , or villain is always exciting. George Asprey is a wonderful actor with buckets of energy, so I knew he’d do something amazing. It was thrilling to sit back and watch

unsettling as we they are.” leads if there’s anybody they’d like GUY ADAMS Guy adds: “I had heard a little to work with, and when we asked bit about what was going on and Nicola who she might like to play HAS WRITTEN A it all sounded wonderful. The Liv’s sister, Nicola suggested Claire PROPER SCARY Ravenous series has a very slight Rushbrook and we leapt at the EPISODE OF DOCTOR foot in terror, particularly the chance to cast her. second box set, and there’s quite a “If memory serves Siân WHO. IT DRIPS WITH horrific overtone to it – and that’s Phillips was David Richardson’s ATMOSPHERE AND my world, my background. suggestion. Big Finish have “I had the opportunity to worked with Siân before, and THREAT. DAVID RICHARDSON take the Eighth Doctor, who I when you discover who she’s adore, into this territory, with an playing I’m sure you’ll agree him bring the Ravenous to life. unusual haunted house story. she’s perfect for the role. “I’m always fascinated to find “I was channelling Shirley “But I’m particularly proud out what listeners think of a new Jackson, who wrote The Haunting of casting Raad Rawi as the monster. David Richardson came of Hill House. It’s a real joy to think bishop. It’s such a lovely and up with the idea of the Ravenous, of something like that, and take appropriate bit of casting and and they have a very specific Doctor Who into that territory. I Raad plays the part beautifully.” role to play. The response to the also get to introduce the Ravenous, David concludes: “We’re Ravenous should be visceral, for which was a joy. Those were already underway on Ravenous everybody, the characters in the fun conversations, getting to set 3. I’ve seen a synopsis of the story and for the listener. Fear is something up. The whole story first episode, and really exciting an aspect of Doctor Who that we is an operation in unsettling!” ideas are flying around for the all fondly remember as children, second – it should be a real but it’s hard to recreate that primal HEN IT comes to bringing pleaser and a perfect fit for Big feeling in adults, so I’m keen to in the guest casts, Ken Finish’s anniversary year. There find out if the Ravenous are as W reveals: “We often ask our are big things ahead!”

VORTEX | PAGE 15 PREPARE FOR SOME COLD COMFORT AS BLIND TERROR, THE LATEST BIG FINISH ORIGINALS PRODUCTION, IS READIED FOR RELEASE…

O DATE, the Big Finish But really, it’s not. It’s far more Adams, comprising six half- Originals series has than that. hour episodes, produced and T brought us a diverse The premise sounds like a directed by Scott Handcock. range of productions, from recognisable setting, as, following Vortex asked Big Finish senior following the lives of women in the death of her husband, Kathryn producer David Richardson what World War II in ATA Girl, Ellis becomes the new housekeeper led the series to be commissioned, historical life in Rome with at Hodder Hall, keen to embark and he replied: “In six words, ‘You Cicero, to with on a bright new future. Only, her had me at Eve Myles!’ Quite simply, Jeremiah Bourne in Time. The past won’t let her go just yet, and I believe that Eve is one of the breadth of scope continues this the ghosts that stalk the village finest actors in this country. She month with Blind Terror: The threaten to cut her future short. radiates passion, warmth, belief Gods of Frost, which, if a label has Torchwood’s Eve Myles stars and every emotion on the scale to be put on it, would be horror. in this series written by Guy with everything that she appears

