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Home , Barnaby Edwards, Carole Ann Ford, Doomwatch, Janet Fielding, Nevermore (audio drama), Nicola Bryant

ISSUE #18 AUGUST 2010 FREE! NOT FOR RESALE

EIGHTIES REVIVAL on regaining his old crew and losing the plot

Paul McGann Barnaby on days of the Edwards Graceless Adventures on Textbook Stuff with editorial Yes, it’s me, dear reader! Ol’ Briggsy is up in Legend of the Nottingham making marvellous theatre, so I’m Cybermen here manning the fort. Oh, the power. I could do brought a tear anything. I could cast Alan Carr as the , to my eye, and Nick’d never know till he got back! Bwah-ha- especially in ha-ha-ha-ha! that sublime All right, I’ve had my fun. Actually, last night final scene. this job reduced me to tears. That wasn’t me going And The over the edge after months of seven day weeks Guardian and fourteen hour days. In fact the tears came of the Solar about because of the best possible reason. You System had see, I was listening to the final edit of Find and me reaching Replace, a Chronicle performed for the tissues. by Katy Manning which is due out in September. You see, There’s this wonderful, pivotal moment when Jo the wonderful Alex Lowe & Katy Manning Grant… well, I won’t spoil it. But it’s beautifully thing is, even written, and Katy really goes for it, giving a though I spend most of performance so emotional and raw and truthful my working hours producing these stories, I can that I found it hugely affecting. still enjoy them as a listener. It’s one of the very And I realized that many of my favourite stories best things in a wonderful job when that final edit have been very emotional ones. The Suffering had comes in and one is left with a rousing sense of me blubbing when I heard the edit, with those pride in the production. amazing scenes with the suffragettes, performed And I’m so very proud of Find and Replace… by Maureen O’Brien and . Death in left me feeling sad and melancholy. David Richardson sneak previews and whispers

Companion Chronicles: Peri and the Piscon Paradox A special two-disc Companion Chronicle, which subscribers get for no extra cost... Written by Nev Fountain, the ingeniously- devised tale finds the and Peri arriving in Los Angeles in the present day, where a number of shocks await them... Performed beautifully by , it’s a piece that runs the gamut of emotions – on the surface witty and exciting, it develops into something that is dark and emotional and deeply personal for Peri. And – an added bonus – the guest voice is as the . What? The Sixth Doctor in a Fifth Doctor story? All will be revealed... Colin Baker & Nicola Bryant prepare to explain all Out January 2011

Managing Editor Assistant Editor BFP Administration Publisher Jason Haigh-Ellery Paul Spragg Frances welsh Big Finish Editors Design and Layout Catrin Hubbarde Productions Ltd. Alex Mallinson Marcin Rogoszewski David Richardson Web Editor Alison Taylor Paul Wilson Adam Williams 3 IN THE STUDIO

