Doctor Who: The Companion Chronicle The Sleeping City by Ian Potter (CD review).
As Ian Chesterton contemplates his chains, he wonders how much of his story he can tell his captor. He is on Earth and Gerrard, the man who is interviewing him, wants to know everything but, as Ian points out, he’s not sure they can handle the truth. Of course, Ian will reveal it eventually.
This story has a Cold War feel to it but Ian’s tale is of a galaxy far, far away and his travels with the Doctor. He wants to tell his captor about policemen and a visit to a world where everything is free, including a compelling afternoon nap. Welcome to the city of Hisk, The Sleeping City.
This is another double-hander in the long list of ‘Companion Chronicles’ which are shortly drawing to a conclusion. It’s always a pleasure to listen to William Russell as he commands the script with his performance and John Banks as Gerrard provides a necessary chilling counterpoint as he interrogates Ian Chesterton. The setting of the prison cell is another method for the ‘Chronicle’ to be told to us listeners but it has more of a frisson when there is an extra layer of narrative and the outer shell is carefully constructed with its 1960s ambiance to draw our attention.
‘The Sleeping City’ is very atmospheric and features Ian, Barbara and Vicki with the Doctor as the mysterious alien that Gerrard is so interested in. I liked the twists and turns and how Ian is such a clever little companion. The power in the modern stories is giving us so much more of the companions proving that they are worthy of travelling with the Doctor.
Sue Davies
May 2014
(pub: Big Finish. 1 CD 60 minute story. Price: CD: £ 8.99 (UK), Download: £ 7.99 (UK). ISBN: 978-1-78178-090-9)
cast: William Russell and John Banks
check out website: www.bigfinish.com
