Doctor Who: The Companion Chronicles: The Elixir Of Doom by Paul Magrs (CD review).
In a casting miracle, Iris Wildthyme appears alongside Jo Jones (nee Grant) in a thrilling ‘Companion Chronicles’ adventure with a twist, ‘The Elixir Of Doom’. Who is the companion here? Both have travelled with the Doctor but only Jo has travelled with the TV version we know. Iris is known for her own travels which she uses a trans-temporal big red bus. Alas, there is no Panda in this and we miss him.
Arriving in Los Angeles in 1936, they go to a glamorous party using psychic money for a clothes shopping spree and encounter the early movie stars amid the clink of glasses. Iris recognises a famous star, Vita Monet, who she once worked with on a silent film. Now Vita is notorious for her many marriages and her production of schlocky monster movies. Iris spots the Doctor and this time its number Eight. It seems they are both investigating the mysterious Vita but Iris decides it’s best if Jo doesn’t meet him, probably because she doesn’t quite trust him but mainly because it might muck up timey-wimey continuity.
This is a gloriously funny ‘Companion Chronicle’ by Paul Magrs, the creator of Iris Wildthyme, in which we hear the multiple voice talents of Katy Manning as she slips between Iris, Jo and Vita. She is aided by Derek Fowlds, fondly remembered as ‘Mr. Derek’ in ‘The Basil Brush Show’ and also as the truly excellent member of the triumvirate of talent in ‘Yes, Minister’. He also spent many years in the ‘Heartbeat’ police station as Sergeant Oscar Blaketon. He’s not in this much so I’m assuming he was sandbagged to do it on his way to another job in the Big Finish dungeons.
You need a couple of run-throughs on this as the wit and charm should be savoured as all the gin that Iris enjoys. Oh yes and monsters are real but you knew that, didn’t you?
Sue Davies
July 2014
(pub: Big Finish. 1 CDs 60 minute story. Price: CD: £ 8.99 (UK), Download: £ 7.99 (UK). ISBN: 978-1-78178-093-0)
cast: Katy Manning and Derek Fowlds
check out website: www.bigfinish.com
