Big Finish: Torchwood - Tropical Beach Sounds and Other Relaxing Seascapes #4

Wednesday, 8 April 2020 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Tropical Beach Sounds and Other Relaxing Seascapes #4, read by Sir Michael Palin (Credit: Big Finish)

Tropical Beach Sounds and Other Relaxing Seascapes #4 (Credit: Big Finish)

Big Finish have released the latest in their regular range of Torchwood audio dramas, but this time in the form of a spoken-word relaxation tape, narrated in the warm, expensive tones of Sir Michael Palin!

You are listening to a self-help tape. You are hearing a soothing voice. You have always wanted to do something with your life, haven't you? Oh, how you've ached to be a better person.

Well now. This is your chance. Go on. Sit back. Close your eyes. Relax. You're going to learn all about Captain Jack Harkness. You're going to learn all about Torchwood.

You're going to change the world.

Narrator, Sir Michael Palin said:

I enjoy doing radio and I enjoy doing recordings because you have to try to create a picture for people. And especially something like Torchwood: Tropical Beach Sounds and Other Relaxing Seascapes #4 as it's catchily called, because there's lots to it. It works on lots of different levels.

It's a very sustained piece. It's a long piece of narration to do. There are lots of different ideas and the pace changes abruptly, and very quickly, from larky- jokey, to very dark and rather violent. Anyone who likes reading stuff, you want to be given something that tests you a bit and this certainly tested me.”

Writer, Tim Foley added:

It was pure joy to watch Sir Michael Palin sink his teeth into the script. He delighted in its weird comedy and revelled in its wonderful menace. I sat there in the studio mesmerised by his delivery. What a lovely voice! What a lovely man!

Torchwood: Tropical Beach Sounds and Other Relaxing Seascapes #4 is now available as a collector’s edition CD, or can be downloaded from the Big Finish website. Subscribers to the Big Finish Torchwood range can save money by pre-ordering a bundle of six or all twelve of the forthcoming stories.

Please note that Big Finish is currently operating a digital-first release schedule. The mailout of collector’s edition CDs will be delayed, but all purchases of this release unlock a digital copy that can be immediately downloaded or played on the Big Finish app from the release date.

FILTER: - Audio - Big Finish - Torchwood

Big Finish: The Fifth Doctor Adventures – Wicked Sisters

Tuesday, 7 April 2020 - Reported by Chuck Foster

The Fifth Doctor Adventures - Wicked Sisters, with Peter Davison, Louise Jameson, Ciara Janson and Laura Doddington (Credit: Big Finish)

Big Finish have released details on a new boxed set to be released in November 2020: The Fifth Doctor Adventures – Wicked Sisters sees the fifth Doctor (Peter Davison) reunited with an earlier companion Leela (Louise Jameson) as he reencounters Grace sisters Abby (Ciara Janson) and Zara (Laura Doddington).

The Doctor is recruited by Leela for a vital mission on behalf of the Time Lords. Together, they must track down and destroy two god-like beings whose extraordinary powers now threaten all of space and time. Their names are Abby and Zara...

The characters Abby and Zara were created by pan-dimensional beings the Grace to assist – and sometimes hinder – the Doctor in the Key2Time Trilogy, and then went on to their own time-spanning adventures in the spin-off series, Graceless. After centuries of their own wanderings through time and space, Abby and Zara are about to meet the Time Lord again...

The new full-cast Doctor Who audio drama box set will feature three linked adventures: The Garden of Storms, The Moonrakers, The People Made of Smoke. The stories are all written by Graceless’ creator and writer, Simon Guerrier, who wrote the very first appearance of Abby and Zara in Doctor Who: The Judgment of Iskaar.

Producer Mark Wright said:

It’s been ten years since we first took Abby and Zara off on their own adventures, and it’s fun to get the team that’s worked on every episode of Graceless together every couple of years.

Simon Guerrier’s scripts always take us into unexpected territory, and Ciara Janson and Laura Doddington bring something new to their performances each time Abby and Zara are back together. As it’s been a decade since the first series of Graceless, we thought it was time to bring things full circle and take the sisters back to where it all began – with the Fifth Doctor.

