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Home , Big Finish Productions, Jon Culshaw, Lucie Miller, Nicholas Briggs, Nicola Bryant, Paul McGann

ISSUE: 124 • JUNE 2019 WWW.BIGFINISH.COM

DOCTOR WHO AND REUNITED!

THE MEN OF WAR RAGE OF THE TIME LORDS!

IT’S MILLER TIME! IS BACK FOR MORE

CAPTAIN JACK SAME HARKNESS, DIFFERENT COAT! We make great full-cast audio dramas and audiobooks that are available to buy on CD and/or download

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isteners missing The work at Department Seven. Omega Factor are in “Then Tom finds out that T’S RATHER well known L for a treat this July in Anne wants him to watch within Big Finish that I love the form of a new story written one of the shows that is I Sheridan Smith. So when by Natasha Gerson – whose going to be performed at the she was cast as I was father Jack created the series. upcoming Edinburgh Festival. delighted as I had been a big fan of The Omega Factor, based in The story which follows is her work for many years. I first Scotland, starred Louise mysterious and traumatic. remember seeing Sheridan in Holby Jameson as Anne Reynolds and Many lives are put in danger. City when she guest starred in half a the late James Hazeldine as There are inexplicable dozen episodes as a character who Tom Crane. Big Finish revived events which seem to mirror claimed to be the witness to a the series on audio in 2015 Adam’s experience in the killing, and I was impressed that making three series set in the present day... You’ll have to such a young actress was able to modern day, with Louise listen to find out more!” give so strong a performance. Jameson reprising her role of She adds: “The Omega I then followed her career with Anne (now a doctor), and John Factor had an impact because interest from guest appearances Dorney playing Adam Dean, it wasn’t just an ordinary in The Royle Family followed the son of Tom. thriller. It also contained by a starring role in Two Pints Festival of Darkness will be timeless elements of the of Lager and a Packet of Crisps. the latest release in a series supernatural, extra-sensory And that’s when I fell in love of original fiction audiobooks perception and science-fiction, with her, long before the rest set around the time of the with echoes of the work of MR of the country did after Cilla, 1979 TV show. Natasha says: James, Algernon Blackwood The C Word and Mrs Biggs. “We start with Adam looking and one of my maternal Late in 2011 my mum died just at one of his father’s case relatives, RL Stevenson. It 41 days after being diagnosed files. Tom has returned to couldn’t fail to fascinate, or with pancreatic cancer. This Edinburgh in late July 1979 even shock, as evidenced by obviously floored me, but the two at Anne’s urgent request. But Mary Whitehouse’s reaction. things that helped me get through he’s there somewhat against She thought it ‘thoroughly my grief were the his better judgement because evil.’ I still love that!” audio stories with Lucie Miller he is meant to be taking a Read by , and TV episodes of Two Pints – sabbatical after attacks on Festival of Darkness is available particularly the musical special. his physical and mental well- to pre-order now at £9.99 This issue I achieved something being that resulted from his on download. of a lifetime ambition by having an interview with Sheridan (courtesy of , who knows I love her so much). When I Managing Editor: Jason Haigh-Ellery Design: Mark Plastow mentioned the above to Sheridan, Executive Producer: Nicholas Briggs Copy Editor: Stephanie Hornett I actually made her cry – and I feel Senior Producer: David Richardson Marketing: Steve Berry, Kris Griffin, bad about that – sorry Sheridan! Editor: Kenny Smith Paddy Freeland So to cut a long story short, The Big Finish Team: Sue Cowley, BFP Administration: Cheryl Bly, I can’t wait to hear The Emily de Fraine, Karen Parks, Brenda Smith, Alison Taylor Further Adventures of Hannah Peel, Alfie Shaw, Paul Spragg Publisher: Ltd. Lucie Miller!

VORTEX | PAGE 3 ORDER NOW AT BIGFINISH.COM

and encountered IT’S THE FURTHER ADVENTURES and Rose as he tried to pull off a con. OF ONE MAN AND HIS Then having reformed VORTEX MANIPULATOR... his criminal ways, he joined them on their travels before being left behind on APTAIN JACK Satellite 5 after the Doctor’s DOCTOR WHO: Harkness – a man who regeneration began. THE LIVES OF CAPTAIN C has become very The Lives of Captain JACK: VOLUME TWO familiar, and yet we know so Jack introduces us to the little about… We know Javic exploits that follow – before n Released: June 2019 Thane grew up on the Boeshane and after he ended up at n Format: CD and download Peninsula. His brother was Torchwood Three in Cardiff. taken during an alien attack; The second box set in the and he later become a Time range features Piece of Mind ORDER NOW AT: Agent. His exploits took him to by , What Have BGFN.SH/CAPSIXIE Earth after he quit the agency, I Done? by Guy Adams and took on the name of a captain, Driving Miss Wells, also by

VORTEX | PAGE 4 DOCTOR WHO CAPTAIN JACK

Right:

“IT’S ESSENTIALLY JUST James. We begin with a story which John Barrowman A STORY ABOUT FEAR – himself teased us with on THE SHEER Instagram when he donned a CRIPPLING very familiar-looking brightly ...” GUY ADAMS coloured patchwork coat... EFFECT OF FEAR James says: “A Piece of Mind is a hoot and a half with a heart, in which Captain Jack meets look good in anything! ROM A story with lots the . There’s a line “And yes, John insisted on of fun, we get to in the TV episode about going for an English accent. F explore the more how Jack’s been waiting around His Doctor is the kind of serious side of Jack in What ‘for the right Doctor’ and we person grannies would Have I Done? James says What asked if he punch on the nose – but Have I Done? is: “A thoughtful could meet the ‘wrong’ one! he’s also very charming.” adventure set in the trenches “As we couldn’t not have Director adds: of World War I, which sees Jack Jack wearing the coat, the “It’s a lovely trio of stories. The determined to save someone’s story grew from there – it’s first, Piece of Mind, finds Jack life against all the odds. sort of Cyrano de Bergerac still waiting for ‘his’ Doctor “It’s a proper character meets The Prisoner of Zenda. to come back for him after piece from Guy Adams Something terrible happens the catastrophic events in the that really captures the to the Sixth Doctor mid-story, TV episode The Parting of the , grinding misery and Jack has to step into his Ways, and instead having to of the setting. It’s also set spats and save the day. deal with – and help save – a at Gallipoli, a battle famous “You’ll be thrilled to hear much earlier incarnation. for being fought uphill.” Colin and John stealing It’s a fun, tender script, Writer Guy explains: scenes from each other, and with joyous performances “The story I’ve written is the photoshoot with John from John and Colin, both of basically a two-hander. in the coat was an utter joy whom get to show a different What Have I Done? sees Jack – proof that that man can side to their characters.” paired up with a young

VORTEX | PAGE 5 DOCTOR WHO CAPTAIN JACK

soldier. It’s essentially just a story about fear – the sheer crippling effect of fear, the sheer destructive quality of fear, the viral quality of fear... it’s surprisingly heartfelt at times. “What’s important when writing about a historical era is conveying the truth and sense of that era. “A lot of time when I’m doing research, I collate a lot of facts, but these don’t tend to make their way in. For me, when you’re writing about an important real Above (l–r): Timothy Blore, event, you want to capture Lachele Carl, Vikash Bhai and Maeve Bluebell Wells

