With the current Doctor Who TV series starring eleventh Doctor, Matt Smith drawing to a close it is reassuring that new audio adventures featuring TV’s best known Time-Lord will bridge the gaps until the TV series returns to our screens next year.
In the case of Doctor Who – Serpent Crest: Tsar Wars, Tom Baker returns as The Doctor with Susan Jameson as Mrs. Wibbsey in the first of a third series of five audio adventures by Paul Magrs for AudioGO.
Doctor Who – Serpent Crest: Tsar Wars: A Synopsis
The Doctor, in his fourth incarnation is still residing on modern day earth in a Sussex cottage where he is about to celebrate Christmas with his old UNIT colleague Mike Yates and housekeeper Mrs. Wibbsey. However Christmas festivities are rudely interrupted when Robotov guards abduct The Doctor and Mrs. Wibbsey from their cosy surroundings to the Robotov Empire in a distant galaxy under rule from the Tsar and Tsarina.
On arrival, The Doctor is immediately mistaken for the Tsarina’s old ally, Father Gregory and called to help her ailing son. It becomes apparent The Tsar’s Empire is orbited by satellite moons that provide much needed power; however in order for these to function they are run by humans of which the Robotov's have enslaved. The Tsar however is not as welcoming and with his palace under attack from human rebel’s suspects The Doctor of treachery.
During the conflict Mrs. Wibbsey becomes separated from The Doctor and gets transported to a satellite moon where she meets the mysterious Father Gregory. However there is a greater power at work in the Robotov's empire than Father Gregory and a mere human rebellion as the Doctor and Mrs. Wibbsey soon discover.
Doctor Who's Latest Audio Adventure Goes Beyond Big Budgets
On picking up the audiobook release of Doctor Who – Serpent Crest: Tsar Wars the first thing fans of a certain age will spot is the striking cover artwork which is based on the sleeve art of Geoff Love and His Orchestra’s Music For Pleasure LP Star Wars and Other Space Themes from 1978.
And like Star Wars, the minds eye can afford the listener a big budget courtesy of the stellar cast and wondrous sound production featured on this full cast production.
Tom Baker Returns As The Fourth Doctor
Possibly the TV screen’s greatest Doctor Who, Tom Baker settles back into the world of Doctor Who audio adventures like he has never been away. His voice may have matured in the three decades since he played the role on television, but within moments of listening to Tsar Wars the listener is transported back to the 1970s. It is easy as you listen to the narrative imagining Tom’s Doctor in long coat and flowing scarf fighting off a collection of intergalactic monstrosities.
Tom Baker also has the task of playing a dual role in Tsar Wars as he takes on the character of Father Gregory. This feat works well as Tom gives Father Gregory an almost Transylvania style accent. There is a wonderful moment when both The Doctor and Father Gregory meet and such is Tom Baker’s skill it is easy to forget they are both the same actor.
Susan Jameson And Michael Jayston Feature In Tsar Wars
Susan Jameson who has appeared in the previous two Fourth Doctor Audio series Hornets Nest and Demon Quest returns as Mrs. Wibbsey, The Doctor’s personal housekeeper. Jameson gives a wonderful portrayal of a mature lady who holds her own as much as any of the Doctor’s companions, constantly attempting to keep The Time Lord in check.
Michael Jayston, familiar to fans as The Valeyard from the 1986 Doctor Who TV Series The Trial of a Time Lord makes a welcome return to Doctor Who as The Tsar. Michael’s richly clipped voice lends itself well to audio, so lets hope its not too long before he returns to the audio series again.
Suzy Aitchison who sounds wonderfully gracious and beautiful as the Tsarina and Simon Shepherd who gives a humorous portrayal of Robotov Boolin provide further vocal talents. Listen out for Boolin’s attempt at learning to laugh!
Enjoy Doctor Who – Serpent Crest: Tsar Wars On Your IPod
Listening to Doctor Who: Serpent Crest: Tsar Wars on an iPod while travelling or relaxing at home is certain to take the listener into a new dimension of audio enjoyment. Suitable for Doctor Who fans of all ages the production is embellished with sound effects and tight audio production making this one of the most enjoyable full cast audio dramas available.
With a running time of 1 hour, 7 minutes Doctor Who: Serpent Crest: Tsar Wars is available on Compact Disc and as an audio download from AudioGO.
Source: Doctor Who: Serpent Crest: Tsar Wars, AudioGO, 2011