Once the scripts are in, the producer – and maybe other people – spot spelling mistakes and other errors and ask awkward questions. Lines of dialogue or whole scenes might come apart under scrutiny, everyone pitching in to make the script as polished and robust as possible. Mark worried about how and Zara felt about things In issue 15 of Vortex, I explained how the Songs for the Shy and Cynical, Jason and happening around them, mini-series Graceless came about. On 31 I discussed my new, improved outline. We also David Richardson wouldn’t October, while we were at a convention in Florida, agreed that Mark Wright would produce the series. let me fudge the mechanics Big Finish big cheese Jason Haigh-Ellery asked The next day, I supplied Mark and Jason with a of the time rings. me, Simon Guerrier, to continue the story of Amy revised, two-page outline, the setting of story two ‘a and Zara from the Key 2 Time trilogy. Here’s what town in the late 18th century – think Poldark’. CASTING happened next… The following evening, the three of us met Once the bosses are happy to hammer out the last details, and discussed with the scripts, the writer OUTLINE whether having a lead character called Amy takes more of a back seat. Jason asked me to pitch him a series of three who used to travel with would mean Mark and director Lisa one-hour stories with a limited cast. By the pool we would forever have to explain in all our Bowerman booked our stars the next day and on my flight home I scribbled publicity that no, she wasn’t the one from TV. – not easy when Ciara ideas in my notebook, all kinds of things that By the end of that meeting, I had the bare Janson (Abby) and Laura might happen to the girls and how they might bones of the series agreed and deadlines for Doddington (Zara) are develop. each of the three scripts. such busy actors. For all That’s always a manic, free-wheeling process. sorts of practical reasons, Ideas are the easy bit, you can just throw WRITING we recorded story two everything into the mix. But making the ideas Then it was just a matter of lashing myself to on 17 March and stories work – structuring a plot, then writing up a the desk and typing the damn things. I’d got one and three over the script – is where it gets tricky. I guess it’s like the roughly a month to write each one, around my weekend of 24-25 July. difference between thinking someone is sexy other freelance commitments, and would deliver I chipped in some (the idea) and getting them to snog you (the them on the last days of December, January and suggestions for the casting execution). See how thrilling and heroic I make February. of other parts – Fraser writing sound. There are lots of practical things to worry James for Marek after I’d By 7 November I had a rough, page-and-a- about when you’re writing audio plays. You need worked with him on a half outline for three episodes, called Falling distinctive settings with the characters moving and documentary in March, Ciara Janson and Laura Doddington as Abby and Zara from Grace, The Storm and Things As They doing things, to disguise the fact it’s all made by Michael Keating after Are. Outlines show the bosses what the story actors standing in little recording booths. You try I bumped into him on a train. I’ve will feel like, how it will play out and what the to keep the scenes to no more than three pages learned to trust Lisa’s ear for casting, and it’s POST-PRODUCTION major revelations will be – and make it easy to (partly because it helps the pace, partly because a thrill to hear clever people bringing my silly Then, I carried away the marked-up scripts and change course before a lot of the hard graft has you can’t fit more than three pages on the stands words to life. Suddenly it’s not a Word document DVDs of the sound files for the sound engineers been done. For example, the second story was in the booths). You try to make every scene on my computer; it’s a group effort I’m just a (normally the producer’s job, but Mark Wright originally set in the late 18th century and ended end with things having changed for each of the part of. has fled for a much-needed holiday). Things with Amy and Zara prisoners of the ‘equivalents characters, while keeping their immediate desires I’m not really required at the recording days, are already moving – the next day, David of Torchwood or The Forge’, including ‘William and fears clear to the listener. You worry about but it helps when there are questions about lines Richardson emailed me and Mark with Jamie Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft (parents of names and technobabble that might trip up the of dialogue (or the whole premise of the series), Robertson’s theme tune. There are discussions Mary Shelley)’, who would then be crucial to actors, and how simply and vividly you’re making plus I get the lovely lunch. about where we’ll launch the series and who’ll the finale. Jason wasn’t convinced, and I quickly everything. You also have to step away from the At 5.17pm on Sunday 25 July, director do what events. But otherwise I’m done, and just came up with something else. machine sometimes to feed and occasionally Lisa Bowerman sat back in her chair behind wait to hear the final versions… On 16 November, at a launch party for Rob wash. A wife and cat and other bits of work vied the great control desk and announced we’d Shearman’s now award-winning anthology, Love for my attention. finished recording. Graceless is out in November

4 5 FEATURE

Paul McGann tells Paul Spragg what to fill me in like a big crib sheet because I can he’s learnt from his time playing the never remember! Typical actor, you learn your Eighth Doctor so far… part, you forget your part, you learn the next one. It’s Time Lord amnesia. You’ve had a pretty relaxing day today. I’ve done ten minutes! It bucks the trend, I tell you. We’re pleased we can give the Eighth Doctor And I’ve been listening to my son do his thing, ply the life he never had on TV. his new trade. It’s nice, it’s good. I’ve enjoyed it. I’m glad too. The Eighth Doctor was six weeks shooting, one TV appearance 15 years ago, so Yes, we gave you a later call time, yet you by volume there’s rather little to go on, it’s quite arrived bright and early with Jake [who plays thin. There was this one film. And he sort of the Doctor’s great-grandson Alex] in tow… hung on in there. But he’s there in the pantheon. Because I was his chauffeur! The only guarantee During the last year he’s even reappeared of his getting here was if I got him up and gave briefly in flashback on some of the new TV stuff. him a poached egg and sausages and put him And I have to say, just on a personal note, I was in the car and drove him here. I’m a father first, kind of relieved because it wasn’t so long ago Time Lord second. – just a few months ago, in fact – sat there with Jake, and Jake was looking on some web-related How have you found the fourth and final Eighth thing and he said, ‘Ere, Dad, there’s some Doctor series? thread or something, apparently they’re going Watershed events seem to have been happening to de-canonise you’. It’s like being made a saint! thicker and faster. With Sheridan [Smith, Lucie] And I said, ‘Really?’ and he said, ‘Yeah, you’re it seems like yesterday she started and now she’s gonna be decommissioned’. So you never quite left. We’ve only just said ta-ra to the last know. Anyway, a couple of weeks later there I incumbent and it’s was on the telly, all a bit sad and “Jake said, ‘Ere, Dad, there’s some but without trying sentimental. We’ve to give you the had some good thread or something, apparently impression that adventures. The last one hangs on bunch of stories has they’re going to de-canonise you’” thinking that one is been… one might either in oblivion say I would say this, but I always feel that they or there at the party, it was nice to know that the improve. They feel like we’re getting better at Eighth Doctor is still part of things. And I think them. Not just doing them but enjoying doing we can – I say we, that’s the royal we – I think them as well. This morning I’ve hardly recorded there’s plenty to come. I’m really happy doing anything but I’ve sat in the booth listening, Big Finish, because it’s kept us going and it’s and there’s a good spirit, you know? That’s kept us in it. That’s the beautiful nature of the important. I feel the last year we’ve just had a character and the programme anyway. It’s never laugh doing them. And it’s not a bad guiding over. Where there’s life there’s hope. principle. If we have a laugh, then maybe people will enjoy them when they listen to them. You’ve also been working with Carole Ann Ford I’m really into them. And I spent spring – as Susan again. at least our spring – over in Australia/New I’m enjoying going back – you can’t really Zealand meeting people, doing a couple of say that in , can you? – going conventions, and people love ‘em. Everybody sideways to the stories involving the great loves ‘em. And the age range of people who grandson and granddaughter. I’m fascinated are into them, Big Finish, it’s really reassuring. by the history, the idea that Bill Hartnell first Kids are buying ‘em and getting into ‘em. appeared with a granddaughter. Seven, eight-year-old kids: it’s fantastic! And 68- When one stands there on stage on your year-old kids as well. And it’s great that they’re tod, yakking to 300 serious Doctor Who popular as well; when I’m over doing those fans, sometimes it’s electric because you ask things, and particularly when I have to do stage these questions about the mythology and there’s appearances, the audience are always having people out there with degree-level knowledge