“HE’S HAUNTED BY HIS IMMORTALITY, AND WANTS NOTHING MORE THAN TO SAVE A SINGLE LIFE… BUT LIFE IS NEVER AS STRAIGHTFORWARD

Above (l–r): Sophie Hopkins, AS DEATH. ” SCOTT HANDCOCK John Barrowman, Hannah Arterton and Prasanna Puwanarajah

the truth of it.” Scott adds: HE BOX set concludes fantastic Lachele Carl, who “What Have I Done? is a with the return of a featured so routinely across more serious affair, pitching T character who has the Doctor Who, Torchwood Jack into the battlefields unique distinction of and The Sarah Jane of Gallipoli not long after appearing in not just Doctor Adventures back in the day. the death of . Who, but Torchwood and The “It’s such a small tweak, “Jack’s at a point where Sarah Jane Adventures but makes it just that extra he’s haunted by his – AMNN newsreader Trinity bit familiar, and Lachele immortality, and wants Wells. Scott explains: “Driving relished the chance to tackle nothing more than to save Miss Wells is a paranoid thriller, more than simply declaring a single life… but life is focussing on a newscaster who the end of the world!” James never as straightforward as no longer believes the news agrees: “We all love Lachele death. For the most part, it’s and is questioning everything. Carl’s newsreader (from every a delicate, dark two-hander, “And rather than any old crisis in Russell’s era of Doctor with the brilliant Atilla newscaster, when I knew this Who) and Scott suggested Akinci playing a soldier just story was looming I suggested we give her a second act. as haunted as Jack, but for to James that we write it for “This is a story about a very different reasons.” Trinity Wells, played by the newsreader who one day

VORTEX | PAGE 6 DOCTOR WHO CAPTAIN JACK

“CONSPIRACY stops believing the news and to people – her mother, her becomes convinced she’s boss, Captain Jack – people THEORIES, caught up in a conspiracy who inhabit a world outside so bizarre even she can’t of the newsroom, which FAKE NEWS believe in it. She’s also in the gives her a bit more depth. middle of a book tour and “It ties her more into the AND WHY her publisher has given her narrative yet still sets her a very dashing new driver. apart in a way that shows her PEOPLE GO “It’s basically a chance to more as a person with flaws ON STRICTLY” shine a spotlight on Lachele and vulnerabilities; and it still JAMES GOSS Carl (which she seizes) and allows for a bit of mystery

Above (l–r): Atilla Akinci and John Barrowman

also to talk about conspiracy about who she really is.” theories, fake news and why Lachele, who is no stranger people go on Strictly.” to Big Finish having appeared Lachele spoke to Vortex, as Sheriff Rhonda Tate in the and admits she had never range of audios, expected to be asked to play had a good time returning Trinity again: “Yes, I was to her old part of Trinity. surprised, and it was lovely She adds: “Absolutely to be asked to revive her!” – everyone was kind and She was also happy to professional, the cast were have a role more central to great to work with, it was the story, rather than just all very relaxed, and we just reporting on it. She says: had a fun time lifting the “Again, it was a surprise and a words from the page to life. very nice one. The script was Scott, James and the team well written and it was fun! seemed very pleased with the “What I loved most about it end result, which all made was that Trinity was relating for a happy day.”

VORTEX | PAGE 7 She’s back and it’s about time! Sheridan Smith chats exclusively to Vortex and says…

T’S THURSDAY 23 August 2018. It’s 1.15pm and Vortex takes a call from Big Finish I executive producer Nicholas Briggs. “Hello, Kenny,” says Nick. “Hope you’re well, I’m at Moat Studios and I’ve got someone here who wants to talk to you.” There’s a brief pause as he hands over his mobile to someone else. And then Britain’s sweetheart, Sheridan Smith, introduces herself. “Hiya, I’m Sheridan…” says a very familiar voice.

VORTEX | PAGE 8 INTERVIEW SHERIDAN SMITH

enthusiasm led to Big Finish commissioning a new box set of adventures in The Further Adventures of Lucie Miller. Sheridan says: “I remember time I came in to play Lucie – we worked out it was eight years ago – and when we finished I was feeling so sad. I was like, ‘Please

“PLEASE HAVE ME BACK ONE DAY! I DON’T WANT TO GO! I DON’T WANT TO DIE!” SHERIDAN SMITH

have me back one day! I don’t want to go! I don’t want to die!’ “And Nick said, ‘Well the thing is with Doctor Who, anything Above (l–r): Paul McGann can happen!’ So when they said and Sheridan Smith that they were wanting to bring her back and do four adventures with her, I was so excited! It’s ND IT’S true. Lucie Miller Award for Best Actress in a Play something everyone wants to do – IS BACK in The Further in 2013 for Hedda Gabler; and the everyone wants to work with Big A Adventures of Lucie National Television Award for Finish and everyone wants to be Miller. It suddenly becomes real Outstanding Drama Performance part of the Doctor Who family.” – and it’s been a long time coming. for Cilla in 2015. But despite all Having played a number of The road to the return of Lucie in of that success, Sheridan has parts to critical acclaim since these four full-cast plays has been never forgotten Lucie Miller. she last donned the mantle of a long one. On 5 July 2010, Lucie, it’s easy to image that Sheridan recorded her final scenes AN ATKINS, when while Sheridan might look back as the Eighth Doctor’s best friend, producer of the Doctor on her time with Big Finish and, it seemed, was certain never I Who Short Trips range, with fondness, now that she has to return. contacted Sheridan’s agent in moved on in her career, she has Since then her career exploded, 2015 to find out if she would be no wish to revisit the character. winning acclaim for her roles interested in performing a couple But that’s far from the case. on stage and television – the of his short stories. And the word Sheridan enthusiastically Laurence Olivier Award for came back that she was. Very replies: “Oh my gosh – I will Best Actress in a Musical and interested. After weeks to trying always make time for Lucie. I love the WhatsOnStage Award for to pin down recording days, Ian her! Poor Briggsy has had to try Best Actress in a Musical for breathed a sigh of relief when he and organise the schedules as Paul Legally Blonde: The Musical in saw that the taxi which had been McGann has been so busy filming 2011; the Critics’ Circle Theatre sent to collect her was en route to and I’ve been working – but we Award for Best Actress and the Moat Studios on 28 January 2016. managed to get this week when Laurence Olivier Award for Best The two scripts were we could both come in. It worked Performance in a Supporting subsequently recorded – The Curse out great – Nick was free to direct Role for Flare Path in 2012; the of the Fugue by Alice Cavender in and it all came together – all the British Academy Television April 2016, and Flashpoint by mates are back. I’m so thrilled to Award for Best Actress for Mrs Andrew Smith in July 2017. be here again. But it’s my last day Biggs in 2013; the WhatsOnStage During the recording the actress’ and I’m really sad about that.”

VORTEX | PAGE 9 INTERVIEW SHERIDAN SMITH

TV, and regularly featuring in the TV and showbiz columns of the national press. But she admits that, despite her fame, she is touched by the devotion of the Doctor Who fans who want her autograph or a photo with her. Vortex tells her just how beloved she is to fans of Big Finish, and how much people have taken to the character of Lucie. Sheridan says: “That’s amazing, thank you so much. I get letters from all over the world and listeners bring the Big Finish CD sleeves for me to sign when I’m working in theatres. It’s lovely that people are interested and remember me. I’ve been to a Doctor Who convention so I know what it means to people, Left: Sheridan Smith and I get what people mean about the Doctor Who family.

