Big Finish Productions has released a thrilling new audio drama set featuring the iconic Third Doctor, promising a nostalgic yet innovative listening experience for Doctor Who fans. This release includes two captivating stories, “Primord” and “The Scream of Ghosts,” each offering a unique adventure for the Time Lord and his companions.
Recorded between October 11-12 and 16-17, 2018, at WiseBuddah studios, this audio drama brings together a stellar cast and creative team to expand the universe of the Third Doctor. Fans can delve deeper into the behind-the-scenes insights by reading an interview with Daisy Ashford, the daughter of the original Liz Shaw, Caroline John, who steps into her mother’s shoes to portray Liz Shaw in this audio adventure. You can find the interview here.
Primord: A Sequel with a Twist
John Dorney, the writer behind “Primord,” shares his thoughts on crafting a sequel in the Doctor Who universe. He poses an intriguing question: “In Doctor Who terms… what is a sequel?” Dorney reflects on the nuances of sequels, distinguishing them from stories that merely feature the same characters or monsters. For him, a true sequel revisits narrative threads and offers a familiar yet fresh experience.
Dorney considers “Primord” his second genuine sequel for Big Finish, following “The Perfect Prisoners.” The daunting task of creating a sequel to the classic “Inferno” was not lost on him. He recalls the impact of “Inferno” as a “mind-blowingly good watch” and sought to honor its legacy.
Interestingly, Dorney notes that discussions around “Inferno” sequels often gravitate towards the alternative universe concept, rather than the Primords themselves. He found this underappreciation of the monsters an exciting opportunity: “They’re underexplored, often ignored. So if we’re looking for the same, but different, that seemed a good place to go.” “Primord” delves into the core nature of these creatures, exploring “What makes a Primord tick?” and posing a critical question: “And what happens when you don’t have another universe to escape to?” This promises a deeper, more terrifying exploration of the Primords than ever before.
The Scream of Ghosts: Hauntology and Sonic Terror
Guy Adams, the writer of “The Scream of Ghosts,” introduces the concept of “hauntology” as a central theme in his story. He defines it as “the notion of timelessness and paradox that results from evoking the past in a piece of new art.” Adams, a fan of electronica and the Radiophonic Workshop’s pioneering sounds, draws inspiration from the resurgence of “hauntology” in contemporary music, where artists unearth and reimagine vintage electronic elements. He recommends exploring Ghost Box Records and Peter Strickland’s film “Berberian Sound Studio” as prime examples of this aesthetic.
In “The Scream of Ghosts,” Adams aims to create his own act of hauntology, blending electronica with a sense of pastoral horror. He envisions “the pastoral evoked as a crunching, electronic place of horror,” promising a chilling auditory landscape. Adding a humorous and self-deprecating note, Adams recounts his experience playing a villain in his own story, forced to deliver expositional dialogue. He jokingly describes it as “possibly the greatest, most shameful lesson I’ve ever had as a writer,” recommending it as a unique, if uncomfortable, learning experience.
This new Third Doctor audio drama release from Big Finish offers a double dose of thrilling adventures. “Primord” promises a compelling sequel to a classic, delving into the mysteries of the Primords, while “The Scream of Ghosts” explores sonic terror and hauntology in a unique and unsettling way. With a talented cast including Daisy Ashford, Tim Treloar as the Third Doctor, Katy Manning as Jo Grant, and Jon Culshaw as the Brigadier, alongside John Levene as Benton, this release is a must-listen for fans of the Third Doctor era and classic Doctor Who.
