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Home , Adric, Alan Barnes (writer), Bernice Summerfield, Big Finish Productions, Cavan Scott, David Llewellyn (author)

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WWW.BIGFINISH.COM @ BIGFINISH THEBIGFINISH I CAN’T DENY IT – I’m really, really excited about The Comic Strip Adaptations being released this month! I first came across The Iron Legion and The Star Beast in reprints, circa 1985, and I instantly fell in love with them.

They mirror the tone of Doctor Who’s 17th season on television, but at the same time do something new and original with it, creating a hyper-reality that you could imagine happening had stayed on as script editor for another year.

I don’t honestly know how many times I’ve read these strips. They’re just so vivid and real in my mind, with lines like, ‘An empty threat, Doctor. Death cannot destroy me. I am death!’ And, ‘Sorry mate, no animals allowed on my bus – except on a lead!’, being ones that immediately spring to mind with ease. HE’S A SWAGGERING former Time Agent from I’d actually go so far as to say that these stories are . He’s a captain with a murky past – and every bit as real to me as television episodes, or, something always happens on his visits to … in the case of adventures like and The Yes, we’re talking about the return of Captain John Sun Makers, even more vivid, as I’ve read these far Hart (who did you think we meant?!). It’s been a year more times than I’ve watched the TV adventures. since Captain John first appeared in the Big Finish audio, The Death of Captain Jack, reunited with John Talking to the people who’ve brought these tales Barrowman’s Captain . to life has been a real pleasure over few And in January 2020, will reprise weeks. They all have a real passion for the stories, the role of Captain Jack’s best friend/arch rival in his even more than I do, and I cannot wait to hear own series of adventures set within the Torchwood the finished results. audio universe. The four-story box set, The Sins of Captain John, has been written by , with the new adventures titled The Restored, Escape from Nebazz, Also in Vortex this month we preview the next Peach Blossom Heights and Darker Purposes. series, as the conflict in the James said: “Recording The Death of Captain continues to grow and grow, and the repercussions Jack was incredible! I have missed doing Torchwood of resurrecting an old hero from the past are felt so much. Beyond being proud of having a part in it, in the present. And we feature the latest release in the character itself is a blast to play, and those two TV Who Main Range, as (voiced episodes just weren’t enough.” by ) makes his unexpected return. I Writer David adds: “Captain John is this chaotic, spoke to Jon just days before Christmas and his disruptive, insubordinate force of nature; completely love and passion for all things Who-related, and amoral and unpredictable, so that gave me a lot of indeed, Big Finish, is such a joy and so infectious. freedom! Writing is often a case of knowing when to During the course of our chat, , Sylvester hold back, when to tread a more subtle line, but with McCoy, George W Bush and popped Captain John it’s the complete opposite. And setting it in to join the fun. It was definitely one of the best, before Torchwood on television meant we were able and most surreal, interviews of my life! to go to places where Torchwood can’t.”

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TRANSFERS DOCTOR WHO THE COMIC STRIP ADAPTATIONS …meanwhile, somewhere in space and time…

Alan admits that he has been a fan of these comic strips since he was a young fella, saying: “I wasn’t just a mad keen Doctor Who fan, I was a Squaxx dek Thargo – an obsessive 2000 AD reader, a Friend of Tharg. So the day I found Doctor Who Weekly issue two in the newsagents

from left to right: TOM BAKER and Rhianne starbuck

around the corner from my granny’s house (the first issue had passed me by completely) was one of the most exciting days of my young life! It wasn’t just that FOR Doctor Who fans of a a Doctor Who comic existed, it was that the comic strip was certain age there are stories drawn by my favourite Art Droid of all: , who did the which were never broadcast but ‘new’ . And was the Script Droid – whose name are as large as life as anything I guess I knew best from the amazing six-month-long Judge ever shown on the screen. Dredd epic, The Cursed Earth. “The Creature From N PARTICULAR we’re he also directed. He says: “I think was on TV at the time... and it I talking about a couple of it was something that Alan was OK, the Wolfweeds were comic strips from the Barnes had mentioned – and good, but it couldn’t compare to pages of Doctor Who Weekly. we’d all been keen on the idea Doctor Who and the Iron Legion. In March 2019, Tom Baker will for ages. They’re very much part Romans! General Ironicus! breathe life into Doctor Who: The of our essential experiences as The Ectoslime! The pages may Comic Strip Adaptations when Doctor Who fans of a certain have been in black and white, Doctor Who and the Iron Legion generation, so we were always but the stories were ten times and Doctor Who and the Star Beast going to find a way to do these. more colourful than anything are released, adapted by Alan “Alan is a comics man by on our new Rediffusion telly. Barnes from the original 1979/80 instinct, and he was chomping “The Iron Legion and The Star Pat Mills and strips. at the bit to get started. He Beast are still up there in my top Executive producer Nicholas knows and admires Pat Mills. 20 favourite Doctor Who stories Briggs was delighted to be script And Alan’s a brilliant writer. ever. Maybe even top 10! Iron editor on the adaptations, which So insightful and smart.” Legion is this huge epic adventure

VORTEX | PAGE 5 But obviously, the comic strip is very much stripped back to its bare essentials – you find yourself having to turn three or four speech balloons into proper dramatic scenes, with their own rhythm. But the characters are so well-drawn, they practically beg to speak more! “I suppose The Iron Legion was the trickiest – it’s very much a linear narrative, following the Doctor all the way through, without a . For our purposes it’s not practical to have the Doctor in every single scene, so I needed to find plot threads to run parallel to the Doctor’s story throughout. The solution was to follow the characters as slaves by the Legion on the first page of the first episode…” from left to right: TOM BAKER and Esther Hall N THE recording days, O there was a feeling with these productions that

