Liverpool sound and Vision Rating 9/10
Cast: Sylvester McCoy, Tracey Childs, Christian Edwards, David Silbey, Jonathan Forbes, Paul Chahidi, Miranda Raison, Gemma Whelen.
Persuasion is perhaps the most potent weapon on the planet, if you can influence your way of thinking on to others what could that make you? A skilled negotiator perhaps, a person of reason, a tyrannical despot or perhaps the biggest persuader and manipulator of them all, The Doctor!
The seventh incarnation of the Doctor has returned for his now usual summer spot and this time he brings along for the ride the superb Tracey Childs as Elizabeth Klein, one of the most interesting new characters to have made her way into the Tardis since Big Finish started the Doctor Who audio series back in 1999.
When Tracey Childs first appeared in the audio dramas as the obsessive Nazi scientist Elizabeth Klein in the wonderfully scripted Colditz, (alongside future television Doctor David Tennant) it may well have been conceived as a one-off. However, excellent actors are hard to keep down and away from interesting roles and perhaps sparing against the eighth Doctor, her Umbrella Man, was too much to keep away from and the intrigue that flows between Klein and the Doctor, both masters of getting their way by indirect means, is a big plus for Big Finish.
Persuasion is the root to the story and whilst Klein and The Doctor work together, Klein’s new way of thinking as a hero of Unit, in the background, almost unnoticed but with great ability is the appearance of new protégé in Will Arrowsmith, played by Christian Edwards and almost immediately, with the persuasive writing of Jonathan Barnes, the listener can’t help but find this young eager scientist engaging. There have been too few likeable and engrossing male companions in the Doctor’s life, in the main audio range perhaps Hex, played by the outrageously good Philip Olivier, Frazer Hines’ Jamie and Mark Strickson’s Turlough have had a big impression on the listeners. Add to this Christian Edward’s Will Arrowsmith, for he gave the type of polished performance that fans of the genre can only dream off hearing from a new character.
Much also should be said in this case of the two main protagonists in the story. Both Paul Chahidi and the smooth talking Miranda Raison give the episode an air of gravitas with their bewitching medieval way of speaking, especially Ms. Raison as she seems such a natural at making the language of our fore-bearers seem rich and playful whilst holding the piercing thoughts wrapped up in a silken cloak. For this Jonathan Barnes should take a bow at giving an accomplished actor such great and interesting lines to convey.
In the 14 years since Big Finish first started producing the audio series, there have been many fascinating new characters who have made a big impact of the various Doctors and the fans of the range, Charlotte (Charley) Pollard, Professor Evelyn Smythe and Elizabeth Klein perhaps chiefly being the finest of the new companions. All the talk is of the 50th anniversary of the U.K.s premier science fiction programme and how many Doctors will be acknowledged during this auspicious period, surely though the same could be said of the non-canonical television travelling confidantes, will these three, especially Elizabeth Klein be mentioned on the television to tie the two series together. For the on-going future of Doctor Who, it might be seen as a pivotal moment in history.
Persuasion is available to purchase from Worlds Apart on Lime Street, Liverpool.
Ian D. Hall