VORTEX | PAGE 16 BIG FINISH ORIGINALS BLIND TERROR

in. Plus it’s written by Guy Adams, I love Guy’s work. We all get on “In some ways, I looked to one of our finest writers at Big very well, and we were chatting, American Horror Story, which Finish. For me, this is one of the and I said to Scott, you direct, takes these tropes and stirs them highlights of our 2018 schedule.” Guy, you write, I’ll perform, and together, to find a new voice. I Guy reveals: “It’s entirely thanks we’ll do a horror. Let’s make like doing that with traditional to Eve Myles that Blind Terror it unique, let’s make it for Big supernatural structures and came about. The idea was actually Finish, and let’s make it our own. creating something that would floating about for a while before I’m so pleased we’ve got to do it. be unusual and eerie. Audio is it was one of what became known Kathryn Ellis is a great character.” the perfect medium for horror. as the Big Finish Originals. That way, you have a voice “It was purely because I had AVING WRITTEN many whispering in your ear…” become the go-to person to write stories for Big Finish over Talking of her character, Eve horror stories for Torchwood. H the past few years, Guy – explains: “I worked quite hard Eve had said she enjoyed what I also an accomplished book author just to find her manner. On was doing and liked my scripts – was delighted to create screen, you have a costume and and we’ve become friends. She something new on audio. He make-up and the aesthetics to effectively said to Scott, ‘Get Guy explained: “I’m so pleased. I’ve help you with your character,

Above (l–r): Guy Adams, Eve Myles and Scott Handcock

to write an original horror series, had the opportunity to write three and on audio you really have to and if you do, I’ll star in it.’ hours of horror, starring the sell it through your voice – how “Scott then went to Big Finish wonderful Eve Myles. you pace it and how you pitch it. and explained the situation, and “The thing that interested me “Kathryn is an intriguing when the answer came back, it was that I wanted to take a very character as she’s incredibly was, ‘Alright then – do it!’ So it’s traditional piece of supernatural gentle, but she’s broken, and yet really down to Eve herself.” fiction, the taking she’s still very assertive though Eve confirms: “I was coming a position at a haunted house, lost and grief-stricken. It’s lovely in and out doing Torchwood, and then do something different to be working on something and Guy kept writing horror and unusual with it, so it’s not completely different from Gwen episodes for me. I love them and what you expect it’s going to be. Cooper being so strong, physical

VORTEX | PAGE 17 BIG FINISH ORIGINALS BLIND TERROR

and in the midst of the action, continues: “There’s always an and I curled up and read them. It to find the lovely Kathryn in extra excitement in trying out was a joy because there were no a rather strange world that something new, because there external branding concerns for she’s very happy to be in. are absolutely no expectations Guy to answer to. No-one could “Awful events happen to her, from the audience which means say, ‘This character wouldn’t do and yet this woman does her you can really make an impact. this,’ or anything like that. You best to survive it, so we tell a Whether that’s with something could just sit and nod along, great story. Guy has written a like The Confessions of Dorian and throw in suggestions, and fantastic piece and there was Gray, or even introducing a new wholeheartedly approve of it all.” no way I wasn’t going to do it. team to the Torchwood franchise, “Kathryn Ellis is a gift. She’s the original formats allow us to ELPING BRING the incredibly vulnerable. The way play within new territories. The production to life is sound it’s been designed and written process is the same, but creatively H designer and musician by Guy is completely plausible it allows you huge freedom. Rob Harvey. With the setting of a and you buy into it straight “I was involved from the creaky house, does that give him away. It’s a world of spirits, and outset as it came up during an advantage – a shorthand for the all these characters are haunted, recording sessions with Eve on sound design – as we all know even before the ghosts turn up the Torchwood range, and she what to expect? Rob says: – but the ghosts seem in a much was very keen to work with us all “Generally yes. A creaky haunted better place than the living. “It’s a really complex story, and that’s what I like, it’s not black and white. It isn’t a horror. It isn’t a thriller. It isn’t sci-fi. It’s its own genre – it’s Blind Terror. It’s layered, it’s complex and it’s intelligent.”