Ever the optimist, Vortex points out that it’s Sheridan’s last day – for now. “Oh, of course, for now! Exactly! I love that!” She bursts out again into that famous laugh. “I love coming back to her. It’s the best character I’ve played, my favourite that I’ve had I think – Lucy bleeding Miller! “It was so funny on the first day as I walked back into my booth. They were all laughing as I went into my old one, like a well-trained dog. It had been years but it was like no time had passed. It’s fantastic – we’ve been able to pick up the conversation just like a family, and carry on exactly where we left off. It’s just wonderful. “When people are listening to Honestly, you have no idea how “We went straight back into it, their minds can go anywhere. proud I am to be associated it and it was so much fun – I’ve It’s a really nice way for people with it through Big Finish. missed running on the spot to get some new Doctor Who. “I loved what I knew about to get away from ! “I love Doctor Who on telly but Doctor Who from what I’d “I love working here – you doing it for audio recordings is seen on TV, but I had no idea don’t have to come in dressed! just so much fun. I feel privileged just how big it really is. And Well I did come in dressed, I getting to do them. Hopefully, I just love Big Finish, coming don’t come in naked! I did arrive fingers crossed, I can always up to the 20th anniversary in my slippers one time, which come back and do more.” of making audios now.” Paul was laughing at, but you With four new scripts, can come in looking rubbish, HERIDAN IS currently Sheridan admits she’s had a blast you don’t have to learn your one of the most each day but has a real affection lines, and you get to have all S high-profile actors in for the one she was recording these amazing adventures and Britain, starring in a constant on the day we’re chatting. She meet so many lovely actors. stream of successful dramas on says: “I really enjoyed the one

VORTEX | PAGE 10 INTERVIEW SHERIDAN SMITH

Above (l–r): Paul McGann, “THERE ARE SOME Nicholas Briggs and REALLY FUNNY BITS FOR Sheridan Smith LUCIE WHO’S DOING TV, we did get to see Sheridan A ‘DEAR DIARY’ KIND and Paul sharing screen time in The Judas Tree, a Jonathan OF THING.” SHERIDAN SMITH Creek episode in 2010. “That was mad, wasn’t it?” says Sheridan. “I have such a we did today, The Trap, as is done. “Nah. But he’s great relationship with Paul it’s basically bonkers. Everyone going to pay me later!” from doing the Doctor Who is losing their mind, without series, and when I was doing giving too much away, and INCE SHERIDAN last I had a good it really makes me laugh. played Lucie, Paul relationship with Alan Davies. “There are some really funny S McGann played the “When Paul came in and did bits for Lucie who’s doing a Eighth Doctor on TV for his an episode it was so bizarre, ‘Dear Diary’ kind of thing. regeneration in Night of the having my two ‘brothers’ in “I love Lucie and the Doctor’s Doctor. And before he changed, the industry in the same place. relationship – they’re like he mentioned several of his Big But that was really nice, to be squabbling siblings. He’s the Finish companions by name... filming with him. I would love to annoying posh older brother including Lucie. have done Lucie with him on TV. with an annoying northern This, however, is news to “Paul’s a great guy. He’s brat sister. But there are Sheridan. She shrieks: “What? lovely. He took me under his some real sensitive moments No? Really? Are you kidding me? wing. When we first started, between them: they really I didn’t even know that! Oh my I was this young mad head love each other. There are sad gosh, Lucie’s been mentioned from the north. I’m still a moments too but also loads on TV? That’s amazing! northern mad head, but just of fun, as you can imagine. “I remember when I finished not so young – I’m 37 now!” “It’s been incredible. It’s an the audition and I was so excited Vortex thanks Sheridan for honour to be a small part of the when they told me I had got her time, as she returns to whole Doctor Who thing. Nick the part, and I remember them the studio to finish recording Briggs is a genius – it’s great to saying welcome to the family. her last story… for now! be back working with him.” I thought that was nice, but I Sheridan laughs again: Vortex asks if he’s standing had no idea how big it was.” “Yeah – for now! It’s been lovely close by in order to retrieve And while we never got to see talking to you – it’s really his phone when the interview Lucie alongside the Doctor on made my day!”

VORTEX | PAGE 11 ORDER NOW AT BIGFINISH.COM

TIME But all good things must come THEY’RE BACK AND IT’S ABOUT TIME! to an end and that was the case THE EIGHTH DOCTOR AND LUCIE MILLER in 2011, when Lucie left the RETURN NEXT MONTH AND WE’VE GOT Doctor’s side in To the Death. Executive producer Nicholas THE INSIDE TRACK ON REUNITING THEM… Briggs admits: “We always had it in mind to bring back Lucie – we only let her go in the HE DOCTOR and Lucie. first place because we could Lucie and the Doctor. see Sheridan’s stratospheric DOCTOR WHO: THE T Whichever way round you career path approaching. FURTHER ADVENTURES think of them, they are without “After Big Finish producer Ian OF LUCIE MILLER doubt one of the most popular Atkins asked Sheridan to record combinations of Doctor and two Short Trips single-voice n Released: July 2019 in any media – of all releases as Lucie, we discovered n Format: CD and download time ever! that Sheridan was really keen to Over the course of four series, do more. And so script editor Alan Paul McGann and Sheridan Smith Barnes, producer Scott Handcock ORDER NOW AT: became a beloved pairing as they and I started devising The Further BGFN.SH/ILOVELUCIE made their way though space and Adventures of Lucie Miller.” time, enjoying delirious highs and The Further Adventures of heartbreaking lows along the way. Lucie Miller is set between the first

VORTEX | PAGE 12 DOCTOR WHO LUCIE MILLER Below (l–r): , Sheridan Smith, Lauren Cornelius, Carlyss Peer, Bethan Dixon Bate, Atilla Akinci and Paul Panting

“IT’S LUCIE HAVING TO COPE WITHOUT THE DOCTOR. IT’S TRAUMATIC FOR HER BECAUSE HE HASN’T and second series of her adventures DISAPPEARED…” NICHOLAS BRIGGS with the Eighth Doctor, between Human Resources and Dead London. Nick explains: “I have always been clear that I wouldn’t reverse the finality of Lucie’s departure. That would somehow seem like cheating and would lessen the emotional impact of what we did. So my plan was always to revisit Lucie earlier on in her adventures with the Eighth Doctor. It’s pretty much what we do with every classic companion-and-Doctor pairing, so why not do it with Lucie?” Nick has written the first Above (l–r): Paul McGann, story of the new box set, which Nicholas Briggs and Sheridan Smith just happens to feature a race of aliens Lucie encountered on her first trip in the TARDIS. The Dalek Trap sees the Doctor my head for so long. We all fell another episode that was mostly behaving distinctly out of in love with the character and about Lucie. It’d been a long time character, and Lucie having to take what Sheridan did with her, and since I’d written for her but she control to thwart the Daleks and then we expanded our approach just leapt back to life as I wrote. a mysterious force of ‘Darkness’. when we realised that with A truly joyous experience.” Nick admits he was delighted Sheridan, anything was possible. The Dalek Trap gives Sheridan to have the chance to write “That was how it went when a chance to shine from the off. for Lucie once more: “I really we did the four seasons back in Nick explains: “It’s Lucie enjoyed it. I couldn’t wait to get the day. Such a happy time. So having to cope without the started. Lucie’s voice has been in I jumped at the chance to write Doctor. It’s traumatic for her