Simon added:

It’s been a thrill to write for the Fifth Doctor and Leela, and put them up against Abby and Zara. You don’t need to know anything about Graceless - that was part of the brief from my masters - but they’re sisters with extraordinary powers that threaten all of time and space.”

They’re very different from the women the Doctor first met all those years ago when we did the Key2Time series. Back then, he wasn't required to kill them...

The three days we had in studio just before Christmas were the highlight of my working year. A dream cast, a lot of laughter, and Lisa Bowerman ably marshalling everyone as we faced the collapse of the universe.

Doctor Who: The Fifth Doctor Adventures – Wicked Sisters is available for pre-order exclusively from the Big Finish website.

FILTER: - Audio - Big Finish - Fifth Doctor

Big Finish Suspend Recording Sessions

Tuesday, 17 March 2020 - Reported by Marcus

Due to the recent advice from Government about the spread of the Corona-19 virus, Big Finish has taken the decision to temporarily suspend the recording of audio dramas.

Speaking about the precaution to pause recording sessions, Chairman of the production company, Jason Haigh-Ellery, said:

We have always worked considerably in advance – indeed some of our series have recordings dates that are up to four years in advance of their release date. So we are lucky enough to have many productions already ‘in the can’

Subsequently, pausing recordings will cause minimal disruption to this year’s releases.

The majority of Big Finish’s staff are freelance and work from home and so are fully able to continue to work remotely, whether writing productions for when we re-open the studios, or editing and sound designing those productions already recorded.

However, the safety of our actors is of paramount importance and, given the advice by public health experts to limit the risk of transmitting the virus, we have taken the decision to suspended our recording schedule in consultation with the studios that we use on a regular basis.

We will obviously continue to review all productions on a case-by-case basis and take further expert advice where necessary.

At the moment, it is our hope to proceed with the annual Big Finish Day gathering on 6 June 2020 at Quad, Derby. If the situation changes, we will inform those who have bought tickets as early as possible.

For now, however, it’s business as usual for Big Finish.

FILTER: - Audio - Big Finish

Humble Doctor Who Comics & Audiobooks Bundle

Thursday, 27 February 2020 - Reported by Marcus

Humble has launched its latest bundle of Doctor Who Magazines and Audiobooks.

The bundle includes digital Doctor Who content from both Titan Comics and Big Finish and runs until Wednesday 11 March 2020 at 7pm GMT/11am PST.

As well as getting a selection of Doctor Who comics and audiobooks, purchasers will also be supporting BBC Children in Need as a percentage from each bundle sold will go to the BBC's charity - set up to change the lives of children and young people across the UK.

Pay what you want for over $600 worth of Doctor Who comics and audiobooks including...

TIER 1: Pay $1 or more to get the following...

Comics
Audiobooks

TIER 2: Pay $8 or more to get the following (in addition to Tier 1)...

Comics
Audiobooks

TIER 3: Pay $15 more to get the following (in addition to Tier 1 and 2)...

Comics
udiobooks

More details here

FILTER: - Audio - Big Finish - Comics

Freema Agyeman returns to Big Finish

Monday, 9 September 2019 - Reported by Marcus

Torchwood: Dissected (Credit: Big Finish)

Freema Agyeman reprises her role as Martha Jones in a brand new audio adventure from Big Finish Productions.

Torchwood: Dissected sees Agyeman paired up with Eve Myles as Gwen Cooper in Torchwood: Dissected.

Martha Jones who was the companion of the Tenth Doctor in his second series returns to the world of Torchwood in February next year. Freema Agyeman starred in series 3 of New Doctor Who and its spin-off show, Torchwood, before going on to a huge career.

Big Finish Productions has announced it is delighted that Freema is reprising her role in this new Torchwood story, which explores what Martha did after her adventures with the Doctor.

Employed by UNIT, Martha is reunited with former Torchwood colleague Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles) – over a dead body...

Gwen Cooper turns up on Martha Jones’s doorstep with a dead body in tow. She needs to ask one final favour of her. And to find out why they stopped being friends.

A lot’s happened to Torchwood since Martha left. A lot’s happened to Martha since she left Torchwood. And there’s something very odd about the dead body Gwen’s brought with her. Tonight she's going to be getting more answers than she bargained for.