UY WAS delighted to work with Scott, as well as G script editor James Goss. He says: “It’s a good production team, we’ve done a lot of stuff now. I know James and Scott very well, either working with them individually or together on various series, like Torchwood, Bernice Summerfield and Vienna. We’re old lags!” Scott says: “James and I have worked on so much together at Big Finish now, and I’ve had the pleasure of directing many a Above (l–r): Guy Adams and Eve Myles Guy Adams script along the way, and that’s always something I look forward to. It goes without on something original. Eve, Guy house is a creaky haunted house, saying that I love working and I are massive horror fans, as though Hodder Hall is something with Eve, but doing something is James who script edited, so that else outside of the usual tropes. wholly new was a blast. It’s a was an instant must for us all.” Kathryn Ellis, who is taking over as team that trusts each other, and James agrees: “It was great fun as housekeeper, will be able to find she’s completely committed to there’s a shorthand when working more than just creaky old beams every role she undertakes. between Scott and Guy. Guy knows and dead rats for . The “We had long, hour-long phone the things that Scott will enjoy and house is lived in, has character and calls before recording discussing the things that he won’t enjoy, and needs to feel homely at . character and atmosphere, caters to one while maliciously “Atmosphere is possibly the even the cover artwork! She’s sprinkling a few of the other! most important part of this just someone who cares so Script editing them was so easy. genre after the dialogue. A creepy much about her work, and I They turned up while I was in a atmosphere is created by clever couldn’t respect her more.” Scott hotel with bunk beds in Cardiff, use of reverb. If you’ve ever been

VORTEX | PAGE 18 BIG FINISH ORIGINALS BLIND TERROR

somewhere creepy like an old army put the sound of anything from AWFUL EVENTS bunker, or a deserted old house, a restaurant to an ocean, your you’ll have noticed the lack of brain will make you feel a certain HAPPEN TO HER, sound. With nothing happening way about it. This in turn adds around you your brain starts to to the immersion factor and sets AND YET THIS make stuff up. I’ll take a sound the listener up for a scare!” WOMAN DOES source like a wooden creak or a roof tile rattling and run it through S WE’RE now a month or HER BEST TO a special reverb. This reverb (or so from release, Eve echo) warps and changes the A teases: “We have an SURVIVE IT.EVE MYLES sound to a point where you can’t attentive audience here at Big really tell what it is anymore. Finish and Guy has written this so “Think of someone standing beautifully. When they hear this, at one end of a cave shouting at the image of what we’re doing – you. Do you think you would the image of the scene – will pop understand what that person was into their ears, and they can saying? It’s the same principle. decide if those ghosts are real. You That creak, by the time it’s echoed can decide what you want to do. through the house might sound You are part of the story as well, as

BLIND TERROR BIG FINISH ORIGINALS

RELEASED October 2018 Download £17.00 Extras Interviews Written by Guy Adams

Director Scott Handcock Above (l–r): Eve Myles, Kezrena James, Kerry Joy Stewart, Joseph Tweedale, Bethan Rose Young and Gareth Jewell Cast Eve Myles, Joseph Tweedale, Bethan Rose Young, Kerry Joy Stewart, Bradley Freegard, like a footstep or your door much as we are telling it. It’s how Kezrena James, Gareth Jewell, opening... this is an auditory you hear it.” John Cording, Laura Dalgleish, hallucination. Much the same way Guy concludes: “We have six Richard Elfyn, Guy Adams you sometimes see something half-hours, and it’s a lovely thing out of the corner of your eye. Your to have for a winter’s evening. brain will tell you it’s definitely The timing of the release of these evil and you need to leave. episodes is quite unintentional, EPISODE 1: SOUL CAKE “Weather is also important. being October, the month of EPISODE 2: THEY’RE COMING A recording of a windy cold Halloween, but should you EPISODE 3: HODDER’S FOLLY horrible day will do a lot for the choose to do so, you could listen EPISODE 4: THE LORD OF MISRULE feeling of your play. We have this to one every week in the run-up wonderful opportunity with to the shortest day. Should you EPISODE 5: AND SEEK audio to walk a thin line between be mad enough to do so, it would EPISODE 6: SOLSTICE imagination and reality. If you pretty much work!”