6 7 FEATURE

about such matters. I’m always amazed that to you, ‘Do you know who that was you were There are some people out there have timelines, essays in their just talking to?’ Not a clue. Ten years ago, I moments where Matt head about what happened when and to whom. just stopped watching TV. I watch sport. I enjoy Smith is very like I never understood it to start with and was never watching football matches and the like. I think . a fan anyway as a kid, I just watched it’s because I know it’s gonna end. There’ll be a But that’s kind of channel, I watched the football! But I’ve really final whistle. Whereas with television it seems to great, isn’t it? If he grown to be seriously fascinated, as much by be never-ending. was able to do it the people, by its adherents, as the stories I saw a couple of minutes of on purpose he is a themselves. I’m kind of because I was genius. He’s touched a newfound… I don’t “We’re going to be putting curious to see what with genius, Matt. know if I can call he looked like, and He’s a bit of a force myself a fan, I don’t you back in with the giraffes” he seems typically of nature. I’ve seen know about anything, mercurial, inspired. him before, I’ve I couldn’t even get an O level in it, let alone I watched quite a few on computer. I thought seen him in the a degree in it! But the last couple of years in was fantastic. A real shot in the theatre. He’s a very particular the penny’s really dropped about it. arm, just what the thing needed, somebody that brilliant actor, Matt consummately brilliant but also somebody that Smith. And he’s And next up, you’ll be back sharing the main really believed in it, that was also a real fan. But never better than Family business: Jake McGann and Carole Ann Ford range with the other Doctors. it’s all there, that sort of quicksilver comic but when he doesn’t It sounds like one of those projects where they serious attack that he had. quite know what he’s doing. I mean that try to introduce wild animals back into the veldt! respectfully. He’s purely instinctive, and I hope people garnered respect really easily then. ‘We’re going to be putting you back in with the You could make the case that some of that speed they just give him his head and let him do what We were slightly in awe of them. And Hartnell giraffes.’ came from your ebullient performance as the he wants to do. had that. I remember he was slightly scary and Eighth Doctor. David Tennant is such a brilliant technician. demanded your respect. And Troughton had Have you watched much of the current TV series? I think with the Eighth Doctor, even though it Again, I say that with due respect, he’s a this rather stern presence, which I love. There’s If I told you I don’t keep a television, would was over so quickly, it was a pilot, so it had a wonderful classical actor, but technically he’s nothing wrong with a youthful Doctor, but every you believe me? Because it’s true, I don’t watch function to fulfil. He was quickly in extremis, and dead on. You could get it in one with him, now and again it’s good to be reminded that the TV. I rarely know what’s happening on telly. there were keynote things, bases he had to hit. he’s like that. But I’m not sure Matt could character’s older than you are. He’s seen a few What’s more, I’m often introduced to people, There was hardly anything that was reflective, always do it first time. It might be sixth time, things. particularly actors, that are really hot on the telly perhaps quieter. We didn’t really get all of the but it’s extraordinary, you know? He’s one of There’s even been times you become and I don’t know who they are. colours. But I know what you mean; there have them. So with Matt you might have to wait disillusioned, there’s no youthful innocence People say been times since where I’ve watched the actors for it, but it’s worth waiting for. He’s got that about him – this is from my O Level Who and of course, it is the same character. Even otherworldly thing, Matt Smith, the appeal, the history. But as I understand it, the turmoil, the Chris Eccleston. Chris has got a very expert look of him. He looks splendid. I was slightly trouble back on his home planet, the things light touch; he’s not renowned for it, but I concerned when I read the first press release, that happened have left their mark. And that’s watched him a couple of times and thought it seemed he got the gig because of his hair; I important. It’s someone who’s witnessed things, that’s some of the best work he ever did. remember doing that, I got the gig because of who’s seen life and death. It’s important, that. Chris doesn’t do charm easily, but he did my hair! Anyway, he’s on his way with it and We love the eccentric quicksilver Doctor Who, when I saw him. he’s still in his twenties, so there’s a long way we love the comic, but often it works best when to go for him. it appears that he’s trying to disguise some He does tend to play dark roles most of Bill Hartnell, the Who, he was my pain, there’s something very poignant about it. the time. Doctor Who – because I’m older than you think And that was very present when I was growing He’s much more than that. He’s gotta be I am! He was probably only in his fifties in the up. You couldn’t have a Doctor Who any more enjoying it, though. He’s like all of us, he’s 1960s, I’m guessing, but he seemed like an old than you could have a vampire character, say, gotta enjoy doing what he’s doing and man. To a child, anyway. He had white hair and as they’re the current vogue, who was just when he does it really shows. But every so forth. And even Troughton seemed old to a blithe, breezy. You couldn’t. A Time Lord has now and again, I’ve seen McCoy do kid, but there was a gravitas to it; you believed to be also deep and dark. I like that. I like the things, I’ve seen Colin Baker do things, in the seasoned traveller. More innocent days idea of that. and it’s the same. I don’t know how it perhaps, but their age was respected. happens but it’s the same character. Their I grew up in a time just after the war really, The Eighth Doctor Adventures continue this month responses are the same, their heart – and most people your father’s age, your with . will be available at hearts – are the same. teachers’ age, Bill Hartnell’s age, had probably Christmas to all customers whose subscription includes done some incredibly brave thing, so older December’s Doctor Who main range release