– a Doctor Who movie, really, the best we never had. And The Star Beast is so modern. It’s urban, it’s “Tom noticed the change northern, it’s contemporary, it’s got real, human characters with in the style of the scripts real human reactions. It’s like Rose 25 years early. And yes, The straight away.”NICHOLAS BRIGGS Woman Who Fell to Earth, too! “We’d been talking about doing them for years and originally made them stand apart from the I was to script-edit not regular Fourth Doctor releases. write them, but when it came to Nick explains: “They were it I had such a clear idea of how different somehow. Tom noticed I wanted them done, I thought the change in the style of the it couldn’t possibly work getting scripts straight away. He wrote someone else to dramatise them to me immediately after he’d – I’d have been back-seat driving read them and was clearly a little all the way. So I pretty much bewildered by them initially. begged Nick to let me write them, But then he threw himself into largely because I couldn’t bear the them and really enjoyed it.” thought of anyone else doing it, The Star Beast introduces a and maybe doing them ‘wrong’!” new companion for the Doctor in Did Alan – a former writer the form of Sharon Davies, who of the joined him for several adventures comic strip as well as numerous in the comic strips. Was it tough Big Finish adventures – have to find an actress to play Sharon? any particular challenges in Nick shakes his head: “Not at adapting either of these? all, the moment the production He considers: “Structurally, Tom Baker was green lit, Jason told us his they feel like they’ve got pretty friend Rhianne Starbuck would be much the right amount of plot ideal. Jason has a fabulous track for four 25-minute episodes. record on casting. He suggested

VORTEX | PAGE 6 DOCTOR WHO THE COMIC STRIP ADAPTATIONS

DOCTOR WHO: THE COMIC STRIP from left to right: ADAPTATIONS BRIAN PROTHEROE and CHRISTINE KAVANAGH DOCTOR WHO AND THE IRON LEGION DOCTOR WHO AND looking at the script, THE STAR BEAST he’d clearly done a “In terms lot of preparation beforehand, and he ADAPTED BY FROM of character would come in some THE COMIC STRIPS WRITTEN BY days, and he would PAT MILLS AND JOHN WAGNER, she’s kind say, ‘I was reading this, WITH ART BY DAVE GIBBONS. I thought we could of my dream do this at this time,’ constantly talking RELEASED March 2019 to play .” with Nick, bouncing CD £28.00 Download £25.00 rhianne starbuck ideas around. He Extras Bonus Disc was very involved in the process. And Director Nicholas Briggs for Charley and very professional. The whole Cast Tom Baker (The Doctor), Brian for Lucie. So experience was very playful.” Protheroe (General Ironicus/Milkman), who were we to question his Sharon, of course, has a Christine Kavanagh (Juno/Magog), judgement on this! Rhianne hugely important part in Joseph Kloska (Morris/Centurion), Toby gives a great performance.” Doctor Who history, as she Longworth (Vesuvius/Grubb/Overseer), Rhianne says: “It’s one of the was the first person of colour Luke Franks (Adolphus Caesar), Alistair first voiceover jobs I’ve done, to be a regular in the TARDIS. Lock (Babiyon), Steve Hansell (Doug/ and everyone was so lovely. Rhianne said: “In terms The cast were brilliant, Nick of character she’s kind of Barbarius/Alien Guard), Esther Hall Briggs was amazing, and it was my dream to play as she’s (Viv/Commentator), Rhianne Starbuck so much fun. We didn’t stop very similar to my real life (Sharon), Ben Hunter (Fudge/UNIT laughing – laughter all day story. I never had a father Corporal), Bethan Dixon Bate (The Meep/ long, even through the breaks. figure growing up, she’s Meeps/Wrarth Surgeon), Angela Rippon The atmosphere was electric. northern, she’s mixed (Newsreader), David Schaal (Inspector “Tom was very polite, race, just like myself. And Zogroth/Bus Driver), Chris Walker- introduced himself to a really fun character to Thomson (Sgt Zreeg/Councillor/UNIT everyone. He’s very young play. And she’s very strong Lieutenant), Sian Reeves (Mrs Higgins) at heart. He was constantly willed. If she wanted to do

VORTEX | PAGE 7 DOCTOR WHO THE COMIC STRIP ADAPTATIONS

from left to right: TOM BAKER and NICHOLAS BRIGGS

“my favourite character has always been Vesuvius. I love from left to right: his crazy way of TOM BAKER and JAMIE ANDERSON talking. NICHOLAS BRIGGS

something, she did it. There’s me by, but I was soon made this. Between Alan Barnes’s no telling her what to do, which aware of their iconic status! adaptations of the scripts, Nick’s again is the same as me!” It’s been great fun throughout. directing, and Tom – that’s the The stories are being produced The comic strip element brings pressure taken off. And once by Jamie Anderson, but he has a set of new aspects to telling you mix in a rather marvellous an admission to make: “I actually a Doctor Who story – bigger, guest cast, then I’m pretty sure came to these not knowing the bolder and funnier ideas – so we’ve got a couple of fantastic strips! Isn’t that terrible? As I that’s been really exciting. productions on their way!” only discovered Doctor Who in “Thankfully, we’ve got a Nick adds: “When I’m casting the early 1990s the strips passed fantastic team working on it’s often the case that I’m looking

VORTEX | PAGE 8 DOCTOR WHO THE COMIC STRIP ADAPTATIONS

with so many weird and wonderful friends and foes in these stories, the problem was more about which ones you leave off! “We decided early on to go for something bold and

“The briefs were fairly... well, brief on this one!” Will Brooks

colourful. The original strips were black and white, but they feel so vibrant! When I think of the Iron Legion marching their way across the village green, I picture it in full-blown colour! That’s something I was keen to get across. “The biggest challenge was trying to capture the characters that fans have known for 40 years. Pat Mills created such brilliant outlandish characters – General Ironicus! Morris! The Meep! – and Dave Gibbons defined their looks so perfectly. They’re proper Doctor Who icons in their own way. “So when you’re making the covers, utilising photographs, for someone with an intrinsically Vesuvius. I love his crazy way of you want to try and do the interesting voice. My old friend talking. Funnily enough, I’d always original designs justice. I’ve Bethan Dixon Bate, who I first heard his voice in my head as tried to keep close to the designs worked with in 1996 on a tour of American, but when I asked Alan we all know and love, but of Brideshead Revisited, was someone Barnes what he thought Vesuvius course there’s my own little spin I’d recently bumped into after should sound like, he said, on them, too. Working with years of not having seen her. I ‘Imagine Kenneth Connor from Photoshop and photographs knew she was a fabulous actor the Carry On movies’. Brilliant. is a very different medium to anyway, but she told me she was All I had to do was utter those pencil and paper. But I particularly getting into voice words to voice man extraordinaire that people will look at the work. I listened to her clips and Toby Longworth and stand characters on the covers and was reminded of a very particular back in admiration. Superb!” instantly recognise them.” quality she has in her voice. And for Alan, how exciting “I thought this would give RINGING THE covers of is it for him, knowing Tom the Meep a really alien feel. And B The Fourth Doctor Comic Baker is finally bringing these she did a fantastic job, and was Strips releases to life is 40-year-old stories to life? easily able to adapt to do other Will Brooks. He tells Vortex: “The He grins: “Just the biggest voices in the production too. briefs were fairly... well, brief on thrill! Nine-year-old me still “In The Iron Legion, my favourite this one! Mostly notes on which can’t quite believe it’s actually character has always been characters we’d like to feature – but happening!”