Freema Agyeman talked about returning to the character of Martha Jones.

Aw mate, the nostalgia has been quite overwhelming. It really is like stepping into comfortable old shoes. It feels like about five minutes ago and yet so much time has passed. That’s the wonderful thing about the Whoniverse – you never feel on the outside of it. It’s great to be back.

Director Scott Handcock added

I first met Freema back in 2006 working on Doctor Who Confidential. I watched Martha Jones arrive and grow, and it’s a pleasure to welcome her back to the world of Torchwood. It’s something we’ve been chatting about for years, and to finally make it happen with the amazing Eve Myles (who adores her and vice versa) is a real treat!

Writer Tim Foley told us more about uniting two of science fiction’s most courageous female leads

Martha Jones is back! And I’ve locked her in a room with Gwen! It’s such a delight to pit these two against each other. This is quite an experimental story – you’ll be listening to an autopsy in real time, which was such a fun challenge. Luckily for me Eve and Freema spar off each other marvellously, stuck in a lab with nothing but a corpse for company...

Torchwood: Dissected starring Freema Agyeman and Eve Myles, will be released in February 2020 priced at £7.99 on download or £9.99 on CD.

FILTER: - Audio - Big Finish - Torchwood

Sixth Doctor and Peri return in new audio adventures for 2020

Tuesday, 20 August 2019 - Reported by Chuck Foster

The Sixth Doctor and Peri - Vol 1: Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant (Credit: Big Finish)

Big Finish have announced four new adventures for the Sixth Doctor and Peri for August 2020, set after The Trial of a Time Lord and their audio adventure The Rani Elite.

Producer/Director Scott Handcock said:

Ever since the Sixth Doctor and Peri were reunited in The Widow’s Assassin back in 2014, listeners have wanted a continuation of their post-Trial of a Time Lord adventures together. And so now, to commemorate twenty years of Doctor Who at Big Finish, they’re getting a new collection of stories spanning the cosmos. We travel to nineteenth-century Africa, futuristic Earth colonies and a 1970s film studios plus we meet the ultimate Doctor/companion relationship counsellor in Sigmund Freud!

Nicola Bryant said about her character's return:

Because of the journey that BF have given them, both together and individually, we’ve been lucky enough to expand them into these amazing new people. If everything had stayed in some kind of stasis where we were stuck with exactly what we did on television, then I think the audience might have disappeared. But it just seems that we’ve been given such great journeys, and I love coming back to this Doctor/companion.

This new set of stories will also feature Colin Baker's daughter Rosie in the third adventure.

The Sixth Doctor and Peri - Vol 1 (Credit: Big Finish)

1. The Headless Ones by James Parsons & Andrew Stirling-Brown
When a distress call from an unknown source threatens to rip the TARDIS from the vortex, the Doctor and Peri arrive in nineteenth-century Africa hoping to find the cause of the disturbance. Instead, they meet a British expedition searching for a long lost tribe: the B’lemyae… better known to the locals as ‘the Headless Ones’.

2. Like by Jacqueline Rayner
On the Earth colony world Rusina, the populace strive to be popular. Likes lead to promotion, dislikes lead to demotion – and more recently, something worse. So when the Doctor investigates the truth behind their subscriber-led society, he finds himself about to become very unpopular indeed.

3. The Vanity Trap by Stuart Manning
Myrna Kendal used to be a Hollywood film star. Now she spends her life reminiscing on chat shows but there is always one unfinished film she refuses to talk about… at least until the TARDIS interrupts a TV interview, and the Doctor and Peri’s appearance stirs up long-forgotten memories.

4. Conflict Theory by Nev Fountain
Concerned by the Doctor’s increasing over-protectiveness, Peri presents him with an ultimatum: either they seek counselling or she leaves the TARDIS permanently. Reluctant to lose one of his closest friends, the Doctor seeks out one of the finest psychoanalysts in the universe: Dr Sigmund Freud.

