Big Finish has launched a new range, the Doctor Who Audio Novellas, similar to its Audio Novels range but instead combining numerous stories into one release. The first combines The Time-Splitters and Dimension 13, read by Peter Purves and Jon Culshaw.
The Time-Splitters follows the First Doctor, Steven Tayler, and Dodo Chaplet, as an accident with the TARDIS causes its crew to be split across two different time zones. This story is read by Peter Purves, who played Steven from 1965 to 1966.
And, in Dimension 13, the Third Doctor, Liz Shaw, and the Brigadier (played here by Jon Culshaw) visit an Antarctic base, where they encounter a terrifying creature from another dimension.
Here’s what to expect:
The Time-Splitters by Colin Brake
A TARDIS materialisation accident at the Lunar University causes Steven to be separated from Dodo and the Doctor. Steven is now eight years in their future and the university is mysteriously abandoned. As he tries to survive the threat stalking the corridors, can the Doctor ever find him again?
Dimension 13 by David Llewellyn
The Doctor, Liz and the Brigadier investigate disappearances and strange time phenomena at Shackleton Base in Antarctica. But when the Doctor discovers the source of the temporal problems, he realises the only solution might be the ultimate sacrifice…
Colin Brake said:
“I was thinking about the sorts of stories that we got in the Hartnell period and things that were familiar from more recent times. So, I came up with the notion of doing something a bit more timey-wimey for the First Doctor than he had during his time on screen. I suppose also I was thinking about things like The Space Museum and the little bits of time mucking about in that.
“Also, I wanted to write a really good story for Dodo and for Steven, who are really great companions for that Doctor. I was hoping from the get-go that it would be Peter Purves who would get to read it, and I’m delighted that he has done so.”
And David Llewellyn said:
“I was really happy to be offered another opportunity to write the Third Doctor, because I love that whole era, especially the early stages with Liz Shaw and the Brigadier – Spearhead from Space is one of my favourite stories in the whole of Doctor Who.
“There’s a really nice chemistry there. Liz Shaw is an underrated companion. She’s no-nonsense. And it was fun trying to imagine her interior world, how her mind works. I think people who listen to this will spot nods to films like The Thing and maybe a little bit of Lovecraft in there as well.”
Dimension 13 narrator, Jon Culshaw, added:
“The wonderful thing about reading this story is that it has the Target Books feel. It’s fantastic having new stories from the wonderful Jon Pertwee era and it’s so beautifully written. David Llewellyn’s story really does feel evocative of that much loved season seven – mystical, industrial at times.”
Doctor Who – The Audio Novellas: The Time-Splitters and Dimension 13 is now available as a digital download for £24.99.