VORTEX | PAGE 19 VORTEXMAIL Nick: Andrew, we should definitely do more of those. I was HAVE YOUR SAY! so pleased to get EMAIL: [email protected] back. Originally, I was going REMEMBER TO PUT ‘VORTEX MAIL’ AS THE SUBJECT to be his , but I wasn’t available. Then director Jamie Anderson said, ‘Why don’t we get Mark Hardy?’ Inspired! And MILES BETTER, TO then, Steve Foxon went the whole BE FRANK hog with his Cyber music. Just I have loved Callan ever since I such a lovely piece of work with first saw it in the early 70s here everyone in the creative team in . In addition to the working to the ‘nth degree’. It’s TV show itself, I am extremely what Big Finish is all about and familiar with the novels and makes me feel very proud. the short stories, so I was very keen to see what Big Finish A WINTERS TALE? would do with this TV classic. Has Big Finish ever I’ve just finished listening to contacted Alexandra Moltke volume one and have to say I about reprising her role am very impressed with every as Victoria Winters on a aspect of it. They are very true future Dark Shadows release? to the short stories and really I would like to see the mystery capture the spirit of the TV revelation – congratulations on of Victoria’s parentage finally show. It only took a few minutes such a dark and thought- laid to rest. Return to Collinwood to get used to the voices of Ben provoking series. provided an answer, but it was Miles and as DAVE INGERSON not the answer. It was certainly Callan and Lonely, and after Nick: Thanks, Dave. Every now not the one hinted at (rather that the roles became theirs. I and then, I find I’ve forgotten broadly) through the entire first would also add that I was about the two series of year of the show on television. impressed with Nick Briggs’s that we did. It’s rather nice to be The identity of her father was interpretation of Hunter. reminded. And very glad you rank all but delivered to viewers Perhaps adaptations of the three Callan, The Prisoner and Blake’s wrapped in a neat package excellent original 1970s novels 7 among your favourites too. with a bow. The identity of of James Mitchell might be her mother is a little more considered for future releases. AUDIO EXCELLENCE problematic, but there is a DAVID B I just wanted to congratulate supernatural element involved Nick: Many thanks, David everyone involved with this as she was said to have died – and particular thanks for months release, Hour of before Victoria was born. your praise for my Hunter. All the Cybermen. It was a near JEFF PLACKEMEIER of us who worked on Callan perfect release, an “Excellent” Dark Shadows producer, Joseph absolutely love it, and we’re release, if you’ll pardon the Lidster: We have actually looking forward to doing more. (over use) of the expression. revealed the story behind Loved the writing, the Victoria’s parentage in the A PALPABLE HIT incidental music was spot collection Haunting Memories – Just a quick note to on, and I swear I’d the 80s well, our interpretation of it, say congratulations on your knocking on my door looking anyway. Sadly, Alexandra has new series of Callan, it really for their synths back. It was so far not been keen to reprise has the character of the wonderful hearing the double her role but we will keep trying originals and is fresh. It joins act of Banks and Hardy back, – and we certainly have plans Cyberman, The Prisoner and even if only in sound. The in the pipeline to explore the Blake’s 7 downloads and is a only other thing I can say is – character of Victoria Winters in great addition. I must say the more 80s Cybermen please! a forthcoming release. Cybermen episodes were a ANDREW WARD