VORTEX | PAGE 13 DOCTOR WHO LUCIE MILLER

Above (l–r): , Paul McGann, Nicholas Briggs, Rupert Vansittart, Sheridan Smith, Scott Handcock, Emily Woodward, Alicia Ambrose Bayly, Joe Jameson and Carla Mendoça “YES, LUCIE IS TAKING PART IN A COMPETITIVE derby skated into my head.” Yes, Lucie is taking part in a SPORT. AND IT’S QUITE competitive sport. And it’s quite easy to imagine her on skates, EASY TO IMAGINE HER physically battling with other contenders. Alice says: “Some ON SKATES.” ALICE CAVENDER say sport is nothing without its supporters. When the Doctor and Lucie attend the greatest because he hasn’t disappeared story for the characters, Alice is no sporting event in the galaxy and – just his personality has. He’s stranger to writing for the pair. release a mysterious captive held like a sort of clockwork shell of She explains: “I was working by its sponsors, that’s when the himself. There, but not there. with Ian Atkins on the Lucie people of Castus Sigma really “So she’s thrown into trying to Miller Short Trip The Curse of the have to choose a side. To outrun be the Doctor. But of course she Fugue when he managed to tear disaster Lucie Miller will literally isn’t the Doctor, so she bashes Sheridan Smith away from her have to get her skates on…” about in the situation like a bull hectic schedule to record both in china shop, and eventually of the Lucie stories. When she HE THIRD story in this comes out on top… sort of. It’s a subsequently agreed to reprise her series, like the first, is story in which the Daleks have role for this full-cast box set I was T written by an old hand a very strange, unexpected role fortunate to be asked to contribute. from the original run. The House on alongside the humans who “The brief from script the Edge of Chaos by Eddie Robson find themselves trapped in a editor Alan Barnes was that finds the Doctor and Lucie trapped threatening, deadly environment.” the stories could be fun and in a bizarre building, packed with energetic. There are some dark eccentric, social class obsessed HE BOX set’s second story times in Lucie’s journey with characters and an emerging alien is The Revolution Game by the Doctor and I dearly love foe like no other. T Alice Cavender, where those tales, however this one Eddie admits that he thought the something sinister is happening in is set when the pair are still days of writing for the Doctor and a far-flung future Earth colony – getting to know each other. I Lucie were gone: “The combination and Lucie is forced to partake in a wanted to push Lucie out of of the character being killed off and perilous rollerskating contest! her comfort zone physically Sheridan being so busy these days While it may be her first full-cast and for some reason roller made me think that ship had sailed.

VORTEX | PAGE 14 DOCTOR WHO LUCIE MILLER

together. And Sheridan has a great relatability, that’s why she’s doing lead roles on ITV, she feels like your friend and she brings that to Lucie.”

AST IN this set, but most definitely not least, is L Island of the Fendahl, as the classic monster makes its first appearance in a Doctor Who audio since the original TV episode Image of the Fendahl. The story is written by Alan Barnes, who originally created Lucie. He says: “We always knew that Sheridan loved playing Lucie, so I guess I thought it wasn’t impossible. I mean Death in was 100% definitely, no-question-whatsoever going to be her last-ever story, and look how that turned out! Certainly, The Further Adventures has been on the cards for a while – the trouble was finding and fixing dates. We knew, though, that we weren’t going to bring Lucie back from the dead – there was lots of narrative space before and during her second season particularly, for an added run. That said, it was still a massively unexpected thrill to Above (l–r): Paul McGann actually type her first ‘chuff’ into and Sheridan Smith her first scene!” With the Fendahl having faced Torchwood earlier this year, what “I’m so glad she wanted to return “The Doctor and Lucie land made Alan bring them back to face to the character and I think it’s in a vast house that forms the the Doctor and Lucie? He admits: testament to Big Finish that she hub of a human colony – but it “I never saw Image of the Fendahl did. Actors seem to know it’s a fun operates in a very hierarchical when it was first on TV – it came job to do. And although I didn’t 19th-century sort of way. And slap-bang in the middle of the create Lucie, having written a big everything outside the house is time my mother had banned chunk of her first season I do feel blind, unnavigable chaos...” me from watching Doctor Who a bit proprietorial about her – all Eddie was delighted to capture because it was too frightening – the writers on that season pitched the energy and feel of an era so to me the Fendahl existed only in on the initial character outline of Doctor Who that he first in the novelisation. Alan Barnes came up with – so I wrote for over a decade ago. “I think, actually, it was was really pleased to be asked to He admits: “I slipped straight the idea of the glowing skull write one for her comeback.” back into it. It’s mostly about that fascinated me the most. Eddie was given a free hand to the characters really – every I love all the lore around the craft a story for Lucie’s return. Doctor Who story has its own Fendahl. Like all the best He explains: “There was no brief energy and feel, regardless of mythologies, it has rules and for this one – just an Eighth era. Back when Lucie was being structure – stuff you can play Doctor and Lucie story. I’d had a created I tried to drive her more with. It needs the skull, it loose idea about a Jane Austen- towards being irreverent and needs a coven, it needs the inspired Who story for a while, sarky because that’s the kind of Core, it manifests Fendahleen, though that changed quite a character I like to write! So finding it’s affected evolution. If the bit in the process. It was also her voice again wasn’t hard. Fendahl was a ‘real’ myth, inspired by Winchester House, “Paul and Sheridan have a terrific academics would have written the allegedly haunted house that rapport and I think that comes thousands of books and was perpetually being extended. through in the stories they’ve done millions of words about it.

VORTEX | PAGE 15 Above (l–r): Madeline Duggan, Jonathan Keeble, Alicia Ambrose Bayly, Tom Alexander and Alice Cavender “THERE’S A WONDERFUL BIT IN THE SCRIPT in fact, one specific aspect regarding this white noise (and WHEN THE DALEKS GET here I could get into spoiler territory if I’m not careful) that CAUGHT IN A MOMENT had me wondering how I could get that working. OF ELONGATION. ” IAIN MEADOWS “And in The Dalek Trap there’s a wonderful bit in the script when the Daleks get caught in a moment It’s all just incredibly rich.” the last thing I’ll work on as of elongation. That needed a bit of Alan admits there was a a script editor, at least on a care because you could just over do particular pleasure to be taken semi-permanent basis, because it, but I hope the balance is right. when writing this script. He Lucie’s debut season was pretty The scripts though are really first says: “Er, well it should be much the first thing I worked class and were a joy to work on.” pretty obvious that Island on when I started script-editing Iain says there were a few of the Fendahl is something for Big Finish over 13 years ago. interesting sound origins of a, cough, ‘homage’ to a I seem to have come full circle!” for Island of the Fendahl. He particular classic British cult explains: “The island described movie of the early 1970s. Not ITH THE recordings in the script reminded me a completely – I couldn’t actually completed by Moat lot of a place I used to visit as put the Doctor and Lucie W Studios, the files were a boy whilst growing up in inside a giant Wicker Man, then handed over to sound Scotland and subsequently because that’s what actually designer Iain Meadows. When he on family holidays to the happened in Dead London, read the scripts, was there borders and Northumberland the first story in the second anything that he immediately – Lindisfarne Island – in the season of the original Lucie gulped at and wondered how he sense that it can feel very adventures. But Fandor Island, would realise them? He smiles: remote and blustery. It so the island of the Fendahl, isn’t “The scripts really do push the happened that I’d only recently entirely unlike Summerisle boundaries with what sound can returned there as my wife, in certain other respects… do, so there’s always a moment being American, was curious “But for me, personally, it’s where you stop and wonder how to see that part of the world. incredibly satisfying that the you might achieve something. In “Because the terrain is so whole Further Adventures The House on the Edge of Chaos, wonderful, I’d taken my recorder season has turned out to be there’s something to do with static, with me to get some audio that