8 9 INTERVIEW

Peter Davison is back in studio, and loving It’s a lovely idea (especially considering the returning to the role of the Fifth Doctor once peals of laughter repeatedly echoing from the again. With one caveat. “Oh, I enjoy it. I just assorted booths in studio when someone says don’t enjoy this bit where you ask me to talk something inappropriate; Fielding has recently about the stories; this one particularly because been unable to say any sentence featuring the last week Janet [Fielding] wasn’t here and I’ve word ‘snake’ without giggling). had to go off a couple of days because I’m So the team has been reunited before doing this show – Legally Blonde, Savoy today but not – and this is the key part – in Theatre, may be still running,” he plugs without character. Does it take some of the pressure pausing for breath, “and so it’s even more off the Doctor to have three companions confused than normal! around? “No, it makes it far more complicated! “Even when it’s perfectly normal and I seem to be in absolutely everything at the chronological I don’t understand the stories moment!” replies Davison in his best faux- because it’s too quick. So you’re going to ask annoyed voice, adding, “I don’t understand me, ‘What do you think of this story?’ and I’ll this! I thought I would get great rafts of pages go, ‘I’ve no idea’. I don’t know at any point in off, it doesn’t appear to have worked like that any day which story I’m doing, to be honest at all! And also it’s very difficult to follow, with you! Anyway, go on.” because inevitably – and I’m not sure this is It’s not the most entirely necessary – we auspicious start when “You’re going to ask have quite a lot of scenes your interview subject where I run into a room. claims to know next to me, ‘What do you think And when we were filming nothing about the work it I’d just run into the room, in progress, but we’re of this story?’ and I’ll and go, ‘Quick, close the going to gamely press on go, ‘I’ve no idea’” door, we’ve got to take regardless. off’. Now I go, ‘, We’ve been testing Davison’s acting abilities Tegan, Turlough, close the door! Nyssa, Tegan, a fair bit recently; he even played an older Turlough, over here!’ just in case you’ve and more malevolent version of the Doctor in forgotten they’re there. So we’ve cut quite a last year’s . “That’s right!” few of them out. says Davison, the memory coming back. “It “It’s nice to have them there, but I wouldn’t probably means I’m getting more versatile in say it makes it easier. Besides, now it turns my old age. Or maybe they’re just bored with out even Janet and Sarah are confused about the normal Doctor!” he laughs. which part they’re playing. Sarah’s now For this trilogy, Big Finish has reunited the convinced she’s playing Tegan. She hasn’t got Eighties TARDIS team of Tegan (Fielding), as far as the accent yet. Turlough (Mark Strickson) and Nyssa (Sarah “Actually, that’s one thing that’s Sutton). How does it feel to have the entire extraordinary. Janet’s accent appears to have gang together for the first time in 25 years? “It got stronger the longer she’s been over here. doesn’t really feel like we haven’t been reunited When we did the series in 1984, it wasn’t before,” muses Davison, “so it doesn’t feel really there except in the actual performance. like, ‘Oh my God, this is amazing, we’re back In the show, the accent was there but in real after all these years,’ because obviously I’ve life she spoke with a very posh English accent. done stories with Sarah, I’ve seen Mark fairly Now it’s given way to the broad Antipodean recently and Janet I’ve still been in touch with. accent.” Fifth So I’d sort of, in a way, almost forgotten that Perhaps she’s gone fully method. Or maybe it Janet hadn’t been doing them, weirdly. comes from her extensive stay Down Under where, “I think the level of abuse between us in the it should be pointed out, she was born and raised. studio has gone up by a factor of ten,” he laughs, How’s Davison been getting on with his other Peter Davison discusses “so I think it’d be quite funny if they just recorded co-stars? He’s admitted in the past to mercilessly the reunion of his TARDIS all the outtakes and put that out as a separate teasing Sarah Sutton. “I do enjoy tormenting double CD because we’ve been going at it some. Sarah, again in the nicest possible way – I’m team with Paul Spragg In the nicest possible way obviously. “ beginning to sound like Dick Emery! I don’t help