VORTEX | PAGE 9 THE DOCTOR’S OTHER ROBOT FRIEND IS BACK AT HIS SIDE…

NE BY ONE, the Fifth stepping down from the role I knew it would be a big thing Doctor has been joined by in the Doctor Who Main Range for fans. I chatted with Nicholas O old friends on audio at Big from June onwards, after taking Briggs about it a fair bit, and Ken Finish. Turlough, and Peri on the post in 2006 with the Bentley who’d be directing, and were his initial travelling release, ). suggested Jon Culshaw for the role. companions, before Tegan and Producer of the trilogy, “I’d recently worked with Jon more recently , joined him in , says: “When on Cicero and I loved his Target the TARDIS once more. And now I inherited these scripts from audiobook readings, so I knew with the return of the shape- David Richardson, I asked if he he’d be a perfect fit with changing android Kamelion, the had anyone in mind for Kamelion regulars. Plus I loved the irony of reunions are complete. and he said no. It was still early a renowned impressionist playing The decision to bring back days, or he may have just been an android who can change its Kamelion was taken by script being polite and not wanting to shape and personality. So, I posed editor Alan Barnes. (Alan is impose anyone on me! Either way, the question to Jon by e-mail one

VORTEX | PAGE 10 DOCTOR WHO KAMELION

Above (l–r): John Voce, Anjella Mackintosh, Jon Culshaw, , Mark Strickson, and Simon Slater

their on-going differences.” This month’s adventure comprises two two-parters: Black Thursday by Jamie Anderson and Power Game by . Set in 1902, Black Thursday brings the TARDIS to the Welsh village of Abertysswg, where men have worked the day and got an instant reply. Jon The Bleeding Heart and my run of black seam for generations. is not only an excellent mimic but comics at Titan.” Jamie says his brief was: “The he really loves and cares about There was another added , Tegan, Turlough and the material. You couldn’t have bonus for Cav as he reveals: “I’ve the return of Kamelion. I think asked for more from any actor!” been wanting to write for Tegan that was about it! Nice and free... a Kamelion was reintroduced since my very firstDoctor Who great opportunity to do anything! in last month’s release Devil in in 2001 so finally getting the “I enjoyed playing on Tegan the Mist which saw the TARDIS chance was a complete joy. and Kamelion’s relationship, and take the Doctor, Tegan, Turlough “A good thing about Kamelion I think that was pretty central to and Kamelion to a prison ship is that he completely upsets the making the story work. Alan also with just one prisoner: Nustanu, team dynamic, so that was fun! worked hard to help me cultivate last of the Zamglitti. Tegan doesn’t trust him and the a sense of Tegan’s frustration with The ship then crashes. Doctor is a little bit entranced by the sexist attitudes of the early Writer explains: him, although he does become 20th century. And I think we got “Alan said that the story had to a bit tetchy when Kamelion there... but it’s definitely harder continue on straight from the connects himself to the TARDIS to write for more companions!” TV episode, The King’s Demons, data banks. Turlough finds In the second story, Power and deal specifically with Tegan’s himself in the curious position Game, Tegan takes part in a distrust and, to be honest, of having to try to pull everyone deadly gameshow as three brave complete and utter antagonism together when in the past he’s Earthlings enter the Void Pit against Kamelion. Apart from that, been the one who’s caused friction. in search of strange gems. the only other thing was that there “I was keen to get some Eddie says: “Alan told me had to be a monster, so I suggested quieter moments in for Tegan the story would go into a set the return of the Harrigain and Turlough, showing how with a fairly grim historical (war-loving space hippos!) from close they’ve become despite two-parter, so he wanted

VORTEX | PAGE 11 DOCTOR WHO KAMELION TRILOGY

something contemporary and fun to balance it out. Thinking about that period led me onto thinking about The Adventure Game, which I dimly remember watching as a kid, and other gameshows like The Krypton Factor and First Class and RIght: Jon Culshaw The Crystal Maze, and I built up the story from there. “It’s a little uneasy when Kamelion’s there – Tegan and Turlough are more suspicious of him than the Doctor is. In fact early in the play when Kamelion is missing, Turlough compares him to a lost digital watch. But

“THE KAMELION EMPIRE COULD BE REGARDED AS AN EXPERIMENTAL STORY.”

the Doctor treats Kamelion as a being in his own right, and refuses to give up on him.”

