The Companion Chronicles

Review: Will these CDs run and run, or sprain an ankle?

This is such a brilliant idea - audio book adventures of the first four Doctors as told by their companions. Wow - it's Liz Shaw! Gasp - its Romana! Applaud - it's Zoe! Oh - it's Vicki.

Surprisingly, Vicki's adventure is the most succesful. A rattling tale of cold phoenixes and Jane Austen, Frostfire is Marc Platt pulling off his usual magic, creating a First Doctor adventure every bit as exciting as our memories. Maureen O'Brien gives a lovely performance, and this could easily have been a longer story without being any less enjoyable.

The Beautiful People has two advantages - a fruity script from Jonathan Morris, and Lalla Ward giving it her all as Romana. The Time Lady trots around an alien Health Farm, merrily thwarting a plan to destroy all fat people. Full of jolly quips and withering sighs it's a marvellous listen - Lalla Ward will even say "Romana gave a weary sigh" and then sigh!

Gradually, doubts about the quality of the actual production creep in. Despite being set in mostly small rooms, poor Marcia Ashton's villain is saddled with an echo effect. When she's sparring with Lalla Ward, it sounds sadly like she shouting her part from the loo.

I'm also suspicious that this was recorded in a hurry - by the end of episode four, Lalla Ward's breathless from all the verbal fireworks, which sounds great for Romana, but it's a bit strange to hear K9 panting in the middle of a supposedly deadpan line about Corbusier furniture.

Nigel Fair's The Blue Tooth needed another draft. It's an excellently atmospheric, moody adventure, with Caroline John on top form as Liz Shaw. The combination of Cybermen and dentistry is truly unsettling, but there's a nagging feeling that the story didn't quite play out according to plan. There are wonderful moments that aren't properly explained (who is the phantom curtain-twitcher? What's up with the spooky receptionist?), and other events that are explained, but oddly (for instance, why Liz has started eating books).

Caroline John gives a great performance as Liz, and the script gives her some lovely moments, but her Doctor and Brigadier are a little odd.

Finally, Fear of the Daleks is just bobbins. Wendy Padbury somehow gets through this tale of astrally-projected fish scientists, but I rather wish she hadn't.

Overall, though, this is a lovely set - just the right kind of nostalgia - all warm glows and familiar sounds. And, even at its very worst, there's still something great about hearing these stories from the companion's point of view. Obviously, more please - but just a little better.

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Alfie
I thought The second adventure, Fear of the Daleks was very pleasing, but a downfall came at The beautiful people, which had no point. The tale was very dull, but the other three were enjoyable.

Simon De Courcey
Loved 'Frostfire' which seemed to be enhanced by some great background noises. This format seems to offer some great opportunities for 'historical Who' stories; more please!

Adam Smith
It is a brilliant idea and these are very very good, especially the Vicki and Liz Shaw ones. Top notch stories. Get them all - you'll enjoy them.

Andrew
Superb Idea, especially as they are not just talking books and have one other actor part and sound effects. They bring back those wonderfull saturday afternoons of long ago. More please.

mathew
i found fear of the daleks a compelling story. Although i think it lacked vital Patrick Troughton story elements. Overall though good adventures great to see the original doctors saving the universe again.

Jack Hannah
It's a superb collection. Worth having for any Doctor Who fanatic. It certainly makes sense, A great idea gives great results

Jack Pelta
I think this is a fantasitic idea and that it will bring back old Doctors even though their episodes are lost.

jordan mason
I think the CD`s are very exiting and edge of seat momemts are all the waY through!There the best ever Doctor Who cd`s i have ever bought and lisend to! 10/10!

Cameron Partridge
It is great doing the Companion Chronicles so we know what the previous Companions thought.

Ian R
I think that this is a great idea - but i prefer stories that are centred on the Doctor.

Vitas Varnas
These adventures are great. I hope they do one with the next four doctors.

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