Fight10 11 INTERVIEW

by knocking her confidence; I had to take one of meet Nyssa again, only what was a couple of her lines. I think she had to say ‘intradimensional’ days for them has been 50 years for her. So, and after the third go I think, I said, ‘Shall I say has it felt like being back in the Eighties again? that line?’ “Well, apparently, except I don’t look quite the “With Janet it’s just straightforward abuse, same according to Janet. But then, she doesn’t usually based on country of origin. I believe look quite the same either,” says Davison. she’s just become a British citizen, actually. That’s a bit non-specific, what’s actually Why we let her in, I’ve no idea,” he says, changed? She hasn’t got shorter, has she? “I grinning. “She was talking about how you have think she has got shorter!” laughs Davison, to sit a test, and I said one of the questions before adding, “She’s got louder. It’s a bit like should be, ‘In an Ashes test match, which side that thing from Spinal Tap. Someone has do you cheer for?’ Well, she said Australia, so fitted a volume control that goes all the way up I think we should kick her out! I don’t think we to eleven and I think we should put a limiter on should have her here! her somewhere that goes “Mark, we’re full “She’s got louder... no higher than five…” of respect for each It’s been interesting other. I recently did a Someone has fitted a talking to all four main convention with Mark, cast members and being and he does sensible volume control that goes reminded that Davison things like nature all the way up to eleven” is the only one who’s programmes which is stuck with a career in all very worthwhile and fulfilling, so I feel out acting. “That’s because I’m the only one that of my depth with him. I can’t just insult him can’t do anything else, so sadly I have to stick like I feel I can the girls. That sounds almost with acting!” he explains with a smile. “I was misogynist! I don’t mean it like that. Mark’s the miserable failure at school and really I always been trying to kill me; indeed, he’s could not do anything else if I tried. Mark has probably trying to do it in this episode as well, obviously got his nature, real world side to it; except I don’t understand the episode, so he Sarah just went off to be sensible and bring may not be. It’s post Black Guardian, I know up a child, and Janet – she’s first of all been that much.” an agent and a writer, and now it seems she It certainly is. The tricky thing about reuniting just pummels us mercilessly with her intellectual this particular TARDIS line-up is the fact that inadequacies. I mean talent,” he corrects with when Nyssa left, Turlough was still under the a grin. Evidently the good-natured insults aren’t Black Guardian‘s influence. To get round that confined solely to the booths. and avoid some of the baggage that would There’s just time for a proper plug for bring to the trilogy, it was decided that the Davison’s show, starring our very own Sheridan Doctor, Tegan and Turlough would Smith, aka Eighth Doctor companion . “Legally Blonde, now showing at the Savoy Theatre – unless it’s not by the time this comes out,” offers Davison apologetically. And how long’s it running for? “It’s open-ended, of course, so it could be running in five years, although I think I’m unlikely to be in it in five years. Unless I’ve gone and then come back. I notice Ruthie Henshall is just going back into Chicago, so if it’s still running I might go back for a guest appearance. I’m talking in January 2010, and I’m in it for six months and then it’s up to me, I suppose. Or them if they think I’m terrible! So we’ll see…”

The Fifth Doctor, Tegan, Turlough and Nyssa trilogy began last month with . See right for release dates 12 FEATURE FEATURE

famous works but also to introduce listeners to poems with which they may be unfamiliar. Edward Thomas, a brilliant but obscure poet, seemed a perfect candidate with which to begin. Once I had these initial titles, the other releases were easy to slot in.