RINGING THE Kamelion the enemy command? An assassin? of an earlier invader’. That led trilogy of releases to a ‘My feeling is that the story would me to thinking that it could be B conclusion in March is need to be about Kamelion in some a story about the Doctor taking The Kamelion Empire by Jonathan way, to make him central to the plot, Kamelion home but discovering Morris, in which we finally because just plugging him into a it is in ruins. I was inspired by discover the origins of the conventional story as a companion paintings by Claude Lorrain, shape-changer. wouldn’t work – his shape-changing Pierre Patel and others, of peasants Jonny says: “The brief was abilities mean that either he will living amongst ruins – I must’ve to treat Kamelion as a proper solve the story by just impersonating been wandering around the Tate character, rather than a gimmick. the villain or you’ll have to have him trying to come up with ideas – as When Alan asked me if I was not working, which kind of defeats well as those paintings of the interested, this was my reply: the point of having him there. flight from Egypt where ‘Egypt’ ‘The interesting thing about ‘The other thing with Kamelion looks like a golf course with a Kamelion which never really went is that he has the capacity to be ruined pagoda in the distance. anywhere was that he was devised very sinister – I think the stuff “What arose from the story was as a weapon. My instant recall with him impersonating Peri’s the ‘trick’ of the adventure – that it of The King’s Demons is not as father worked really well. I think would be told using only the four comprehensive as it once was but perhaps Tegan’s relatives have cast members, the Doctor, Tegan, I think he was built in a war to do been comprehensively explored but Turlough and Kamelion. That with the Xeraphin or something. I’m who else could he impersonate to meant that it was particularly not quite sure what use he would freak her out? Maybe Tegan as a difficult to write, because I not be in a war, so finding an answer to little girl, wandering the TARDIS only had limited characters to that question might be a starting corridors like a Shining twin?’ play with, but I also had to think point. Presumably he was built by “This led onto an idea for in terms of, Okay, so X will have something or someone? Is he the the final story in the trilogy in done quite a few scenes with Y, last of his kind or are there other which we would discover where so now I should pair X with Z so Kamelions? And so on. I’m thinking Kamelion came from, why he was that Y gets a rest, and so on. I think maybe he was a spy or undercover created, and why he ended up left I more-or-less-got away with it! agent of some kind, sent to infiltrate for dead on Xeriphas – ‘the tool So The Kamelion Empire could be

VORTEX | PAGE 12 DOCTOR WHO KAMELION TRILOGY

Clockwise from left: Matthew Aubrey, Derek Hutchinson, Christopher Naylor, , “WE’VE Peter Davison, Janet Fielding, Bettrys Jones NEVER SEEN and Lizzie Roper KAMELION OUT ON AN ADVENTURE SO WE HAD A LOT OF FREEDOM WITH HOW HE’D REACT.” CAVAN SCOTT

regarded as an ‘experimental’ while under the influence story, a four-hander, but of the Black Guardian.” hopefully without feeling Eddie was of the same mind like it is limited as it’s a story as Cavan, explaining: “Not about the rise and fall of actually that hard because galaxy-spanning empires.” of how I used him here – I can’t really say much more ORTEX ASKS each of than that! The main thing the writers how I took was how he doesn’t V tough it was to write just change physically to fit for Kamelion, given his very his environment, he also limited screen time. changes his personality.” Cav says: “Not tough at all However, Jonny points DOCTOR WHO: to be honest. The great thing out: “It was kind of tricky, about the limited screen time because, as you say, he’s not BLACK THURSDAY/ is that we basically had a blank on screen very much, and as POWER GAME canvas. We’ve never seen ‘himself’ we’re only talking Kamelion out on an adventure about a very small number of so we had a lot of freedom scenes. So I decided to make a RELEASED February 2019 with how he’d react. I tried to virtue of that and to approach CD £14.99 Download £12.99 write him with a real can-do Kamelion as someone who is, attitude. After all, this is the essentially, an empty vessel Extras Interviews first time he’s been free.” in terms of personality, who Director Jamie, however, disagrees: modifies their character to Cast Peter Davison (The Doctor), “I watched and rewatched reflect who they’re with. We’ve Janet Fielding (Tegan Jovanka), Mark Kamelion’s appearances all met people like that! So Strickson (Turlough), Jon Culshaw (including his cut scene with he has a neutral, submissive (Kamelion), Lizzie Roper (Eira Hughes), Tegan from The Awakening) to personality but – and this is try to capture his character, the important thing – he still Tim Treloar (John Hughes), Matthew but even with that it was quite has motivation, he still has Aubrey (Gwyn Hughes), Derek tough. But strangely I found secrets, he can still be craven or Hutchinson (Geoff Evans),Bettrys it more difficult to write for brave. As for his dialogue, I just Jones (Judith Matson), Christopher Turlough! I think I have some channelled my inner Terence Naylor (James Hudd), Harriet Kershaw weird childhood block from Dudley (writer of The King’s (The Hostess), Natalie Winter (Una), when I used to watch him Demons), who is never that far Richard Popple (Richard), Dougie and be constantly frustrated from the surface.” McMeekin (Stuart), Alex Tregear (Sadia) by his duplicitous nature

VORTEX | PAGE 13 “THE FIRST BIG FINISH I DID WAS THE KINGMAKER BACK IN ABOUT 2005,” SAYS JON CULSHAW IN AN EXCLUSIVE CHAT WITH VORTEX. “NEV FOUNTAIN, WHO I KNEW FROM , WROTE IT.”

rom the word go it’s clear that Jon f is a big Doctor Who fan. He’s a fan like you and I. He knows story titles, and, although it never came up in conversation, you can tell he knows production codes too! And he’s a huge Big Finish fan. Despite being constantly busy as an actor, impressionist and even game show contestant, he was more than happy to talk all things TARDIS. Jon continues: “I started doing more Big Finish about three or four years ago. Sylvester McCoy is a great pal of mine – we live close to each other and often have a Monday night curry – and

VORTEX | PAGE 14 INTERVIEW JON CULSHAW

he said I should do another one. So he mentioned it to Big Finish and they asked me to come back in – and I’ve been working regularly with them ever since.” Jon spent plenty of time in studio for Big Finish in 2018 playing Brigadier Lethbridge- Stewart in the forthcoming series of The Adventures, as well as succeeding as the Fifth Doctor’s shape-changing robot companion, Kamelion. Jon admits: “It was a lovely challenge as I was always really fond of Kamelion. He’s a very elegant character with an intriguing look and air about him. When you try to do a shape-changing robot Above (l–r): Jon Culshaw, Janet in 1984, technology makes Fielding, Peter Davison and Mark Strickson it problematic, but I always thought on the television “HE’S A BIT LIKE C-3PO AND I’M SURE THEY HANG OUT AND DRINK ROBOTIC RUM TOGETHER!” JON CULSHAW

