DOCTOR WHO COMPANION CHRONICLES REVIEW
3.11: THE MAHOGANY MURDERERS
By Jack Ryan
BEWARE: THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK
The Companion Chronicles is a unique but fantastic range of Doctor Who stories that would be an absolute crime to overlook. Each is about an hour long and has one of the Doctor's many companions narrate a tale of their time in the TARDIS. A handful however expanded upon this concept to showcase us stories from the wider world of Doctor Who. Not only did this one begin that minute trend but started off, second to Doctor Who, probably Big Finish's most successful and critically acclaimed series....
At the beginning of the final decade of the reign of Queen Victoria two gentlemen meet each other in the Red Tavern Inn. These gentlemen are mortuary professor George Litefoot and theatrical impresario Henry Gordon Jago, newly partnered Investigators of Infernal Incidents. Although newly partnered, their interest and cunning in investigation the paranormal and supernatural has already been proven with the defeat of the nefarious Magnus Greel, with the assistance of the renowned time traveller The Doctor and his companion Leela. Now a new case has arisen when a body washes up in the river. The questions are: why is the body a wooden mannequin; how are they connected to a recent spate of murders; and does the enigmatic Dr Tulp have anything to do with these mahogany murderers? Only Jago, Litefoot and their new accomplice, tavern barmaid Ellie Higson can find out....
The only way I can start this review is.... GO SEE TALONS OF WENG-CHIANG!!!! SEE IT!!!! It's a brilliantly done Bob Holmes story, with twists, turns, Sherlock Holmes allusions left, right and centre, and.....IT'S A BLOODY BOB HOLMES STORY!! Got that? Good....
Professor George Litefoot and Henry Gordon Jago, in another reality, might not have as much attention as they have nowadays. The main reason I think that they have remained relevant all these years is not only the brilliant writing and character construction of Robert Holmes, but the pure joyous performances of their actors, Trevor Baxter and Christopher Benjamin respectively. They are such a joy to watch that many had been petitioning for the duo to have a spin-off ever since they first appeared. And whilst K-9 and Company may have seen off any future TV spin-offs until 2006, writer Andy Lane decided the world needed more Jago and Litefoot...
The story is brilliantly written and crafted by the aforementioned Mr Lane, constructed to be it's own unique entity, whilst also being a back-door pilot for a potential spin-off (I think we all know what happened with that!). As per the standard for Companion Chronicles, the story is narrated by our duo of investigators, and due to one's perchant for the theatre, this presents many well done opportunities for gags and japes, as well as an intriguing mystery for the duo to solve, and in that aspect, Lane's talent shines, as is also shown in his Young Sherlock Holmes range...
The only other cast member joining us is Companion Chronicles director, the glorious Lisa Bowerman, as barmaid Ellie Higson. Let me iterate how cool this is. This is the director of this story, who also happens to be Bernice Summerfield...... WITH A COCKNEY ACCENT!!!! That alone should be incentive enough to give this story a listen. That plus the amazing music and sound design from David Darlington, everything about this story just makes it a delight to listen to.
With the Jago and Litefoot spin-off going from strength to strength, this lovely little reminder of its beginning is a pure joy to experience. That and it sets up the overarching plot of the first series, which can only mean beginning of the long but amazing journey of Jago and Litefoot!
VERDICT: 5/5 A stupendous seasoned story of dazzling deductiveness and masterful mystery! ;D
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