How did you choose the narrators of each release? THE STUFF When you read a collection of poems or short stories you get a feel for the author’s tone of voice. For example, Edgar Allan Poe comes across as resoundingly gothic with a macabre sense of humour and a huge love of language, whereas Christina Rossetti seems passionate, sincere and possessed of an unusual fairytale quality. Once you have this author’s voice in your head, it’s simply a case of finding an actor who OF LEGEND matches their tone and sensibility – a bit like casting someone to play So , executive producer: what Was it always your desire to release via Big Bram Stoker or Robert Browning. exactly is Textbook Stuff, in 25 words or less? Finish? We produce unabridged audiobooks of classic Absolutely. Without wishing to sound Are there any people you are hoping to get on board in the future who literature, brought vividly to life with full sound sycophantic, Big Finish fans are some of the most weren’t available for the early releases? design and music. sophisticated listeners out there. They completely I’m happy to say I got all my first choices for this initial batch of titles. But understand the way sound can bring a story I have a list of future readers as long as my arm and I fully intend to start What was the genesis of the Textbook Stuff to life and, moreover, they actively like to be working through it! project? challenged aurally. As far as I know, no one is It all stemmed from the production of The doing unabridged audiobooks of classic literature What are your personal favourites in the Textbook Stuff range? Phantom of the Opera which I wrote and with full sound design and music – so who better They’re my babies and I love them all. I suppose the ones I’m most fond directed for Big Finish in 2007. Phantom to help usher in a new breed of audio than the of are the more obscure titles such as John Sessions’ chilling reading of was intended as the first release in a series of best listeners in the business? A Confession Found in a Prison in the Time of Charles II, full-cast adaptations reading Upon Appleton House or David Soul’s tour de force rendition of of classic novels. How did you decide what A Tell-Tale Heart. Sadly, this Big Finish to record, and in what Classics series order to release them? Were you a fan of all the poets and authors featured in the range never materialized: I wanted to launch with or have you been turned on to some works that never appealed it was simply too two titles which summed to you before? expensive. But up the ethos of Textbook Oh, I was most definitely a fan already. That said, during the during the course Stuff. Dickens is one of course of selecting which stories or poems to include, I came of preparing for it those ‘worthy’ authors across many I’d never encountered before. Textbook Stuff is I read numerous we are all made to study proving to be a great educational tool for me! candidate works at school and then fail to including The read thereafter. But he’s So what have you learnt about the subjects of the releases that Pit and the a brilliant storyteller and you didn’t know? Pendulum, The I knew that the Textbook An enormous amount. For instance, I didn’t know Edgar Allan Signalman and Stuff treatment could help Poe published The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar in a Dracula’s Guest. make his work come alive medical journal, passing it off as a genuine academic paper. Nor I couldn’t help in a way no classroom did I know that Dracula wasn’t the instant publishing sensation noticing that many reading ever could. It we now imagine it to have been. of these stories helps, of course, that The also appeared in Signalman is widely What’s in store for the future? the syllabuses of regarded as one of the After September’s releases of Robert Browning – Selected the main three English Literature examination world’s finest ghost stories! Poems (read by Martin Jarvis) and M.R. James – Casting the boards. Wouldn’t it be brilliant, I thought to In the world of poetry, there are many Runes and Other Uncanny Tales (read by ), myself, to have unabridged audiobooks of audiobooks on the market, but they’re nearly we’ll be taking a bit of a break until after Christmas. But I can these set texts that were as exciting as a full-cast always ‘greatest hits’ compilations: Wordsworth’s confirm we’ll be back in 2011 with more Poetry and Horror titles, adaptation like Phantom? That way they could Daffodils, Keats’s Ode on a Grecian Urn, plus our first non-fiction audiobook. Stay tuned to find out more! appeal both to students and to audiophiles. Coleridge’s Kubla Khan and so on. Textbook Three years later, Textbook Stuff was born. Stuff’s Poetry range is designed to embrace these Visit www.textbookstuff.com for full details of all releases

