THE YEAR OF BIG FINISH
Day 3: Whispers Of Terror
It's surprising how much a change of medium can influence a story. Each medium be it visual, audio, written, artistic, all are able to convey a story, but each can tell elements or certain stories in ways that others can't. With audio, it's down to the fact that, like with the written word, a good number of elements are left to the reader's or listener's imagination. Sometimes it's because what we imagine can be better than any visualisation of a certain element, or that the element in question only works effectively in the particular medium. Enter Whispers Of Terror by medium-hopping Who-guru Justin Richards, Big Finish's first experiment in semi-meta narratives...
The Museum of Aural Antiquities has found themselves with a treasure trove. Following his sudden passing, the collected works and speeches of renowned politician and public speaker Visteen Krane have been donated for archival, conservation, and posterity. The only thing is, the works are not how people remember them. When The Doctor and Peri find themselves in the midst of this bizarre manipulation of history, things soon spiral into them discovering a murder. But they will soon discover that their thief, manipulator and murder is no mere human... at least, not any more...
Being a fan of his videos, most notably his Big Finish ones, audio nut and cynical Whovian, Stuart Hardy (Stubagful)'s thoughts on a particular avenue of Big Finish's repertoire seems to have rubbed off on me. In particular, his admiration for the experimental releases, and those that utilise the audio medium in ways other mediums can not. This story is one such example, and is utterly brilliant because of it. Richards takes a traditional murder mystery and turns it on its head, using the medium of audio, and by extension, the listener's imagination, to conceive a set up and element that no other medium can properly replicate with the same level of effectiveness. And alongside that, the mystery itself has a healthy number of twists and turns to keep the listener hooked.
Plus, helping to keep the listener hooked are an exemplary cast. Joining Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant, and regular contributors Lisa Bowerman, Jacqueline Rayner and Richards himself, we have expert takes from Rebecca Jenkins, Hylton Collins, Harvey Summers, Mark Trotman, Nick Scovell and Steffan Boje, all helping to give the tale it's air of mystery with ease. But the supporting cast highlights have to be Matthew Brenher as the eponymous Visteen Krane, and the late great Peter Miles as Gantman, the Museum's curator, helping to showcase the wide range of talents from the man who infamously brought Nyder to life. Not to mention the returning power of Nick Briggs at music and sound design, expertly surpassing his prior work on Sirens, and creating a tense and thrilling atmosphere, all directed to perfection by the fantastic Gary Russell.
With the three releases done for 1999, the team at Big Finish have not only proven themselves, but showcased that they can push a story to the furthest edge when utilising its unique medium. Alongside a brilliant script, an expert cast, exemplary sound work, and impeccable directing, Whispers Of Terror not only proved Big Finish's effectiveness, but have proved that when it come down to what can be done with audio, they are thinking outside the CD case!
Doctor Who: Whispers Of Terror, is available on Download for £/$/€2.99 on the Big Finish Website, and on limited CD, Cassette and Download from other stockists.
TOMORROW: Mr Cole sends the Doctor and Nyssa off to Alaska, but something far worse than an abominable snowman waits for them...
The Museum of Aural Antiquities has found themselves with a treasure trove. Following his sudden passing, the collected works and speeches of renowned politician and public speaker Visteen Krane have been donated for archival, conservation, and posterity. The only thing is, the works are not how people remember them. When The Doctor and Peri find themselves in the midst of this bizarre manipulation of history, things soon spiral into them discovering a murder. But they will soon discover that their thief, manipulator and murder is no mere human... at least, not any more...
Being a fan of his videos, most notably his Big Finish ones, audio nut and cynical Whovian, Stuart Hardy (Stubagful)'s thoughts on a particular avenue of Big Finish's repertoire seems to have rubbed off on me. In particular, his admiration for the experimental releases, and those that utilise the audio medium in ways other mediums can not. This story is one such example, and is utterly brilliant because of it. Richards takes a traditional murder mystery and turns it on its head, using the medium of audio, and by extension, the listener's imagination, to conceive a set up and element that no other medium can properly replicate with the same level of effectiveness. And alongside that, the mystery itself has a healthy number of twists and turns to keep the listener hooked.
Plus, helping to keep the listener hooked are an exemplary cast. Joining Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant, and regular contributors Lisa Bowerman, Jacqueline Rayner and Richards himself, we have expert takes from Rebecca Jenkins, Hylton Collins, Harvey Summers, Mark Trotman, Nick Scovell and Steffan Boje, all helping to give the tale it's air of mystery with ease. But the supporting cast highlights have to be Matthew Brenher as the eponymous Visteen Krane, and the late great Peter Miles as Gantman, the Museum's curator, helping to showcase the wide range of talents from the man who infamously brought Nyder to life. Not to mention the returning power of Nick Briggs at music and sound design, expertly surpassing his prior work on Sirens, and creating a tense and thrilling atmosphere, all directed to perfection by the fantastic Gary Russell.
With the three releases done for 1999, the team at Big Finish have not only proven themselves, but showcased that they can push a story to the furthest edge when utilising its unique medium. Alongside a brilliant script, an expert cast, exemplary sound work, and impeccable directing, Whispers Of Terror not only proved Big Finish's effectiveness, but have proved that when it come down to what can be done with audio, they are thinking outside the CD case!
Doctor Who: Whispers Of Terror, is available on Download for £/$/€2.99 on the Big Finish Website, and on limited CD, Cassette and Download from other stockists.
TOMORROW: Mr Cole sends the Doctor and Nyssa off to Alaska, but something far worse than an abominable snowman waits for them...
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