VORTEX | PAGE 16 DOCTOR WHO LUCIE MILLER

and Ravenous series. That’s not present in these stories giving me a chance to breathe and concentrate on Lucie, the Doctor and anything that comes their way!” Jamie had a personal highlight working on The Revolution Game. He grins: “Episode two with the rollerblading is really cool. I had to create some music for the arena and so did that first, then made the incidental music sort of come in and out alongside of it. It actually took me a while to get it right but I think we got there in the end and it makes the episode go at a really fast pace.”

OMPLETING THE package with the cover C art is Will Brooks. He says: “The brief was nice and clean – here’s four brand new adventures for the Eighth Doctor and Lucie Miller set between their as an artist in the last couple of first and second series together. years since Lucie left the Doctor “Producer Scott Handcock sent “A CHANCE TO and the Big Finish universe, so me the scripts for the four stories it’s really a great honour to be and they are brilliant. It really was BREATHE AND doing the music on these stories. like being transported back to “Paul’s Doctor has really 2007. The stories are packed with CONCENTRATE taken off at Big Finish and to so many great images that it was have a companion come back tricky to work out which ones I ON LUCIE, THE is very exciting, isn’t it? Lucie wanted to have on the cover. is fun and bubbly and I think Daleks trapped beneath a black DOCTOR AND that should always be reflected hole! A world made of static! in her stories and music. Insects! Rollerblades! Fendahl! ANYTHING THAT “I’ve created her own little motif And, of course, right at the heart COMES THEIR too. And it’s very clever because of it, you’ve got the Doctor and it intertwines with the Eighth Lucie. In the TARDIS – right where WAY!.” Doctor’s motif. It has a fun touch, they belong.” a cinematic touch, a victorious Now that we’ve had Sheridan touch for those moments, and back as Lucie, does that mean also an emotional touch.” we could expect to possibly hear I figured might be useful down Each of the stories has been more from her in – if the line and so I’d got some given its own musical palate. her hectic schedule allows? fantastic blustery wind which Jamie explains: “Nick gave me Nick nods: “Yes, definitely. If I was then able to mix in with a brief in the style to aim for in we can make it happen in terms some other wind FX to get what each story. For instance, ‘atonal of the scheduling. Sheridan and just what I was looking for. and droney’ for the first. The Paul loved it. Sheridan and I There was also a moment that second is more ‘futuristic’ or spent another day, mostly just a Fendahleen needed to scream that sort of sound, and then the the two of us together doing – looking around I managed third is a more classical Victorian pick-up recordings, and we did a to mix together a series of tone but blending in the modern lot of gushing about how much pig squeals that matched the score of the Eighth Doctor and we loved working together. And old TV effect quite nicely.” Lucie themes, of course. she told me that playing Lucie With Iain having completed the “It’s quite interesting because has been her most favourite sound design, the music was then for the past two or so years job. She said she’d love to come added by Jamie Robertson. He we’ve had the Doom Coalition back, and we and Paul would says: “Sheridan Smith has grown motif amongst the really like that too.”

VORTEX | PAGE 17 ORDER NOW AT BIGFINISH.COM

WHAT HAPPENS PACE AND time are the War , so Big Finish being ripped apart by very swiftly commissioned WHEN THE WAR S the Time War. The three more box sets. MASTER’S LATEST Daleks and the Time Lords are “The first volume told the devising deadlier weapons for end of the War Master’s story SCHEME IS the conflict. And running to some extent, so we had free DISCOVERED BY through space and time are two rein to explore him earlier in THE DOCTOR? renegade Time Lords. the Time War and see what is plotting his else he may have been up to. most audacious project yet. “I instantly knew I wanted But where is the Doctor when to tell a story with the Ood, the universe needs him? and the possibility of an THE WAR MASTER: RAGE plays the Master encounter with the Doctor OF THE TIME LORDS and Paul McGann is the Eighth was irresistible… so I had n Released: July 2019 Doctor in the third The War a quick chat with Russell T n Format: CD and download Master box set, Rage of the Time Davies to check we weren’t Lords – to the delight of series stepping on his toes as far as producer Scott Handcock. continuity was concerned ORDER NOW AT: Scott reveals: “Even during and, with his blessing, we BGFN.SH/EIGHTVSMASTER recording on our very first were able to concoct a finale story we knew Derek was featuring the Eighth Doctor keen to return to the role of and the War Master.”

VORTEX | PAGE 18 THE WAR MASTER RAGE OF THE TIME LORDS

Above (l–r): Dominic Thorburn, Lu Corfield, James MacCallum, Shvorne Marks, “IF THIS INCARNATION OF LIz Sutherland-Lim and Derek Jacobi THE MASTER HAD APPEARED DURING PEACETIME HE’D After one single epic story in the second War Master HAVE TAKEN OVER THE release, there’s a change again for this third volume. UNIVERSE IN A MATTER Scott says: “Unlike The Master TIM FOLEY of Callous, which was one grand OF DAYS... ” scheme featuring the same cast, this volume reverts to the format of the first release, HE WRITING duties on War II which was lovely to Only the Good: four separate this series are split research, and we had Derek episodes but all connecting T between Tim Foley and reminiscing about his own to tell a much larger story. . Tim sums up wartime memories. I really “The first sees the Master the series, saying: “The Master enjoy writing about small masquerading as a priest in a has a plan, as he so often does, rural communities – I spent small English village during but normally we only get to see a year as writer-in-residence wartime, then travelling to the end result. Here we follow on a farm a while back, and it nineteenth-century America our evil travelling allowed me to tap into that.” for the second. The third across space and time to collect David has written the second instalment takes us to a certain things and prepare for adventure and explains: “The high-tech medical facility on a certain events. Coney Island Chameleon takes barren alien world, before the “I reckon that if this us to Coney Island in the late Master faces off against the incarnation of the Master had 19th century and the murky Doctor in the final episode, both appeared during peacetime world of freak shows, a popular adapting to the ravages of the he’d have taken over the – but exploitative – form of Time War in their own way. universe in a matter of days... entertainment at the time. It’s “There’s even room for the But there’s a war on, and that’s a slice of American Gothic, recently released Series Five hampered his progress. So complete with a cross-country of The Diary of this box set definitely explores chase and spooky swamps.” to slip in between episodes his responses to that.” The third and fourth stories one and three, so the War Tim opens the box set with form a two-parter, with Tim Master’s adventures continue The Survivor. He reveals: “My writing the first called The to build and build, even away first story is set in a community Missing Link. He says: “It’s set in from his own series.” of land girls during World the Master’s base of operations,