14 15 YOUR LETTERS write to: [email protected] WRITER’S NOTES

With Nick away, David Richardson and Paul contains the synopses of a further 14 stories Maybe they could continue, or not, but the Spragg are going to answer your letters… following the Night Scholars, Moon’s clandestine potential is there. You guys did the same to organisation. The writer was Stephen Parsons. Klein and I mourn the loss of what could have Guys, Holmes and the Ripper is, hands down, Seriously, this would make perfect Big Finish been for her as well. JOHN DORNEY one of the most beautifully produced audio material, and it seems a tragedy to me if these You already had the hard part explained dramas I’ve ever heard. From the story and stories don’t get made. about how they got their memory back and John Dorney reveals the writing process for provide a two page synopsis – I told him the dialogue to the music and sound effects, it It would also be nice to see a continuation got tangled up with the Doctor again, and now Companion Chronicle Echoes of Grey I could send him a thirteen page one that truly was a cinematic experience. of the classic Eighties series The you’d have to go through it all again to bring afternoon, which he gently declined. When I say this coming from a background as Factor, which starred Louise Jameson and them back. I love Big Finish but fewer ‘it never Writing Echoes of Grey mainly involved I was working the synopsis into a full a screenwriter and novelist, with a lot of James Hazeldine, and which never came to a happened’ stories pleeeeeeaaase. me going for lots of walks through parks script I did a word count of the outline and experience in the audio field. I honestly conclusion. , too, would certainly Also listened to my Dark Shadows in Bromley, working my way through compared it to how many words I had left think it’s far and away better than the bear turning into audio format adventures. episode The House of Despair. It is really good recent Holmes movie and Nicholas Briggs’s Melanie Smallman to have Angelique, Barnabas and Quentin various ideas and concepts. I had a fairly to use – it was half the length. For every performance was outstanding. David: Hi Melanie! We, of course, love all back. Angelique especially has always had open brief – I think it was pretty much just word in the outline, I could use two in the Can I kiss your ass even more? ideas but have to be careful that any new something about her; she’s complex and the word ‘Zoe’ – and from there it was final script. That’s how detailed the synopsis Bravo to everyone involved. I certainly hope projects would have an audience large enough strong and not at all a child or a ‘yes Doctor/ scrambling around for inspiration. Various was. I’m rather proud of the end result. you have more full cast adventures planned. to support the costs of any productions we no Doctor’ character. She drives story. elements came together – certainly, I thought Apparently Zoe is darker in this story. Robert Gregory Browne make. I’m not sure, to be absolutely honest, if She and Barnabas (new Barnabas) are the amnesia was a gift. Any time you have I didn’t really notice until I got to the Paul: And in the month Nick isn’t about too! any of the above would be viable. just as fascinating a couple as she was with some hurdle that should make the telling studio and everyone talked about how What a shame he’ll never know just how Jonathan Frid. Looking forward to more Dark harder (be that the companion having no melancholic and elegiac it was. I suppose awesome he is. On the plus side, at least his Dear Big Finish bods, can I have… Shadows and quite a few other series head will continue to fit through doors for a 1) A twelve-month Sherlock Holmes coming up. I can’t get them all at once but I memory, being dead, or the simple lack it’s my background as a playwright. I want while longer. subscription with 40% new full cast will in time. of visuals of an audio play), you have to to lock a story onto a strong emotional core, productions and 60% dramatic readings (The PS The cameo when Jamie was in the recording view it as an opportunity to do something something real. Zoe’s departure from the Why did you stop making audios? Speckled Band was brilliant!!!!). booth being told to read a script that would interesting. series back in the Sixties always felt sad Was Beevers’ version not popular enough, or 2) And while we’re talking Holmes – restructure his reality, that was just hilarious. So I looked for things I could do with and tragic to me, so I suppose it just felt did the BBC veto any further Master audios okay, I understand that an All Consuming Fire Alis the memory angle, and things that could natural to run with that. She truly does have once the character returned to the screen? (Holmes and crossover) can’t Paul: Thanks Alis! And even if certain events only work with Zoe – and one of the first a lost childhood. Duke Duke happen (Bah! Humbug!) – but what about a never happened, the Doctor will still carry the ideas I had involved Zoe meeting someone It’s been over a year since I wrote the David: We work very closely with the brilliant Jago & Litefoot/Holmes crossover? memory of them, so they’re not lost forever… team in Cardiff, and we’re very careful not to 3) Talking books – I’ve had she’d met whilst travelling with the Doctor, script, so I can’t remember too much of the replicate any stories or returning characters and ’ non-Who books on my shelf I’ve been a subscriber to your various someone she now had no memory of, and process, but I think there were elements that may be returning to the TV series. So it (Vesuvius Club, Something More and ranges for a few years now, and have been that person having to remind her of the time from Fear of , where she is, was a case, with the Master, of not featuring so on) for ever – can we have talking books wanting to start listening to the Bernice they met. It seemed to me to be something after all, seeing a psychiatrist, and the him while he was returning in the TV show. of them please? Summerfield audio stories. Unfortunately, quite promising. desire to make something to contrast with That’ll be loverly – let me know when I can they only seem to be available on CD, so I And there were all sorts of little elements Jonny Morris’ brilliant script for Jamie, The I’m a great enthusiast for Big Finish buy them. Thanks! was wondering: will they ever be available to that built onto that further: I read up on all Glorious Revolution. There he has Jamie productions; I just purchased the Jago Tzvi download? As an American fan, the downloads the character notes, watched lots of her having lived a happy and successful life & Litefoot series one set, a couple of Paul: Hi Tzvi. Are you trying to kill Nick? have been a fantastic way of getting your Sapphire and Steels, and a couple of A whole year of Holmes, plus guest audios at a cheaper price, and without having episodes. Part of the plot was inspired by since his departure. UNITs, and have bought several Judge appearances? None of those things you to pay transatlantic shipping. It also saves reading about one particular continuity But he never Dredds for my son, who loves them. But mention are currently being planned but we space since I don’t have a huge number of error, but my clever solution to it was cut was the having looked at the new ranges, I was shall nevertheless pass them on. CDs around my house. I see that the first six at a late stage… I won’t say any more sharpest tool wondering if there was any chance of you seasons of Benny are available as part of than that for fear of looking even more in the box. bringing to life a series that was piloted some I just finished a marathon of all three Colin/ your summer sale, but it’d be great if I could geeky than I already do! Eventually, I’d got How would years ago and never made (possibly killed off Jamie/Zoe episodes and I really enjoyed all just get them as downloads. a concept which I sent through to David it affect a in favour of Torchwood). three. The plot was complicated but well thought Thanks, and keep up the good work. Richardson. He suggested some tweaks that child genius The pilot story is on DVD as Dreams of out and kudos as that can’t have been easy. Brian Sebby Cthulhu (HP Lovecraft Film Festival vol 2, Great to see my favourite Companion pair David: Hi Brian! It’s something we’re looking into, improved the story no end and I reworked it with perfect originally titled Rough Magick) from Lurker back together! but there’s no concrete news yet I’m afraid. into a fun shape. memory? Films, starring Paul Darrow as Mr Moon, a But, I have to ask, why do you write the Paul: Back to sending out scripts for you, I started to break the story down into sinister agent of the British government against end of these to reset everything as if it never David, and replying to enquiries for me. absurd detail at this point. After a few Echoes of Grey is the cult of Cthulhu. A booklet in the DVD release happened rather than with them together? Normal service will be resumed next month… weeks, David emailed to ask when I could out this month