“As a small child, I had a where there are other phobia about shop window whose voice Kamelion takes dummies and statues in on, it’s voiced by them but graveyards – probably given an electronic treatment. started by those plastic “I have Scott to thank for ! – and Kamelion had casting me. We start with the that quality about him. Gerald Flood voice. Gerald’s “He’s also got a characterful character was very medieval episodes that the stillness of face. He’s a bit like C-3PO and with a wonderful slurry tone, Kamelion made him all the I’m sure they hang out and feeling very Irongron, and I more mysterious somehow. drink robotic rum together! thought a creature such as “It gave him a mystique, I can imagine them having a Kamelion would occupy that a slightly unnerving edge. relationship like ’s for a while. I felt that as time Because he was this fixed with .” went on he would default android shape, bound by Jon Culshaw, is, of course, back to a more neutral factory technology of the age, it famous in Britain for his setting – the voice he uses prompted Peter Davison vocal flexibility, making him when he hasn’t latched on and the others to go in and ideal casting by producer to anyone: a more neutral communicate with him, Scott Handcock, to take tone to match the look on his bringing him to life through on the robotic role. face. A bit of a sat-nav voice their performances. It was an Jon grins: “It’s quite an – electronic, but polite and interesting dynamic. I found interesting symbolism quintessentially British, giving his elegance very unnerving. bringing me in, but in the story freedom for other voices.”

VORTEX | PAGE 15 INTERVIEW JON CULSHAW

Given that Kamelion’s explore. His TV story was Doctor Who life only quite mercurial but I think extended to the television he would be a wonderful episodes, The King’s Demons character to come back to – and , plus imagine what you could do one deleted scene (The with him now with today’s Awakening), there’s plenty technology. You could make a of material regarding whole army of him, walking him still to be mined. very slowly, robotically, Jon agrees: “There’s a with his community, with whole story there to be that still look, marching developed and it was a symetrically. With Doctor fascinating background to Who, you can do anything! “you could MAKE A WHOLE ARMY OF HIM, WALKING VERY SLOWLY...” JON CULSHAW

“The Kamelion Empire is a terrific one – it’s a great idea for a character who featured in a more understated way on television to have an adventure like this to show his maximum potential and . There’s everything in this tale that you would want for a character like that, to be in a fascinating world. It’s a beautiful idea they’ve created. “Listening to the finished story all these months later it feels fresh and new – you find you’ve forgotten some of the moments, and things were recorded out of order. To hear it with all of the production and sound- scaping, all that built on, you easily forget that you were there and you can appreciate the brilliant writing of the story. I’m really looking forward to hearing the finished version.”

VORTEX | PAGE 16 BIG FINISH BOOKCLUB www.bigfinish.com/offers/v/bookclub ACCESS CODE: STORIES

GHOST MISSION Devotees of Torchwood will know that Sergeant Andy Davidson has wanted to join the Cardiff Torchwood team for years.

E APPEALED to Gwen having ‘nice’ adventures, Cooper several times on or reveal a grim and gritty For those who haven’t heard H TV, and was finally side to him. Instead, we’ve Norton yet, how would James given his chance in Big Finish’s teamed him up with Norton sum up his character? He smiles: audio drama, Ghost Mission. and given him a series of “Norton is outrageous and However, two big problems thoroughly miserable, but ambiguous. He may be evil, he faced him. Not only did he utterly fun outings. Poor bloke. may be good, he’s certainly out have to deal with an ancient “Honestly, it’s a dream to write for his own ends, and, in any being awakening as monsters for the two of them together. situation he always says the roamed , but When I wrote the first scene most hideous thing; he seems he was also paired with a of the audio drama Goodbye spontaneous, but he’s also always Torchwood assessor by the Piccadilly last year and sent seven moves ahead. He’s the kind name of Norton Folgate – who it to Scott, we both laughed of character who’d set fire to a just happened to be a ghost. and laughed at the idea.” carpet if he didn’t like a room, but Ghost Mission, released in Scott adds: “Norton Folgate it’d turn out that he was doing May 2016, was written by Big was written with Sam in mind. it to reveal a trapdoor.” Finish’s Torchwood producer I’d cast him as Robin Yeadon in Since making his debut in Ghost and directed by our adaptation of Nightshade Mission, Norton has become a big Scott Handock. James explains – ’s Doctor Who part of Torchwood at Big Finish, the story’s starting point was: debut, back in the 1990s – and most recently joining the cast of “The recording for Doctor Who: during recording of that, God Among Us 2, out this month. Nightshade. We’d got between takes, Sam occasionally James admits he never thought in to cameo a policeman and put on the clipped 1950s his creation would play such was in playing telephone voice that impressed a major part: “No, not really. I ’s love interest – and both producer James Goss enough to mean, I’m delighted he has as actors were delightful. I’d write a script to showcase it. I’d Sam is just so lovely to work with, been trying to come up with already worked with Sam on a and Tom and Sam are the dream a ‘proper’ Sergeant Davidson few other things, so I didn’t need team – just two brilliant people story for Torchwood, and at any convincing to have him it’s great to spend a day with. the same time Sam was just so, back. He’s an absolute delight!” emailed Scott so fun. After recording I said to James agrees: “It was always and me to say, ‘Put Sam Barnett Scott, “Imagine if a gay ghost Sam. His sense of humour in everything’, and so I think comes from 1950s Torchwood has a vicious twinkle to that’s now our plan!” to haunt Sergeant Davidson!” it. Norton is very much a “Sergeant Andy Davidson mixture of Joe Orton’s diaries, is nice. It’s a loaded word is Julian and Sandy, and a bit Ghost Mission is available for nice, but it fits him perfectly. of Murray Melvin in the download now at the special It’d be easy to show him either film, A Taste of Honey.” price of £2.99.