Cast
Colin Baker (The Doctor), Nicola Bryant (Peri Brown), Deirdre Mullins (Amanda Latimer), Hugh Skinner (Lord Oliver Erpingham), Vivienne Acheampong (Siyanda), Javone Prince (Kaylin), Lucy Robinson (Christie), Eilidh Loan (Marconi), Amelia Donkor (Hoffmann), Rachel Atkins (Governor Crompton), Timothy Blore (Sandis-Fernis), Sarah Douglas (Myrna Kendal), Rosie Baker (Carolyn Sue), Stephen Critchlow (Jimmy Garfield), Ryan Forde Iosco (Dr. Karp), David Sibley (Dr. Freud), Raj Ghatak (The Complex), George Naylor (Dodo).

The Sixth Doctor and Peri - Vol 1: Cast from The Headless Ones (Credit: Big Finish)

The Sixth Doctor and Peri - Vol 1: Cast from Like (Credit: Big Finish)

The Sixth Doctor and Peri - Vol 1: Cast from The Vanity Trap (Credit: Big Finish)

The Sixth Doctor and Peri - Vol 1: Cast from Conflict Theory (Credit: Big Finish)

FILTER: - Audio - Big Finish - Sixth Doctor

Torchwood: Serenity

Wednesday, 10 July 2019 - Reported by Marcus

Big Finish Productions have released a new Torchwood Audio play marking ten years since the character of Ianto Jones was killed in the BBC Television series

Originally scheduled for release on 25 July, Torchwood: Serenity has been made available early as a surprise treat for fans of the show and to mark the tenth anniversary.

The story reunites John Barrowman and Gareth David-Lloyd in a new full-cast audio drama.

Tuesday 9th marked ten years to the day since Ianto Jones, one of the most beloved characters ever in the science fiction genre, died in episode four of Russell T Davies’s Torchwood: Children of Earth. Since then, Torchwood has been revived as an international co-production for television in Miracle Day (2011), and continues to thrive in multiple audio drama ranges courtesy of Big Finish.

Fans of Torchwood and Ianto Jones were absolutely dismayed when the character was killed off as a result of gas poisoning by alien menace, the 456. The following public outcry sparked huge online campaigns, a charity fundraiser in his name (which raised more than £10,000 for Children In Need), and even a Ianto shrine in Cardiff’s Mermaid Quay.

James Moran, who co-wrote the 2009 TV mini-series with Russell T Davies and Torchwood TV episode, Sleeper, has returned to pen this new story set before the events of Children of Earth.

And, at first sight, it looks like they’ll live ‘happily ever after’

Serenity Plaza is the most exclusive gated community in South Wales. You’d kill to live there.

Jack and Ianto have gone undercover as a happily married couple. There are rumours that something’s wrong at Serenity Plaza and they’re determined to investigate. But the problem is that Serenity Plaza is just so rigidly normal.

Suddenly, Jack and Ianto have to confront the problems that normal couples face. Sharing a house together, doing the washing up, entering the residents’ baking contest, and hoping to win the Best Kept Lawn. Competition is fierce. Because this is Serenity Plaza. And you’d kill to live there.

Writer James Moran shared his thoughts on this very special release:

Surprise! Beyoncé-style surprise album drop! Me and Beyoncé, so similar in so many ways... I’m really excited that you’re getting this early, I can’t wait to see what you make of it. It’s VERY weird, VERY silly, and I’m still not sure how I got away with it!

I’ve adored jumping back into this universe – Torchiverse? Woodyverse? – and playing with its unique toybox. It’s a particular joy to release this on the tenth anniversary of Ianto’s on-screen death – how many other characters live on like this? Thank you for keeping him alive, and for always being there for absolute madness like Serenity. Now, keep off the grass, don’t use the blue towels, and DON’T mess with Ianto’s kebabs.

Director Scott Handcock added:

When we first started doing new Torchwood stories, we knew Gareth and Ianto were loved, but had no idea to what extent. Gareth was initially nervous about reprising the role, but has embraced the audio medium, both as an actor and writer. That’s the joy of Big Finish. Without compromising the power of his on-screen death, Ianto’s living as full a life as ever, and it’s a joy to be a part of.

Torchwood: Serenity was released at midday on Tuesday 9th July, priced at £7.99 on download or £9.99 on CD.

