"All that is, all that was.... all that ever could be...."

With everyone, there’s always that little bit of classic or popular culture that they always want to get around to but never bet the opportunity to or only have the slightest exposure to. With myself, it was classic sci-fi, however, Big Finish, not to mention a couple of other areas, have begun to ignite my interest in the classics. Not least, those of the grandfather of modern sci-fi, Herbert George Wells. Although many are aware of his monumental and immortal contributions to the genre, I think it can be safely said that not many have experienced the originals. With myself, I am rectifying that by not only listening to these magnificent recreations, but also from the original novels (thanks Alma Classics!). Out of the six announced for Big Finish’s season however, this was one I knew next to nothing about… It would certainly be interesting…

BIG FINISH CLASSICS REVIEW

HG WELLS' THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME

By Jack Ryan

BEWARE: THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK

There is a theory known as the Grandfather Paradox. It states that as much as can be tried to, history cannot be changed, because then how would someone get the urge to change history?
But what if you could? What if you could see a world that was the one yours was meant to be? A world like and unlike our own, with similarities and differences, with a history set in stone, but a future that could be striven towards?
Philip Raven has been given this opportunity. A chance to see… the shape of things to come. But when all is done, what will be his choice? Will he make his own future, or has it already been decided?

It’s a shame that this is one of the lesser known of Wells’ novels as, judging by this adaptation, it sounds like a bally good one. Although, in as far as I can ascertain, having not read the original novel, this adaptation has gone through a bit of an overhaul. With the original novel taking the form of a fictional history of future earth (and a damn near close one at that!), Guy Adams has restructured the story to fit a dramatic standpoint. And not only has he made it work, but he’s also made it bally well engaging and something just amazing to listen to, with the direction of the glorious Lisa Bowerman helping in gratuitous amount!

Whilst Big Finish has a cast of hundreds across all of their ranges, sometimes it does feel like the common internet joke regarding the BBC about them only having ten actors and reusing them all. But it helps sometimes when actors are reused as we get to hear them take on something different to what we remember. And although Nicola Walker will forever be etched in my mind as Liv Chenka, her take as the reality hopping Jane is tinged with both authority and humility, and works off of Sam Troughton’s Philip Raven perfectly, being the calm, sane side to Raven’s continued bafflement. Plus, there are outstanding takes from the rest of the cast, including the likes of Duncan Wibsey, Stuart Milligan, Simon Greenall, Eve Webster and Ewan Baliey. Every opportunity these brilliant people get, they throw all they’ve got into every line they utter. There’s a much more human connection in this one and that just completely works in its favour and just makes it so much more perfect.

As for music and sound design, Howard Carter and Iain Meadows take on the respective roles for this release, and like the cast, they throw everything they can at it. As a result, they manage to heighten the experience as much as the cast have done, and just help to highlight every scene’s mood and tone in every way it is possible to. Just divine, is all I can say further. Just divine.

As I’ve said before, it’s a shame that I hadn’t heard of this story before as it’s a brilliant one. But with this dramatisation, I don’t really think it matters that much if you know the source material or not. It still remains faithful to said source, whilst managing to be its own unique entity due to the format change. With brilliant writing, expert directing, a stellar cast, and pinpoint music and sound design, this is truly a brilliant release and showcases why Big Finish is something much more than a Doctor Who story factory. It is something all in itself and a true force to be reckoned with.

VERDICT: 10/10 Emotional, fantastical and downright engaging, The Shape Of Things To Come is essential listening for anyone and everyone! ;D

HG Wells’ The Shape Of Things To Come is available to purchase on CD and Download from the Big Finish website here, or from all good stockists.

Cover © Tom Newsom and Big Finish