Doctor Who: Just in time for the festive season, a delightful boxset emerges featuring three captivating audio plays that showcase the TARDIS team of the Doctor, Charley, and Audacity (Paul McGann, India Fisher, and Jaye Griffiths). This marks their first full adventure as a trio, a treat for fans eagerly awaiting their joint exploits.
While Christmas specials were absent during McGann’s tenure, these plays seamlessly step into the role they might have played. The opener, “Twenty Four Doors in December” by John Dorney, unfolds in Noughties London as the TARDIS team spends December at the Doctor’s Baker Street house.
Encountering Santa Al, a failed actor plagued by haunting visions, they embark on a tale structured over 24 scenes, each representing a door in the advent calendar. Despite a slightly obstructive structure, the narrative remains solid, blending clever storytelling with enjoyment.
Moving to 1947 London, Tim Foley’s “The Empty Man” immerses the trio in a radio horror writer’s world, as Eldritch Brinkwood finds himself haunted by a creature resembling him. Foley skillfully captures a Christmas ghost story vibe, with Nicolas Grace delivering a faultless performance as the fussy and lonely Eldritch.
The play strikes an effective and melancholic tone, though the ending might be a touch too noisy for some tastes. The final installment, “Winter of the Demon” by Roy Gill, transports the TARDIS team to Victorian Edinburgh amidst a mysterious series of deaths by burning. With the backdrop of new electricity cables laid by industrialist Sir Donald Shaw, the team, along with young Captain Archie, must prevent the activation of an ancient alien power source that poses a threat to the entire city.
Collectively, these three plays infuse the holiday season with both cheer and chills. It leaves one pondering whether Big Finish should make a festive December release an annual tradition. Among the 20th Century Doctors, McGann, in particular, shines in a Christmas tale. The regulars deliver commendable performances, although Audacity’s role appears somewhat diminished as she now shares the spotlight with the more established Charley. This boxset offers a perfect blend of seasonal spirit, time-traveling adventures, and the signature charm of the TARDIS team.