VORTEX | PAGE 17 ALLIFREY IS in a the past? ’s not a tyrant The box set begins with Havoc dangerous place as we necessarily, but he’s very black by David Llewellyn, who says: G head into Volume Two and white. He doesn’t mess about “I’m not sure I thought I was of the Gallifrey Time War range. or play games, he gets things starting from a cliffhanger, to The temporal conflict with the done, and so this box set explores be honest, because by the time has officially begun and Gallifrey’s reaction, on a world I was thinking in more detail the planet of the Time Lords is where some wish to temper about the adventure, I’d already in . Rassilon’s choices, whilst others met up with Scott and script Things have got so bad that want only to invigorate them.” editor, Matt, and we’d talked the Time Lords have reached through some of the ideas that back into their past to resurrect OOKING AT the series we could explore. Obviously, it’s their greatest hero, and, when we overall, Scott says: “It’s a humdinger of an ending to pick left Gallifrey Time War Volume L hard to single out too up from, but we decided quite One in the fourth adventure, much, but we deal with the early on to begin this series some Desperate Measures, Rassilon fallout of Rassilon’s return, the time after Rassilon’s return. was being restored to life. threat of planetary genocide, “When we were brainstorming Producer Scott Handcock says: and even assassination ideas, one of the things that “We ended the first box set on attempts. Everybody loses in came up was the idea of a cliffhanger – the resurrection wartime, and this set allows us Gallifrey as a police state. of Rassilon – so this volume to focus on the Time Lords and The way an apparently deals with the fallout from what they may or may not be civilised society can slide into that. It’s a bit like bringing a willing to do in order to defeat authoritarianism. My story had figure like Churchill back to . It’s as much about to establish that atmosphere campaign in the present day. the personal and political of fear and paranoia, and of How would a modern society conflict as it is about the some characters regretting actually deal with politics from greater war…” the decisions they made.

VORTEX | PAGE 18 GALLIFREY TIME WAR

Above (l–r): Abra Thompson, Paul Marc Davis, Lucy Robinson, Stephen Critchlow, Seán Carlsen, “the consequences Samuel Gosrani and Jessica Hayles are beginning to unfurl. There Critchlow, Carlyss are dark days Peer and Silas Carson playing a number DAVID LLEWELLYN ahead!” of off-worlders.” Script editor Matt Fitton says: “It’s the beginning of the “One of the first things Rassilon tipping point. Volume One gave does is to set up his own secret us the start of the war, and the police, headed by Mantus. He’s absolute chaos that unleashed. a very self-serving politician; Now the consequences are Mantus does everything he beginning to unfurl. There can to keep himself close are dark days ahead!” to the seat of power.” Scott adds: “As well as Samuel Clemens, playing and Narvin, we also have Livia Mantus, adds: “It was an absolute and Trave from the previous delight to play and I was very volume returning, and new humbled to be asked to do it. additions to the Gallifrey world. Mantus is hungry for power Samuel Clemens makes his debut and willing to do whatever it Above: Terrence Hardiman as Mantus, Rassilon’s right- takes to get to the top, he sides hand man in many respects; with whomever he needs to in whilst Samuel Gosrani takes order to get there. He is very on the role of Eris, a new agent like Iago from Othello, very terms of his stability and drive for Narvin to deal with at the manipulative. I approached to succeed no matter what. Celestial Intervention Agency. playing him like a cross between “It was such a joy to do and I Lucy Robinson, Jessica Hayles, Ian McDiarmind’s Emperor did relish in trying to undermine Rebecca Root and Nicholas Khan from Star Wars but on his way or side with certain characters also join the Gallifreyan ranks, up the Sith ladder and Anthony in the episode. Mantus reminded with Abra Thompson, Stephen Hopkins’s Hannibal Lecter in me a little of Wormtongue in

VORTEX | PAGE 19 GALLIFREY TIME WAR

Lord of the Rings but with higher having grown up watching and the War Council in their aspirations. Scott did a wonderful The Demon Headmaster on conduct of the war. job in crafting the episode and TV, I had a gut instinct for how “Narvin becomes involved in a we all had such fun bringing terrifying his voice could be. So partisan war on a planet that one it to life. It was definitely one I mentioned him to Nicholas day will become crucial to the of the greatest highlights for Briggs, and a few outcome of the Time War. But me personally as an actor in others, and everyone agreed he’s not the only one intervening the Big Finish universe.” he’d be a great fit. He brings a in the world’s conflicts... I hope Rassilon is performed by wonderfully serene menace that’s enough to be intriguing Terrence Hardiman, playing to affairs that lets you know without giving anything away!” an incarnation of the great he’s absolutely in control.” Una admits she enjoyed Gallifreyan before his Timothy David adds that writing for writing for a Gallifrey Dalton incarnation. Rassilon was: “Lots of fun undergoing huge political Scott explains: “We only saw because it’s Rassilon, but also change: “Well, that kind of a small slice of the Time War kind of intimidating because it’s setting is right up my street! on screen, and it would be very Rassilon! It’s a bit of a tightrope Lots of backroom dealing and conflicting agendas and clever people trying to outwit each other. Lovely stuff.” She added that her highlight was: “Working closely with Matt and Lisa McMullin to make the middle two scripts work together, and to give the whole series its arc. I love being in a writers’ room with other authors: it always makes the work so much better.” In the third story, Collateral by Lisa McMullin, the

“Lots of fun because Above (l–r): Samuel Clemens, Rebecca Root, Seán Carlsen, Lalla Ward, Pippa Bennett- it’s Rassilon,but Warner and Terrence Hardiman also kind of intimidating because easy to squeeze it all down and walk, giving it’s Rassilon!” connect all the dots in a linear him dialogue DAVID LLEWELLYN way, but let’s be honest: the Time that doesn’t War is meant to be massive. We sound too knew Rassilon would have to ‘panto villain’ or pretentious, effects of Rassilon’s return come back at some point, but while still having the right are felt more strongly. there’s also plenty of time before amount of gravitas and menace.” Lisa says: “They wanted we need to get to the sheer fury to explore the idea of the of Timothy Dalton’s incarnation. HE SECOND story of the resurrected Rassilon’s It’s more interesting to see how set, Partisans is written megalomania and increasing the Time War shapes Rassilon as T by Una McCormack, who ruthlessness with nobody well as our other characters, so explains: “The original idea was to check him; to see how far we’d always planned on an earlier to have Narvin and Romana he would go to ensure that incarnation for Volume Two. trying to recruit allies which the Gallifrey prevailed. Make “I did ask about Don War Council saw as cannon Gallifrey Great Again? Warrington as he was fodder. We ran in particular “And then to look at which previously established as Big with the latter part, about a characters might make a Finish’s Rassilon, but sadly he world which has strategic stand against him and how. was abroad filming for a big significance in the Time War. “In Collateral, Rassilon is chunk of the year. I’d worked That allowed us to explore the willing to destroy an entire with Terrence previously and differences between our heroes planet just to stop a parasitic