16 17 FORTHCOMING RELEASES

AUGUST DECEMBER Doctor Who – The Whispering Forest Doctor Who – TBA (142, Fifth Doctor/Nyssa) (137, Fifth Doctor/Tegan/Turlough/Nyssa) Doctor Who: The New Eighth Doctor Adventures – Doctor Who: The New Eighth Doctor Adventures – Nevermore (4.07, Eighth Doctor and TBA) (4.03, Eighth Doctor and TBA) Doctor Who: The Lost Stories – The Box Set Doctor Who: The Companion Chronicles – Echoes of Grey (2.2 – Prison in Space & The Daleks: The Destroyers) (5.02, Second Doctor) – Dead Man’s Switch (11.4) Dark Shadows – Kingdom of the Dead 2 (2.2 Full cast audio) Doctor Who: The Companion Chronicles – (5.06, First Doctor) SEPTEMBER Doctor Who – The Four Doctors Doctor Who – The Cradle of the Snake (Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Doctors; Main Range subscribers only) (138, Fifth Doctor/Tegan/Turlough/Nyssa) Doctor Who – Project: Destiny (139, Seventh Doctor/) JANUARY 2011 Doctor Who: The New Eighth Doctor Adventures –­ Doctor Who – TBA (143, Sixth Doctor/TBA) The Book of Kells (4.04, Eighth Doctor and TBA) Doctor Who: The New Eighth Doctor Adventures – Doctor Who: The Companion Chronicles – Find and Replace (4.08, Eighth Doctor and TBA) (5.03, ) Doctor Who: The Companion Chronicles – Bernice Summerfield – Resurrecting the Past (11.1) Peri and the Piscon Paradox (5.07, Fifth Doctor, 2 discs) Bernice Summerfield – Present Danger (Short Story Book) Jago and Litefoot – Series 2 Box Set (Four full cast adventures) Dark Shadows: Kingdom of the Dead 3 (2.3 Full cast audio) Highlander - Series 2 Box Set (Four enhanced readings) After the Break-Up by Carrie Sutton (Paperback) FEBRUARY 2011 OCTOBER Doctor Who – TBA (144, Sixth Doctor/TBA) Doctor Who – A Death in the Family Doctor Who: The New Eighth Doctor Adventures –TBA (140, Seventh Doctor/Ace) (4.09, Eighth Doctor and TBA) Doctor Who: The New Eighth Doctor Adventures – Deimos Doctor Who: The Companion Chronicles – (4.05, Eighth Doctor and TBA) (5.08, First Doctor) Doctor Who: The Companion Chronicles – The Invasion of E-Space Doctor Who: Short Trips Volume 2 (2 CDs, various readers) (5.04, ) Bernice Summerfield – Escaping the Future (11.2) MARCH 2011 Dark Shadows: Kingdom of the Dead 4 (2.4 Full cast audio) Doctor Who – TBA (144, Sixth Doctor/TBA) The Big Finish Companion by Richard Dinnick – Volume 1 (hardback) Doctor Who: The New Eighth Doctor Adventures – Mervyn Stone 1: Geek Tragedy by Nev Fountain (Hardback) To the Death (4.10, Eighth Doctor and TBA) Mervyn Stone 2: DVD Extras Include: Murder by Nev Fountain (Hardback) Doctor Who: The Companion Chronicles – Boundary Conditions Mervyn Stone 3: Cursed Among Sequels by Nev Fountain (Hardback) (5.08, Second Doctor)

NOVEMBER APRIL 2011 Doctor Who – Lurkers at Sunlight’s Edge (141, Seventh Doctor/Ace) Doctor Who – TBA (145, Fifth Doctor/Tegan/Turlough/Nyssa) Doctor Who: The New Eighth Doctor Adventures – Doctor Who: The Lost Stories – Thin Ice The Resurrection of Mars (4.06, Eighth Doctor and TBA) (2.3, Seventh Doctor and Ace) Doctor Who: The Lost Stories – The First Doctor Box Set Doctor Who: The Companion Chronicles – (2.1 – Farewell, Great Macedon & The Fragile Yellow Arc of Fragrance) The Sentinels of the New Dawn (5.10, Third Doctor) Doctor Who: The Companion Chronicles – A Town Called Fortune (5.05, Sixth Doctor) MAY 2011 Bernice Summerfield – Year Zero (11.3) Doctor Who – TBA (145, Fifth Doctor/Tegan/Turlough/Nyssa) Graceless – Box Set (Abby & Zara, 3 episodes) Doctor Who: The Lost Stories – Crime of the Century Doctor Who: Short Trips – Volume 1 (2 CDs, various readers) (2.4, Seventh Doctor and Raine) Doctor Who: The Companion Chronicles – Ferril’s Folly (5.11, Fourth Doctor) Doctor Who: Short Trips – Volume 3 (2 CDs, various readers)

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