VORTEX | PAGE 19 THE WAR MASTER RAGE OF THE TIME LORDS

“THERE’S THE FRISSON Back row (l–r): Su Douglas, Laura RIseborough and Tim Foley • Front row (l–r): Derek Jacobi, OF A DOCTOR/MASTER Mina Anwar, Paul Clayton and Katherine Pearce COMBINATION MEETING friends encountering one FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME.” another after a long time away. DAVID LLEWELLYN “They’ve not worked together before so there’s quite naturally the frisson of a Doctor/ which was a fun notion. I The Missing Link. David adds: “I Master combination meeting initially conceived a more can’t say too much about this for the very first time whilst gothic set-up but Scott quite one as it brings together threads knowing each other of old, rightly pointed out that we’ve from the previous stories, but and it’s something both Paul seen that sort of villain’s lair it’s the Doctor and the Master and Derek really enjoyed!” before. How about a functioning at the edges of reality itself! There’s also been a bit of time institute, complete with staff “By the time we get to Darkness travel behind the microphone… and resources? We’ve made our and Light, the Doctor’s really Scott explains: “Weirdly Rage Master as difficult as possible to been put through the wringer so of the Time Lords was recorded defeat – and that only seems fair he isn’t quite as ebullient as we’d before we did The Master of since he is the lead in this series! normally find him, but this story Callous, but you’d never get “I don’t tend to write for the is very much about the Doctor that sense from listening Doctor and The Missing Link and the Master’s relationship, to it. Derek’s incarnation contains the first bits of Doctor about how – in a twisted kind established itself so swiftly dialogue I ever got to write, so of way – they complement and over the course of Only the Good I was over the moon. It’s such a maybe even need one another.” that he immediately becomes clash of personalities! I’m clearly the Master the instant he biased but I think this is why S WELL as producing gets behind a microphone! Paul and Derek make such a good The War Doctor “The Master is so pairing – they’re both suave in A range, Scott is also the disarmingly pleasant and their own way but complete director of this set. He says: “It reasonable, at least to begin polar opposites. Their characters goes without saying that Paul with, which makes it all the would slink seamlessly into and Derek are two incredible more unsettling when he a dance hall, but whilst Paul’s actors with brilliant voices so turns. He doesn’t care who Doctor never wants to stop listening to them together is a sees behind the mask – the waltzing, Derek’s Master has dream. They both know their Master’s always in total control already poisoned the orchestra!” characters inside-out, and – and that’s what makes this The final episode, Darkness and clearly relish playing them, so set a real thrill. It’s the Doctor Light follows on directly from it really is like hearing two old encountering the Master in

VORTEX | PAGE 20 THE WAR MASTER RAGE OF THE TIME LORDS

preying sense of evil through the deliverance of his lines. It makes my work very enjoyable and all I need to make sure I do as sound editor is support, accent and complement his tone and narrative. That means picking up on specific lines and boosting them in level above the mix, adding dark transitional sound design effects on the tails of certain lines and generally highlighting important plot moments. So in that respect I don’t approach the stories in a different mindset or with a different palette of sounds. a Master adventure, rather “I think perhaps a lot of the than way around.” mood and ‘evil sound’ of the Tim adds that writing for Master is generated through the War Master is: “Curiously the wonderful music created liberating! When you have by Ioan Morris. With the score someone so horrible as your I think you’re able to more protagonist, why do we care? suitably suggest undertones of What’s to stop them massacring scheming, puppeteering and a planet just to pick a daisy? You pure evil, so when I’m reading can’t just imagine him as an through a scene I’m always ‘evil Doctor’ or it doesn’t work. looking for where music will You’ve really got to get into his support the narrative better cunning mindset, and see him than sound design, and making through the eyes of his victims.” sure I leave the space for it.”

HE POST-production HE COVER art has been Above: Derek Jacobi duties on the series were created by Lee Binding. T made by Peter Doggart T He tells us: “Scott’s a joy creating the sound design, with to work with because he’s very music handled by Ioan Morris. a way out of the spider’s web, visual in his story-telling and Ioan says: “I think Scott but as we know in this series pretty much knows what he Handcock and the writers that’s not often the case.” wants on the cover each time. smartly tread the line of making Peter adds: “Creating And that’s usually a lot of colour! the Master a compelling figure otherworldly creatures is always “Scott loves bright, bold but not one with whom you’re a challenge and requires quite colours, and it took me a while invited to empathise. Sir Derek a bit of time and forethought. I to catch on to that because is brilliant and frequently very often find myself recording foley I’m often using more muted funny as the Master, but the for creature design and putting or uniform colour schemes character does some horrible, together a palette of sounds that for the covers I do. I have to manipulative things. But in I think complement each other say, his instincts are utterly terms of working on the series, and will work well to give the right and I now love working it’s great fun. A total pleasure. creature voice, movement and with these bold swatches! So “The Master is the protagonist character. Both episodes three I am really fond of this third but he’s not the hero, and I and four have creature design War Master because it is the wouldn’t want to portray him as and required a bit of thought.” brightest and boldest yet. such. A victory for him is not a Does Pete approach these “A few people have asked me, happy ending, certainly not for stories with an ‘evil’ sound in ‘Is that the laser screwdriver on the characters on the receiving mind, given our leading man the cover’. I’m gonna say yes, end of his deception (and is a bad one? He says: “The but a more rough prototype worse). So although it’s more great thing about working version. The Master – and instinctive than anything, I feel with Derek Jacobi is that he’s Missy! – are such tinkerers. Only I’m scoring the episodes hoping such an incredible voice actor they can think of turning an that our heroes/his victims find and solely able to impose that umbrella into a sonic!”

VORTEX | PAGE 21 ORDER NOW AT BIGFINISH.COM

between Revelation of the Daleks it’s good to have a balance and DOCTOR WHO: and The Trial of a Time Lord. The also offer individual stories that MEMORIES OF A TYRANT Sixth Doctor has now had many are completely wrapped up in different ‘eras’ and quite a few the one release. That’s what we’re n Released: July 2019 different companions, and it’s doing in these three adventures.” n Format: CD and download been a while since we heard some Out for release in July, adventures with him and Peri. Memories of a Tyrant by Roland “Although it’s great that we can Moore is a tale of morality, ORDER NOW AT: explore different relationships mystery and memory. BGFN.SH/MEMORIES for the Sixth Doctor, I think it’s John explains: “Memories of good to return to the format a Tyrant is set in the far future of the TV series. Peri remains a and focuses on one man, Garius T’S BEEN a while but one very popular companion, and Moro, who may or may not be a of the most popular I’m delighted that we are able to war criminal. He can’t remember, I Doctor Who present some new adventures but there are a lot of people partnerships is back. Over the for her and the Sixth Doctor.” who want to find out the truth, next three months, the Sixth And that’s not the only one way or the other. Written Doctor and Peri are reunited in similarity with this new run of by Roland Moore, the story The Monthly Adventures. stories. John adds: “The three touches on issues of why we feel Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant stories are all self-contained the need to punish or venerate last recorded together in 2014 in and have no link with each individuals for their past actions, three adventures set after their other, apart from the Doctor and even though they may now TV travels ended. Producer John Peri. Story arcs across multiple be very different people.” Ainsworth reveals: “This new adventures are popular, and there Roland tells us more: “I’ve trilogy of stories featuring the are several such epic adventures written a number of plays Sixth Doctor and Peri is set firmly currently on offer from Big Finish for Big Finish and I asked if within established TV continuity. such as The War Master and The I could pitch a Sixth Doctor In other words, the stories are set Time War box sets. But I think idea. John Ainsworth listened

VORTEX | PAGE 22 DOCTOR WHO THE SIXTH DOCTOR

tries to uncover whether this old man has indeed committed war crimes. But soon the Doctor is in deep, deep trouble!” Roland also enjoyed writing for the Doctor and Peri. He adds: “It was a joy to write for the Sixth Doctor and Peri. Colin and Nicola’s chemistry is fabulous and how they bring these characters so vividly to life is astonishing.

