Stage Fright

These scenes are all echoes of how I died.

The Sixth Doctor

Synopsis

The Doctor and Flip visit Victorian London, where investigators Jago and Litefoot explore theatrical performances that have echoes of the Doctor’s past lives…

Review

When I first listened to Stage Fright, I was a relative novice in terms of Doctor Who. I was probably aware of who Jago and Litefoot were, but this was one of the first Big Finish releases that I had ever purchased. I was therefore unaware of Flip – as I had been with Constance in The End of the Line, but that was a position I shared with other listeners. Despite this, Stage Fright works remarkably well for both newcomers and experienced fans alike.

You’ve been indulged for far too long already, Valeyard!

The Sixth Doctor

Matt Fitton is one of the strongest writers that Big Finish have, and he certainly shows it with his script for Stage Fright. The story progresses really nicely, at a good pace and all of the characters have a decent amount to do and the main characcters get some good development. It has to tie together elements from the previous two stories in the box set, which Fitton weaves in expertly, with the Valeyard using the psychic extractor seen in The Red House, whilst moving things forward to the concluding entry. The Valeyard’s scheme might not entirely make sense, but that doesn’t detract from Stage Fright being an awful lot of fun. Having the Valeyard trying to attract the Doctor’s attention by killing people dressed as his former incarnations’ companions and staging his previous regenerations is a really strong idea. Nicholas Briggs also helps this all feel coherent and put together in his role of director, making scenes like those in the Red Tavern feeling like it is a busy and bustling pub. It’s a really coherent production, with what feels like a large cast and that all helps making this story really memorable.

Pairing up the Sixth Doctor with Jago and Litefoot would not have been something I would have taken as a given on a first listen, being unfamiliar with their adventures together in the spin-off. It works really well, as they know the Doctor has changed his appearance previously, which gives them some context in dealing with the Valeyard’s schemes. I suppose, for those who might be unfamiliar with Big Finish, they also serve as a familiar element for those members of the audience. Christopher Benjamin and Trevor Baxter offer a sense of stability, and Matt Fitton clearly understands Jago’s blister and pomposity and Litefoot’s level-headedness lend themselves to humour and opportunities to split up the Doctor and his companion. Jago playing the Brigadier for the recreation of Planet of the Spiders is a particular delight! It felt obvious but was really effective. On a side note, this was the first time I’d listened to anything featuring Jago and Litefoot since Christopher Benjamin’s passing this year, which gave this listen a special sense of poignancy.

Michael Jayston is clearly having an absolute ball in this story. The Valeyard is in truly devious form; preying on the Doctor’s guilt and replaying traumatic regenerations in an attempt to spite him. Jayston’s voice works so well on audio, and fizzes with ill-intent. The Valeyard mocks the Doctor with hundreds of his garish coat, and arguably in his portrayal of the Doctor in every recreation. It’s a moustache twirling performance from Jayston, which is probably the strongest in this production, although it’s up against some fierce competition.

Colin Baker continues to shine in this collection making up his final story. The Sixth Doctor is emotional to a fault, and so this story works really well when having a villain looking to harvest his emotions for their own gain. With the Valeyard taunting him, the Doctor is moved to heights of emotions like fear and sorrow, which feeds his mirror image. The Sixth Doctor also has a nice dynamic with Flip and with Jago and Litefoot, which is lovely to listen to. The Doctor ultimately realises what differentiates him from the Valeyard; that he has friends, and that they give him strength to fight. Whilst he feels remorse for all his past companions, he is better for having known them.

Flip, played by Lisa Greenwood, is the character that I feel could be the most grating, but actually comes across really well here. She is a 21st Century companion paired up with an Eighties Doctor, and on paper, it really shouldn’t work, but in practice it does. Flip confronts her fears admirably in this story to save the Doctor and recognise the Valeyard’s true nature: he is the Doctor’s Darth Vader! Perhaps I liked Flip because she’d had a rough time at school and, despite appearances, is reluctant to be the centre of attention. Facing her fears and appearing on stage to help defeat the Valeyard, on this occasion at least, is a really powerful moment.

Verdict: Superb casting and a great story make Stage Fright a fantastic story. 9/10

Cast: Colin Baker (The Doctor), Lisa Greenwood (Flip Jackson), Christopher Benjamin (Henry Gordon Jago), Trevor Baxter (George Litefoot), Lisa Bowerman (Ellie Higson), Michael Jayston (The Valeyard), Andree Bernard (Susie/Sylvie), Lizzie Roper (Bella) and Orlando James (Drew McDonald).

Writer: Matt Fitton

Director: Nicholas Briggs

Music and Sound Design: Howard Carter

Release Date: 17 August 2015

Cast Notes

• Lisa Bowerman is best known for playing the role of Bernice Summerfield, both in Doctor Who stories and her own range of audio dramas.
• Andrée Bernard played Dolly Bailey in The Shakespeare Code. She has also appeared in a number of Big Finish audio plays, including Blue Forgotten Planet, The Silent Scream and The Carrionite Curse.
• Lizzie Roper has also appeared in the Big Finish stories Kiss of Death, We Are The Daleks and The First Sontarans, amongst others.
• Orlando James played Lord Bentham in The Day of the Doctor. He has also appeared in The Fifth Traveller.

Best Quote

From what you’ve said, you can maketh yourself whatever the heck you wanteth.

Flip Jackson

Previous Sixth Doctor review: The Red House

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