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race called the Sythes getting “Romana feels responsible their hands (claws/tentacles/ for everything that has pincers?) on a fuel source. happened on Gallifrey with Romana is determined that the Time Lords, and decides won’t happen and takes that if no one will do what’s measures which may spark needed, she will have to do a resistance movement it – even at the cost of her against the Time Lords. friends and home planet. “It was thrilling to find Narvin is initially horrified by myself on Gallifrey slap the idea, and in Assassins, we bang in the middle of the will see how Romana begins Time War – and slightly thinking the unthinkable.” frightening to be part of an uprising against Rassilon (I NE NOTICEABLE mean you don’t really want to absence from this get on his bad side). Writing O series is Louise Romana and Narvin was a Jameson as has dream – why can’t they take departed after her encounter GALLIFREY: TIME WAR with the War VOLUME TWO , with “It was thrilling Braxiatel and Ace to find myself also leaving. Scott says: “We on Gallifrey knew their fates slap bang in the from elsewhere so middle of the used Volume One to clear the decks Time War…” going forward: LISA McMULLIN Leela had been separated from the others in The charge here on Earth?!” audios, and Ace The final play in this box was due to return to Earth, set is Assassins by Matt so we thought this would be Fitton. Matt grins: “Assassins a good opportunity to set all originally had the working that up. I heard a few people HAVOC by David Llewellyn title Rassilon Must Die!, but say, ‘Well, they’ll be back next PARTISANS by Una McCormack that didn’t quite feel like box set’, but they’re not! It a Gallifrey series title, so would really undermine the by Lisa McMullin COLLATERAL I changed it in the end. impact of those stories if they ASSASSINS by Matt Fitton “By this point, it’s very much instantly popped up again – a case of Gallifrey having though they’re not forgotten. RELEASED March 2019 to deal with the result of But no, now it’s just Romana its actions in bringing back and Narvin on a world CD £23.00 Download £20.00 Rassilon to do a particular without any allies... which Extras Interviews job, but they’re finding he’s makes for interesting times. doing it in a more brutal “Even though we didn’t Director Scott Handcock and dictatorial manner have Louise with us, Lalla Cast Lalla Ward (Romana), Seán than they expected. and Seán have such a Carlsen (Narvin), Terrence Hardiman “Livia is back to account for strong dynamic together, (Rassilon), Pippa Bennett-Warner (Livia), her actions, even though she it still felt like family, and Samuel Clemens (Mantus), Samuel had hoped to get away scot they got to work with Gosrani (Eris), Paul Marc Davis (Trave), free, while Romana and Narvin some brilliant material. Lucy Robinson (Bovari), Rebecca Root are hanging on at the CIA. We These are, I think, some (Cantico), Jessica Hayles (Aladra), Abra visit another planet’s history of the strongest Gallifrey Thompson (Ysta), Stephen Critchlow in episodes two and three, scripts I’ve had to work (Temmis), Carlyss Peer (Knyla), Nicholas and because of what happens, with, and everyone really Romana decides she needs delivered, every step Khan (Dalia), Silas Carson (Future Trave) to take more direct . of the way.”

VORTEX | PAGE 21 VORTEXMAIL

Daleks’ point of view in the war? That would just be cool. AARON BECHTLOFF Nick: That is almost exactly the idea we’re currently planning to do, Aaron. Very early stages, though. And this is the first time I’ve mentioned it in public. So don’t tell anyway. Actually DO tell everyone!

BLAKE’S 7TH HEAVEN Just had to drop you a line to say how much I’m enjoying 221BACK? the most recent Blake’s 7 box I love stories. Specifically, I loveSherlock Holmes stories – I’ve sets. The stories have all been always found Big Finish’s Sherlock Holmes stories to be a top notch, and the cast really highlight of your considerable output. I revisited The Fleet Street do sound as if they’re enjoying Transparency and of Blackstone Grange over Christmas, themselves. Everything about and enjoyed them all over again. I was wondering if you had plans them is so good – the scripts, for more Holmes stories this year? It would be such a treat. the dialogue, and the music is ALEX WATTS so evocative of , Nick: Yes indeed, Alex. I can confirm that we will go into production to my ears. Well done to all with two further Holmes box sets this year, to be released in 2020. involved! Keep up the great Jonathan Barnes will be the author. Ken Bentley directing. Richard work. I just wish you had access Earl as Watson. And some bloke you may have heard of as Holmes. to series D. Who knows? Maybe in the future. ALAN T Nick: Ho, ho, D. Who indeed. But huge thanks, Alan. I shall pass this THE FINAL MEASURE? yes, the team will be returning on to our great Blake’s 7 producer, I really enjoyed The New in other contexts over the next John Ainsworth. It really makes a Counter-Measures – The year or so. massive difference to all of us that Hollow King, but from what the work we do is loved by listeners I’ve read online it seems TIME OF THE DALEKS? such as yourself. like this is the final sign-off I’ve recently gone back and for the series. It’s a shame relistened to the complete run UNITED AGAIN as I’ve followed it from day of Empire. Wow! I’d Now that we’ve got a new Third one. I love the characters of forgotten just how epic and Doctor team reUNITed (gettit?) Gilmore, Rachel, Allison and galaxy-spanning it is. We’ve at Big Finish, with Jon Culshaw Sir Toby – could we see them got awesome lead characters, as the Brigadier, could we maybe popping up elsewhere from and have the Daleks ever been have a UNIT series set in the 70s time to time, as they’re too this evil, without the Doctor with the Brig, Yates and Benton good a team to lose? to stop them? No! Great work, fighting off aliens without the COLIN JAMES Mr Briggs! It got me thinking Doctor? You’re producing so Nick: It’s that old bugbear – now that we’ve had stories many spin-offs that are female of economic necessity, Colin. set during the Time War with led – how about a set with the We love Counter-Measures. the War Doctor, War Master, original men from UNIT? Many of our listeners love Gallifrey and the Eighth JEFF FRASER Counter-Measures, but just Doctor, would a new series Nick: No plans for that yet, Jeff. not enough of them to cover the of Dalek Empire be possible, But it sounds like fun to me. costs of continuing to make the set at the same period, but Hmmm… (the sound of my brain episodes. A shame indeed. But showing things from the whirring, once again).