“FOR A LONG TIME IT WAS ACTUALLY CALLED THE DALEK PLENIPOTENTIARY.” ANDREW SMITH

“And it’s such a great motivator when you’re writing to know that one day, if it all goes well, you will be to some of my previous sitting in a green room with stories and kindly allowed those actors and they’ll be me to give him some ideas. slipping back into those roles “John was interested in as if a day hasn’t passed.” adventures where the story would have an impact on HE FRIENDS face their characters’ lives – showing how old foe in August’s they respond to situations and T release, Emissary of the showing how they are changed Daleks. John explains: “Emissary by what happens. He also of the Daleks by Andrew Smith is wanted – for this run – stories a deliberate attempt to capture where perhaps the location the same feel of last year’s changes or a new character is popular release, Hour of the introduced halfway through. Cybermen, also by Andrew. It’s “Having specific aspects set in the far future on an alien Above: Nicola Bryant to a brief is so useful as you world, and sees the Doctor and can let your imagination Peri fighting to liberate a people dream up story ideas and then oppressed by one of their own interrogate them as to how people in a single afternoon. kind who has apparently they could fit those aspects.” “And because of the importance allowed herself to become a How would Roland sum up the of discovering who this man is, puppet of the Daleks. But were events of his adventure? He says: various factions and alien races her choices as simple as they “The Doctor and Peri are invited – each with their own agenda might seem?” to the Memory Farm – a state – have assembled on the space Andrew tells Vortex: “For a of the art space station where station to view the proceedings. long time it was actually called memories can be harvested, Then there is a murder… The Dalek Plenipotentiary. I had reviewed and analysed. There “So it’s partly a whodunit in a read about a really interesting they find an old man who is closed environment as the Doctor tactic which the Persians used being assessed in a bid to find out races against time to find out to use. They would attack who he really is because there who the murderer is, and partly a city state, win the battle, is a possibility that he may be an examination of memory and then put one of their a dictator who killed billions of and mis-memory as the Doctor people in place to run it.

VORTEX | PAGE 23 DOCTOR WHO THE SIXTH DOCTOR

“Generally, they were quite benign rulers after winning these brutal fights, and there were no reprisals against the people they had conquered afterwards. However, if there was an attempt to overthrow the Persian rule, they would be brutal in repressing it. “On one occasion when there was a plenipotentiary in place, there was an uprising against him. It was subdued, the leader of the uprising was killed, and his skin was made into a chair! “In Emissary of the Daleks we meet the plenipotentiary the Daleks have put in charge of a world, and if there is any resistance to the Daleks, they

“STEVE AND I WERE KEEN TO SHOW MORE OF HOUDINI’S ADVENTURES WITH THE DOCTOR, AND THIS IS

THE RESULT.” Above (l–r): Richard Keith, Nicholas Briggs, Natasha Karp, Nicola Bryant, William Ellis, JOHN AINSWORTH Ray Cezan and Colin Baker

will come in fast and hard, breakthrough to explain why EPTEMBER’S RELEASE and put it down ruthlessly. there are fewer Daleks there. is Harry Houdini’s War Andrew did some research to “I love writing for the Sixth S written by . help with the plotting of the story. Doctor. It’s almost a cliché but Not only is the title a nod to He explains: “When the Doctor the character is so well served 1980s novel Harry Sullivan’s War, and Peri arrive, the Doctor notices by Big Finish and I really enjoy it’s also a sequel to a previous Big there are not as many Daleks being in studio with Colin, to Finish release. John explains: there as he would have expected. hear what he does with the “Harry Houdini’s War takes the “I did a bit of scientific research script. He’s such a good actor Doctor and Peri back in time to with this script into primordial and always well prepared. World War I. There the Doctor is nuclides. They are pieces of “To write for Colin and Nicola reunited with his old friend, matter that can be found on again was great. Emissary is my famed escapologist Harry Earth, and have been around fourth script for ‘Old Sixie’, but Houdini, but Harry’s not sure since the Big Bang. I’ve used it’s been quite a while since I whose side the Doctor is on. that as an element in the story, had the pair of them together “Steve Lyons previously wrote which helps give the Doctor a in The First .” Smoke and Mirrors for the Destiny

VORTEX | PAGE 24 DOCTOR WHO THE SIXTH DOCTOR

of the Doctor series released in 2013. In that adventure, Harry SOON Houdini met the , COMING but it was clear that he had THE BIG FINISH RELEASE SCHEDULE met other incarnations of the Doctor in his past. Steve and I were keen to show more of Houdini’s adventures with the FOR FULL DETAILS AND UPDATES VISIT, Doctor, and this is the result.” Steve says: “I talked through a bgfn.sh/whatsnew few ideas with John, and this is the one we ended up going with. I wouldn’t call it a sequel, though that was originally the idea. I JUNE 2019 SEPTEMBER 2019 first developed this story as an ■ ■ talking book for ■ DW • The Monthly Adventures: ■ DW • The Monthly Adventures: An Alien in London Harry Houdini’s War (255, AudioGo but they were working (252, , and Mags) Sixth Doctor and Peri) on other World War I-era stories ■■ DW • The Lives of Captain Jack: ■■ DW • The Monthly Adventures: at the time, and then they went Volume Two Tartarus (256, Fifth Doctor, (Box Set) and Tegan) bust so it just never happened. ■■ DW • The Paternoster Gang: ■■ DW • : “Coming back to Harry Heritage 1 (Box Set) The Dimension Cannon (Box Set) Houdini’s War six years later, ■■ DW • Short Trips: ■■ DW • The Companion Chronicles: reworking it for a different The Same Face (9.06) DLO The : Volume 3 (Box Set) Doctor in a different format in ■■ Torchwood: Sargasso (28) ■■ DW • Short Trips: TBA (9.09) DLO a different range, I thought it ■■ Torchwood: God Among Us 3 ■■ Torchwood: The Vigil (31) best to make it as standalone (Box Set) ■ as possible. That was easy to ■ Survivors: Series 9 (Box Set) OCTOBER 2019 do, as it’s set earlier in Harry’s ■■ DW • The Monthly Adventures: life than Smoke and Mirrors JULY 2019 TBA (257, TBA) was. The Doctor knows what ■■ DW • The Monthly Adventures: ■■ DW • The Eighth Doctor Adventures: happened/will happen in the Memories of a Tyrant Ravenous 4 (Box Set) (253, Sixth Doctor and Peri) ■ earlier story, but of course ■ DW • The Paternoster Gang: ■■ DW • The Legacy of Time (Box Set) Heritage 2 (Box Set) he keeps this to himself.” ■■ DW • The War Master: ■■ DW • Short Trips: TBA (9.10) DLO Steve was delighted to have Rage of the Time Lords (Box Set) ■■ Torchwood: Smashed (32) the chance to write for Colin ■■ DW • Eighth Doctor Adventures: ■■ Bernice Summerfield: The Futher Adventures of Baker and Nicola Bryant. He The Squire’s Crystal (Audiobook) DLO Lucie Miller (Box Set) smiles: “I’ve always loved ■■ Dark Shadows: The Tony & ■■ DW • Short Trips: writing for the Sixth Doctor Cassandra Mysteries (Volume 3) Battle Scars (9.07) DLO in various media, but this ■■ Torchwood: Serenity (29) is my first full-length story NOVEMBER 2019 ■■ The Omega Factor: Festival of with Colin playing the part, Darkness (Audiobook) DLO ■■ DW • The Monthly Adventures: so a real treat for me. One TBA (258, TBA) ■ day, I’d like to really explore AUGUST 2019 ■ DW • The Lost Stories: The Nightmare Country (Fifth the relationship between the ■■ DW • The Monthly Adventures: Doctor, Tegan and Turlough) Emissary of the Daleks Doctor and Peri during Season ■■ DW • The Early Adventures: (254, Sixth Doctor and Peri) 22 – but this isn’t that day. The Home Guard (6.1, ) ■■ DW • The Eighth Doctor: “They don’t actually spend ■■ DW • The Early Adventures: The Time War 3 (Box Set) a lot of time together in this Daughter of the Gods ■■ DW • The Diary of River Song: (6.2, Second Doctor) story. Instead, they take it in Series 6 (Box Set) ■■ DW • Short Trips: TBA (9.11) DLO turns to partner Harry Houdini, ■■ DW • Short Trips: ■■ Torchwood: TBA (33) and those are the scenes I really #HarrySullivan (9.08) DLO ■■ Blake’s 7: Restoration Part 3 (Box Set) had fun writing. Harry has ■■ Blake’s 7: Restoration Part 2 ■ a touch of the Sixth Doctor’s (Box Set) ■ The Prisoner: Volume 3 (Box Set) ■ pomposity – at least, he does ■ Big Finish Originals: Transference DLO the way I’ve characterised ■■ Torchwood: The Hope (30) DLO = DOWNLOAD ONLY him – and they spark off each ■ ■ The Confessions of Dorian Gray: DW = DOCTOR WHO other really well. And Peri The Lost Confessions DLO can undermine Harry with a sarcastic quip, just as effectively as she does the Doctor!”

