So the basic premise is the publics perception ofDoctor Who(pre-2005) and his most famous nemesis.
Maggie Stables provides a welcome change from the usual companion.
Her mature academic Evelyn Smythe spars well with The Doctor, enjoying something approaching intellectual parity.
Martin Jarvis character Rochester is reminiscent of his role in the Colin Baker TV serialVengeance On Varos.
Jarvis plays a weak leader compromised in trying to satisfy two difficult factions.
Jarvis real-life wife Rosalind Ayres plays Rochesters wife Miriam.
Perhaps the best scene is the imprisoned singleDalek all the more chilling without the visuals!
Unlike the tauter TV version, this is a meandering tale which to be frank can be hard-going.
Whole scenes are performed by Daleks.
When not demanding or receiving orders, the Daleks sing and talk in faux cockney accents.
Though amusing this soon becomes tiresome.
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To be fair the first two episodes are very good and an enjoyable listen.
Setting the story in two time zones 1903 and 2003 allows for some clever moments.
The concept of the TARDIS splitting apart and The Doctor existing in two places at once is well handled.
The names of the protagonists Farrow and Rochester are in keeping with the Tudor period.
The name Farrow was used byBlackadder IIif memory serves.
A curates egg, then.
Entertaining and clever in places, ultimately the story is overwhelmed by silliness.
It evokes the Colin Baker era well in this respect.
Probably a bit OTT for fans of the current version of the series.
Nevertheless its interesting to see how a script for audio evolved into one for televison.
Big Finish Productions 2003.
40Running Time: 100 mins approx.
(4 x 25 minute episodes)
Rating:
3 out of 5