FILTER: - Audio - Big Finish - Torchwood

The Lives of Captain Jack

Wednesday, 1 May 2019 - Reported by Marcus

Coming out in June 2019, Captain Jack Harkness and the Sixth Doctor swap coats in The Lives of Captain Jack Volume Two.

John Barrowman reprises his role as the dashing omnisexual Time Agent, Captain Jack, in the second volume of audio adventures from Big Finish Productions in association with BBC Studios.

In The Lives of Captain Jack Volume Two, Captain Jack takes on fake news, trench warfare and the Sixth Doctor’s dress sense in three new stories:

Piece of Mind by James Goss
What Have I Done? by Guy Adams
Driving Miss Wells by James Goss

John Barrowman’s Captain Jack made his memorable first appearance in television’s Doctor Who revival in 2005, inspiring head writer and executive producer, Russell T Davies, to create the spin-off series Torchwood for him.

Producer of The Lives of Captain Jack and Torchwood audio series at Big Finish, James Goss, tells us more about this second box set

As we had such a great time doing the first volume it seemed a lovely idea to do another. Amazingly, John managed to find time for us AND capture a nation’s heart in the jungle. Hearing him face off against Colin Baker’s Doctor is the joy we’ve all been waiting for.

The Lives of Captain Jack Volume Two, out for release in June 2019, is available for pre-order now from Big Finish at £24.99 on CD or £19.99 on download, rising to its general release price of £34.99 on CD or £29.99 on download.

FILTER: - Audio - Big Finish

Big Finish - Fifth Doctor meets Cicero

Friday, 5 April 2019 - Reported by Marcus

Samuel Barnett, Peter Davison (Credit: Big Finish)

Peter Davison’s Fifth Doctor meets Samuel Barnett’s Cicero this September in a Doctor Who audio drama from Big Finish Productions as the Doctor, Tegan and Nyssa travel back to ancient Naples and the town of Cumae by the base of Mount Vesuvius.

The Fifth Doctor (Peter Davison) resumes his travels in space and time this September with companions Tegan (Janet Fielding) and Nyssa (Sarah Sutton). But instead of exploring the far reaches of space he’s taking a little trip back in time to meet an icon of classical philosophy.

Cicero was a Roman politician, lawyer and orator living in a time when the Roman Empire was in a turbulent position due to the rise of Caeser. Cicero’s impact on Latin languages is immeasurable, which makes him a worthy candidate to meet the hero of space and time, the Doctor!

Samuel Barnett, the star of Cicero – a Big Finish Originals range – reprises his role to join the world of Doctor Who in Tartarus by David Llewellyn.

Peter Davison, who first played the Doctor on television in 1981, told us more about recording this new audio story

I love an adventure where we interfere with history, especially when we completely destroy the reputation of a historical character! My Doctor travelled to The Great Fire of London, then the destruction of the dinosaurs… everything in history is handed down to us.

I think all our heroes of history would be disappointments if we actually met them! Plus, I was ‘fanboying’ over Dirk Gently which Samuel starred in.

Samuel Barnett also told us more about bringing his portrayal of the classic orator to the world of science fiction

There is a precedent in Doctor Who of the Doctor visiting real life occasions, locations and people that are familiar to us in history. The Doctor meeting Cicero lets us see Cicero’s skills as an orator that will hopefully help to save the day… Peter Davison’s portrayal of the Doctor was my Doctor on television when I was growing up, so I’m absolutely thrilled.

October’s release of The Monthly Adventures is Interstitital / Feast of Fear by Carl Rowens / Martyn Waites and in November, Warzone / Conversion by Chris Chapman / Guy Adams.

All three Fifth Doctor adventures can be pre-ordered ahead of their release in September, October and November 2019 at £14.99 on CD or £12.99 on download. All CD purchases unlock a download option via the Big Finish app and the Big Finish website.

FILTER: - Audio - Big Finish - Fifth Doctor - Peter Davison

A Medley of Masters

Thursday, 28 March 2019 - Reported by Marcus

Big Finish Audio Productions have announced the finale of the latest series of Eighth Doctor adventures, and with it comes the ultimate battle. The Eighth Doctor (Paul McGann) and his companions face off against several iterations of the Master.