VORTEX | PAGE 25 VORTEXMAIL

the change in story format was largely down to people like yourself asking for it, and David Richardson, the producer, preferring the authenticity of that format. But we’ll be returning to two-parters soon as well – we like to offer a variety of formats.

WHAT A CAMPION! Can we get to do some Campion audios? @19gary74 Nick: We have tried, but sadly we cannot secure the rights.

A SEED OF AN IDEA Would you ever consider using the Krynoid as the main baddie for a UNIT box set? @ClassicWhoLover Nick: I don’t see why not! I’m MY KINGDOM FOR Brig, is there a possibility of very fond of the Krynoids as MORE SHAKESPEARE ever seeing Roger Delgado’s a Doctor Who monster. Will we be getting any more Master with a new voice Shakespeare adaptations? actor? Or is there something TIME FOR ? The and King Lear that prevents this Master’s I’ve been loving The War recordings were brilliant! use at Big Finish? Master series so far, and I’ve And is it possible for Justin Bush been wondering if we’ll ever see Braxiatel and Narvin to Nick: There’s nothing to stop Davros in any Time War stories? get their own box sets? us, Justin. Perhaps we should Harry Watson Jessica Botes hold open auditions for this Nick: We’ve got some ideas Nick: No more plans for more Master… I’m only joking. Or fermenting on that topic. Shakespeare as they haven’t am I? You – will – obey – me! Harry. Stay tuned, as someone really sold that well, Jessica, used to say. we’re delighted you liked CONSTANCE CRAVING them. Nothing disastrous but Will we be seeing more of we’d have to do a lot more Constance and the Sixth outreach to other markets Doctor? And is there any to get those sales up a bit. specific reason the Fourth And no plans for stand alone Doctor box sets are going Braxiatel and Narvin yet, to four-part stories (not although they’re both great that I’m complaining characters who will hopefully – it’s something I’ve continue to appear in our wanted to hear stories for a long time to come. from the start). Simon J Garner Nick: Yes Simon, MASTER PLAN? there will be more With amazing talents like from Constance Frazer, Tim and Jon Culshaw after some Peri doing roles such as different adventures. Doctors, and the The reason for

VORTEX | PAGE 26 BIG FINISH BOOKCLUB www.bigfinish.com/offers/v/bookclub ACCESS CODE: STORIES

introducing Jackie Martin played SURVIVORS: SERIES 1 by Louise Jameson. Jonny says: “My big idea for this episode was to cover the stuff that apocalyptic dramas often skip – they have the hero wake up 28 Days Later – the gradual, day-by-day descent with disease coming from decomposing corpses and dogs becoming wild and so on.” Writer, Andrew Smith looked at the issue of law and order in the third episode, Judges. He explains: “Survivors does get categorised as science fiction but it’s all about how people OR SOMETHING to at the beginning. When would react in a realistic way, have an end it must David came to me with the when there’s less than one F have a beginning, commission he said that percent of the population left. so this month we turn back this was the way we were “It’s harsher and basically the clock to June 2014 and going to do it: tell the story it’s more mature as well, to the the first audio box set of of the outbreak with our point where there’s a caveat Survivors. The world has own original characters, on the packaging saying that been devastated after the and then integrate Greg it contains adult material and accidental release of a and from the TV may not be suitable for younger disease which has wiped series into the storyline. listeners. There are characters out most of the Earth’s “It’s a very sensible course with traumatic backgrounds and population. We follow what of action: this way, people experiences across the four discs.” happens next, initially who don’t know the TV The set concludes with Esther by running in tandem with the series, or who remember it John Dorney, who says: “I found events shown in Terry only vaguely, can pick up it an interesting one to do – I Nation’s BBC series which this box set of stories and would say that the plot of this ran from 1975–77. start the journey afresh. story is actually the characters. I Producer David Equally, those more familiar wanted to go back to my favourite Richardson says: “I love with the TV series can episode of the TV series, Law and Survivors and I always enjoy spotting how the Order, which I think is one of the have, right back to when audio series interweaves finest episodes of any television I saw episode one on its with the events we see in series ever, where everything first TV transmission the first few TV episodes. is leading to a horrible and in 1975. I’ve ever since It also means that in using inevitable ending.” thought it would be great our own characters there is to do the show on audio.” still a real sense of jeopardy: Script editor, Matt Fitton, we truly don’t know which SURVIVORS SERIES who wrote the first episode of them will make it.” ONE IS AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD NOW AT THE Revelation, adds: “It was wrote SPECIAL PRICE OF £9.99 always the intent to begin the second story, Exodus,

VORTEX | PAGE 27 ISSUE: 124 • JUNE 2019 WWW.BIGFINISH.COM

DOCTOR WHO PERI BROWN COLIN BAKER AND NICOLA BRYANT REUNITED!

THE WAR DOCTOR MEN OF WAR RAGE OF THE TIME LORDS!

THE LIVES OF CAPTAIN JACK THERE IS A CHANGE OF COSTUME FOR JACK IN VOLUME TWO!

SHERIDAN SMITH LUCIE MILLER IS BACK!