VORTEX | PAGE 20 LISTENAGAIN The set’s penultimate BERNICE SUMMERFIELD release was Private Enemy No 1, and writer says: “I was told that mine EPOCH was where Benny and Ruth RELEASED SEPTEMBER 2011 learned the truth, that Atlantis was effectively a ‘desktop wallpaper’ for the epoch. Atlantis cliffhanger. I think People from earlier stories that’s when Gary must have would turn up, changed by decided to treat Atlantis as the epoch. I’d see the world if it was historical, but with destroyed, and end with darker forces manipulating literally nothing. Benny and events from further afield…” Ruth are running through epoch opened with The Kraken’s Lament, by Big Finish veteran writer, Mark Wright, BENNY and saw Bernice land herself in a world where the classical TRYING TO characters of fiction were real. CLIMB ON THE Mark recalls: “I think I pushed it as far as I could with things BACK OF A like the Minotaur gag and PEGASUS IS MY the Pegasus. Pegasi? Benny t’s been 20 years since trying to climb on the back FAVOURITE Big Finish first brought of a Pegasus is my favourite SCENE IN THE I out the adventures of scene in the script. I had the Professor Bernice Surprise original Clash of the Titans in SCRIPT. MARK WRIGHT Summerfield on audio. my mind during the writing, Benny’s been with us under and wanted Benny to be cast Atlantis as it disintegrates several creative teams over in that central heroic role. behind them, becoming a the years, starting with Gary Acanthus was a good character new planet, a new society. It Russell in 1998. Along with for pushing the classics was a fair sized endeavour.” Scott Handcock, Gary and the element as he could narrate Judgement Day concluded the beloved archaeologist were various story elements, which set, featuring multiple Bennys reunited in 2011 succeeding I felt gave it an authentic feel.” and her friend Ruth. Scott says: John Ainsworth as producer. Next was The Temple of “It was actually reasonably easy John had concluded the 11th Questions by , to write because each world series of Bernice Summerfield who adapted Benny’s very had its own distinct storyline, – then released as single first adventure for audio. She and we kept intercutting. I CDs – on a cliffhanger. says: “Working in the world suspect it was actually a lot For their first Bernice box of Doctor Who, I’ve been more difficult for the actors set, epoch, Scott recalls: “Gary lucky enough to write for and Gary, as director, because had a clear idea in his head lots of characters that I didn’t they were the ones who had to when he took over from John originate, and you can only keep tabs on all the different Ainsworth of what he wanted do your best to capture their versions of the characters when to do with Benny. Ultimately, unique character. Of all of they were in studio.” that was to have her on them, Benny is the one whose Legion, which would function voice I find easiest to slip back as a sort of new version of into. I know Mark and I found EPOCH IS AVAILABLE NOW the Braxiatel Collection, it hard initially to get a hang ON CD AND DOWNLOAD but with a new team. on the Atlantis setting, so we FROM WWW.BIGFINISH.COM “The problem was that John both went off and watched The ended the last release on for inspiration.”

VORTEX | PAGE 21 OTHERCOVERS

S PART of Big Finish’s 20th anniversary celebrations we invited A our listeners to join us in commemorating the occasion by creating an original piece of artwork to be used for the front cover of Vortex.

Many wonderful entries were received for the online competition – here are some of our favourite runners-up.

ADAM ROWLAND BRENDON WRIGHT

CONNOR ADKINS MARK HADLETT HARRIE AN (LUFIE) MIKE McGEE

OLIVER BROOKS RAINE SZRAMSKI ALAN PEACOCK KAT LUNROE

VORTEX | PAGE 22 COMINGSOON THE BIG FINISH RELEASE SCHEDULE

SEPTEMBER 2018 ■■ DW • THE EARLY ADVENTURES: THE CRASH OF THE UK-201 ■ ■ DW • THE MONTHLY ADVENTURES: (5.4, , AND STEVEN) THE DISPOSSESSED ■ DLO (242, SEVENTH DOCTOR, ACE AND MEL) ■ DW • SHORT TRIPS: THE DEVIL’S FOOTPRINTS (8.12, SEVENTH DOCTOR AND MEL) ■■ DW • THE EARLY ADVENTURES: ■ THE OCCUPATION OF WINTER ■ DW • THE WAR : (5.1, FIRST DOCTOR, VICKI AND STEVEN) OF CALLOUS (BOX SET) ■ ■■ DW • THE DIARY OF RIVER SONG: SERIES 4 (BOX SET) ■ BERNICE SUMMERFIELD: IN TIME (NOVEL, EBOOK AND AUDIOBOOK) ■■ DW • SHORT TRIPS: A SMALL SEMBLANCE OF HOME DLO ■■ PROMETHEUS 3: IN THE HEART OF CHAOS (8.9, FIRST DOCTOR, IAN, BARBARA AND SUSAN) (AUDIOBOOK) ■■ BERNICE SUMMERFIELD: ■■ : MOTHER PART 2 (BOX SET) THE STORY SO FAR VOLUME 1 (BOX SET) ■■ BERNICE SUMMERFIELD: THE STORY SO FAR VOLUME 2 (BOX SET) JANUARY 2019 ■■ BIG FINISH ORIGINALS: SHILLING & SIXPENCE INVESTIGATE DLO ■■ DW • THE MONTHLY ADVENTURES: TBA (247) ■■ DW • THE ADVENTURES: SERIES 8A (8.A, FOURTH DOCTOR, ANN KELSO AND ) ■■ DW • THE FOURTH DOCTOR ADVENTURES: OCTOBER 2018 THE SINESTRAN KILL DLO ■■ DW • THE MONTHLY ADVENTURES: (8.1, FOURTH DOCTOR AND ANN KELSO) THE QUANTUM POSSIBILITY ENGINE ■■ DW • THE FOURTH DOCTOR ADVENTURES: (243, SEVENTH DOCTOR, ACE AND MEL) THE ENCHANTRESS OF NUMBERS DLO ■■ DW • THE EARLY ADVENTURES: AN IDEAL WORLD (8.2, FOURTH DOCTOR AND ANN KELSO) (5.2, FIRST DOCTOR, VICKI AND STEVEN) ■■ DW • THE FOURTH DOCTOR ADVENTURES: ■■ DW • THE EIGHTH DOCTOR ADVENTURES: PLANET OF THE DRASHIGS DLO RAVENOUS 2 (BOX SET) (8.3, FOURTH DOCTOR, ANN KELSO AND K9) ■■ DW • SHORT TRIPS: I AM THE MASTER DLO ■■ DW • THE FOURTH DOCTOR ADVENTURES: (8.10, THE MASTER) THE FALSE GUARDIAN DLO (8.4, FOURTH DOCTOR, ANN KELSO AND K9) ■■ TORCHWOOD: GOD AMONG US PART 1 (BOX SET) ■■ THE DIARY OF RIVER SONG: SERIES 5 (BOX SET) ■■ BIG FINISH ORIGINALS: BLIND TERROR: THE GODS OF FROST DLO ■■ CALLAN: VOLUME TWO