Michelle Gomez, Derek Jacobi, Geoffrey Beevers and Eric Roberts all return to the role of the Master/Missy for the finale of the collected Eighth Doctor range, Ravenous, being released in October 2019.

Mark Bonnar, Paul McGann, Hattie Morahan (Credit: Big Finish)

Paul McGann and Eric Roberts will be facing off against each other for the first time since the Doctor Who television movie was released in 1996 – 23 years ago. Nicola Walker and Derek Jacobi are also being reunited for Ravenous 4 having appeared together as daughter and father in the popular BBC One costume drama, Last Tango in Halifax.

The Eighth Doctor team – Paul McGann (the Doctor), Nicola Walker (Liv Chenka) and Hattie Morahan (Helen Sinclair) – is joined by Mark Bonnar playing the deranged murderous Time Lord, the Eleven, who retains the personalities of his previous regenerations. But against more than one Master, the Doctor will need all the help he can get.

Three stories will see Ravenous come to an epic conclusion.

The past, the present, and the future conspire against the Doctor as he fights to defeat the only creature ever to strike fear into the hearts of a Time Lord.

4.1 Whisper by Matt Fitton
4.2 Planet of Dust by Matt Fitton
4.3 and 4.4 Day of the Master by John Dorney

The writer of the finale, John Dorney, tells us more

Day of the Master was possibly the most exciting and yet terrifying brief I’ve ever had. Finishing off the Ravenous arc was a big enough responsibility on its own... but throw in wanting to give great material to Sir Derek Jacobi... and Michelle Gomez... and that’s before we even get to the heart-stoppingly fantastic prospect of bringing Eric Roberts’ Master back face to face with the Doctor again for the first time in over twenty years.

Well, you can see why it might be intimidating! But honestly, it was one of the best times I’ve ever had writing a Doctor Who story. I really hope the audience enjoy it as much as I did!

Producer, David Richardson tells us more about approaching the end of this epic four-part series

We’ve tried to do something a bit different with Ravenous. Coming out of Doom Coalition, we wanted to go a bit darker, a bit scarier – to mark the saga with a shift in tone. With all four box sets now recorded, I feel a sense of relief – it’s been such a huge logistical challenge! Ravenous 4 alone required six studio days in cities as far apart as Los Angeles, New York and London! But we did it. We told that whole, big story and we’ve brought back three Masters and Missy in a breathtaking finale.

It was a real thrill to bring Geoffrey Beevers into our Eighth Doctor Adventures, doing what he does best in Planet of Dust - subjugating an alien world, and then setting about a chain of events that will drive our Ravenous story forward.

I’m really proud of it – and yet I don’t really have much time to stop and think about it because we’re already onto the next chapter for the Eighth Doctor! And life is going to be very different for him and his companions

Plus director Ken Bentley

This seems to have been a box set for reunions. It’s going to be fascinating to hear what listeners think of the Eighth Doctor reuniting with Roberts’ Master. I’m sure those shockwaves will ripple through time. But it was a genuine delight to have Nicola Walker reunite with Derek Jacobi. The green room was filled with laughter that day.

Doctor Who Ravenous 4 is available for pre-order now ahead of its release in October 2019. And Ravenous 3, being released in April, is also available for pre-order. Both these titles are priced at £23 on CD or £20 on download each.

Previous releases, Doctor Who Ravenous 1 and 2 are both available at £35 on CD or £30 on download. All four volumes of Ravenous are available in a bundle (each available on their release), priced at £90 on CD or £80 on download.

FILTER: - Audio - Big Finish - Eighth Doctor

Previous 10 Stories

Big Finish: Torchwood - Tropical Beach Sounds and Other Relaxing Seascapes #4

Big Finish: The Fifth Doctor Adventures – Wicked Sisters

Big Finish Suspend Recording Sessions

Humble Doctor Who Comics & Audiobooks Bundle

Freema Agyeman returns to Big Finish

Sixth Doctor and Peri return in new audio adventures for 2020

Torchwood: Serenity

The Lives of Captain Jack

Big Finish - Fifth Doctor meets Cicero

A Medley of Masters

This Week in Doctor Who

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