By 1989, Target Books, an imprint of WH Allen had novelised most of the original television Doctor Who stories. However; four adventures which had eluded novelisation were four Dalek stories from the 1960s written by Terry Nation.
Writer, John Peel had previously collaborated with Dalek creator Terry Nation on an American produced book entitled Doctor Who and The Daleks. Nation subsequently gave Peel consent to novelise four of his 1960s Dalek stories. These included The Chase, The Dalek Master-Plan, The Power of the Daleks and The Evil of the Daleks.
The 1965 television serial The Chase which starred William Hartnell as The Doctor was subsequently novelised in 1989. It is now the latest Dalek Story to make the transfer to audiobook format and is read by Maureen O’ Brien with Nicholas Briggs.
Daleks: The Chase Features An Epic Journey Through Space And Time
In the TARDIS, the Doctor and his companions Ian, Barbara and Vicki discover through the Space-Time Visualiser that an execution squad of Daleks are travelling from the planet Skaro on a mission to locate the TARDIS and exterminate them.
The Doctor and his friends elude the Daleks on the barren planet of Aridius, but not for long. Like the Doctor, the Daleks can now travel through time and space and it seems this is only the beginning of an epic journey.
The Doctor attempts to shake off his pursuers by making a series of random landings at strategic points in history; however it soon becomes apparent that the Daleks have had their part to play in historical events more than anyone could ever realise.
John Peel Does Justice To Terry Nation's Script For Daleks: The Chase
Originating from an era in Doctor Who’s history when Dalek stories were generally good action romps, John Peel does justice to Terry Nation’s original script by making it both descriptive and humorous. This gives more of a creative flair to the narrative than many of the usual Doctor Who novelisations of early stories enjoyed.
Peel’s adaptation also benefited with several degrees of hindsight. The introduction to Daleks: The Chase gives The Daleks a real directive to locate their sworn enemy through time and space by making mention of the fact that The Doctor has interfered on with their plans on several occasions and even been known to change his appearance.
The Doctor’s appearance wouldn’t change on television for another year when The Chase was originally broadcast in 1965, although this had happened several times when Peel novelised the story in 1989.
Nicholas Briggs' Dalek Voice Adds Authenticity To Daleks: The Chase
Maureen O Brien who featured in the original serial as Vicki gives a more than competent reading of Daleks: The Chase. Maureen’s maturity and acting experience allow her to create a wide variety of voices from Hartnell’s haughty Doctor to American President, Abraham Lincoln.
Perhaps Maureen’s finest moment is recreating her own character Vicki; as she roles back the years to youthfulness when returning to a character she last played on television over 45 years ago.
Nicholas Briggs, known too many fans as the current voice of The Daleks on television is also on hand to recreate the lines of the metal meanies. The presence of authentic sounding Dalek voices gives the release a real boost and is certainly a preferred option than having the storyteller attempt a poor Dalek impression.
Doctor Who – Daleks: The Chase is enhanced further with several atmospheric sound effects, while post production has also benefited in passages where more than one Dalek appears allowing Nicholas Briggs' voices to overlap.
Daleks: The Chase Is Available On CD and Download
Complimented with Alistair Pearson’s original Target Book artwork Doctor Who - Daleks: The Chase is available both as a 5 CD Set and an audio download from AudioGO and iTunes.