NOVEMBER 2018 FEBRUARY 2019 ■■ DW • THE MONTHLY ADVENTURES: ■■ DW • THE MONTHLY ADVENTURES: TBA (248) 'S CROSS (244, SEVENTH DOCTOR AND KLEIN) ■■ DW • THE FOURTH DOCTOR ADVENTURES: ■■ DW • THE EARLY ADVENTURES: ENTANGLEMENT SERIES 8B (8.B, FOURTH DOCTOR, ANN KELSO AND K9) (5.3,FIRST DOCTOR, VICKI AND STEVEN) ■■ DW • THE FOURTH DOCTOR ADVENTURES: ■■ DW • SHORT TRIPS: THE MISTPUDDLE MURDERS DLO TIME’S ASSASSIN DLO (8.5, FOURTH DOCTOR, ANN KELSO AND K9) (8.11, , AND TEGAN) ■■ DW • THE FOURTH DOCTOR ADVENTURES: DLO ■■ DW • THE SEVENTH DOCTOR ADVENTURES FEVER ISLAND (8.6, FOURTH DOCTOR, ANN KELSO AND K9) (BOX SET, SEVENTH DOCTOR, ROZ AND CHRIS) ■■ DW • THE FOURTH DOCTOR ADVENTURES: DLO ■■ UNIT – THE NEW SERIES: REVISITATIONS (SERIES 7) THE PERFECT PRISONERS PARTS 1-2 (8.7, FOURTH DOCTOR, ANN KELSO AND K9) ■■ SURVIVORS: SERIES 8 (BOX SET) ■■ DW • THE FOURTH DOCTOR ADVENTURES: THE PERFECT PRISONERS PARTS 3-4 DLO (8.8, FOURTH DOCTOR, ANN KELSO AND K9) DECEMBER 2018 ■■ TORCHWOOD: GOD AMONG US PART 2 (BOX SET) ■■ DW • THE MONTHLY ADVENTURES: MUSE OF FIRE (245, SEVENTH DOCTOR, HEX, ACE AND IRIS) DLO = DOWNLOAD ONLY ■■ DW • THE MONTHLY ADVENTURES: TBA (246) DW = DOCTOR WHO ISSUE: 115 • SEPTEMBER 2018 WWW.BIGFINISH.COM

DOCTOR WHO RAVENOUS 2

TORCHWOOD GOD AMONG US

BIG FINISH ORIGINALS BLIND TERROR