VORTEX | PAGE 22 COMINGSOON

THE BIG FINISH RELEASE SCHEDULE

FEBRUARY 2019 MAY 2019 ■■ DW • THE MONTHLY ADVENTURES: ■■ DW • THE MONTHLY ADVENTURES: BLACK THURSDAY/POWER GAME THE MOONS OF VULPANA (251, SEVENTH DOCTOR AND MAGS) (248, FIFTH DOCTOR, TEGAN, TURLOUGH AND KAMELION ) ■■ DW • THE TENTH DOCTOR ADVENTURES: ■■ DW • THE FOURTH DOCTOR ADVENTURES: NO PLACE (3.1 TENTH DOCTOR AND DONNA) SERIES 8B (8.B, FOURTH DOCTOR, ANN KELSO AND ) ■■ DW • THE TENTH DOCTOR ADVENTURES: ■■ DW • THE FOURTH DOCTOR ADVENTURES: ONE MILE DOWN (3.2 TENTH DOCTOR AND DONNA) TIME’S ASSASSIN (8.5, FOURTH DOCTOR, ANN KELSO AND K9) ■■ DW • THE TENTH DOCTOR ADVENTURES: DLO THE CREEPING DEATH (3.3 TENTH DOCTOR AND DONNA) ■ ■ DW • THE FOURTH DOCTOR ADVENTURES: ■■ DW • THE TENTH DOCTOR ADVENTURES: FEVER ISLAND (8.6, FOURTH DOCTOR, ANN KELSO AND K9) DLO VOLUME 3 (BOX SET) ■ ■ DW • THE FOURTH DOCTOR ADVENTURES: ■■ DW • THE THIRD DOCTOR ADVENTURES: THE PERFECT PRISONERS PARTS 1-2 VOLUME 5 (BOX SET) (8.7, FOURTH DOCTOR, ANN KELSO AND K9) DLO ■■ DW • SHORT TRIPS: TBA (9.05) DLO ■■ DW • THE FOURTH DOCTOR ADVENTURES: ■ THE PERFECT PRISONERS PARTS 3-4 ■ TORCHWOOD: SYNC (27) DLO (8.8, FOURTH DOCTOR, ANN KELSO AND K9) ■■ : BLOODLINE: VOLUME 2 ■■ DW • SHORT TRIPS: THE ASTREA CONSPIRACY (9.02) DLO JUNE 2019 ■■ DW • MISSY: SERIES 1 (BOX SET) ■■ DW • THE MONTHLY ADVENTURES: ■ ■ THE AVENGERS • THE COMIC STRIP ADAPTATIONS AN ALIEN IN VOLUME 3 (STEED AND TARA KING) (252, SEVENTH DOCTOR, ACE AND MAGS) ■■ TORCHWOOD: GOD AMONG US 2 (BOX SET) ■■ DW • THE COMPANION CHRONICLES THE : VOLUME 3 (BOX SET) MARCH 2019 ■■ DW • THE PATERNOSTER GANG: HERITAGE 1 (BOX SET) ■■ DW • THE MONTHLY ADVENTURES: THE KAMELION EMPIRE ■■ DW • SHORT TRIPS: TBA (9.06) DLO (249, FIFTH DOCTOR, TEGAN, TURLOUGH AND KAMELION ) ■■ TORCHWOOD: SARGASSO (28) ■■ DW • THE COMIC STRIP ADAPTATIONS: ■■ TORCHWOOD: GOD AMONG US 3 (BOX SET) VOLUME 1 (1, FOURTH DOCTOR) ■■ SURVIVORS: SERIES 9 (BOX SET) ■■ DW • THE EIGHTH OF MARCH ■ ■■ DW • SHORT TRIPS: ■ CALLAN: VOLUME 2 (BOX SET) DOCTORS AND DRAGONS (9.03) DLO ■■ GALLIFREY: TIME WAR 2 JULY 2019 ■■ BERNICE SUMMERFIELD: THE ■■ DW • THE MONTHLY ADVENTURES: TBA (253) MANUSCRIPT (AUDIOBOOK) DLO ■■ DW • THE OF TIME (BOX SET) ■■ TORCHWOOD: NIGHT OF THE FENDAHL (25) ■■ DW • THE WAR MASTER: RAGE OF THE TIME LORDS (BOX SET) APRIL 2019 ■■ DW • ADVENTURES: ■■ DW • THE MONTHLY ADVENTURES: THE FUTHER ADVENTURES OF (BOX SET) THE MONSTERS OF GOKROTH ■■ DW • SHORT TRIPS: TBA (9.07) DLO (250, SEVENTH DOCTOR AND MAGS) ■■ TORCHWOOD: TBA (29) ■■ DW • EIGHTH DOCTOR ADVENTURES: RAVENOUS 3 (BOX SET) ■■ BLAKE’S 7: RESTORATION 2 (BOX SET) ■■ DW • SHORT TRIPS: YEAR OF THE DREX OLYMPICS (9.04) DLO

■■ UNIT: THE NEW SERIES: INCURSIONS (BOX SET) ■■ BERNICE SUMMERFIELD: THE GODS OF THE UNDERWORLD (AUDIOBOOK) DLO

■■ TORCHWOOD: THE GREEN LIFE (26) DLO = DOWNLOAD ONLY ■■ DARK SHADOWS: BLOODLINE: VOLUME 1 DW = DOCTOR WHO ■■ DARK SHADOWS: BLOODLINE: EPISODES 1–13 DLO ISSUE: 120 • FEBRUARY 2019 WWW.BIGFINISH.COM

THE RETURN OF RASSILON

TIME WAR VOLUME TWO

INSIDE THIS ISSUE! DOCTOR WHO JON CULSHAW KAMELION BRINGING THE COMIC THE MAN OF MANY THE SHAPE-CHANGING STRIPS TO LIFE VOICES INTERVIEWED ROBOT RETURNS