Theatre Review: Big Finish *LIVE!* Doctor Who - The Stuff of Legend

Big Finish have been pumping out Doctor Who audio dramas for quarter of a century. But this, apparently, is the first time they've recorded one live and in front of an audience.

It was glorious!

Big Finish could have cheaped out - even with a bare set and a cast of newbies, the fans would have flocked to it. Instead, we got this lushly decorated set:

The console pulsed away during the interval. Swirling lights played around the TARDIS when the *Vworp Vworp* SFX played. And the DALEK told noisy theatre-goers that their mobile phones needed to be silenced on pain of… well, you can probably guess!

The cast (a mix of old favourites like India Fisher and Alex MacQueen joined by newbie Gabriel Clark) all bounced on to the stage dressed in their regular, casual clothes. Then in bounded Paul McGann dressed in full Eighth Doctor regalia! Now, perhaps he usually dresses in a full-length coat and knee-high boots - but the audience roared with appreciation.

If you've ever been to a radio recording, it was pretty standard. Cast standing behind the microphones, sitting down and flicking through their scripts when not needed, and only the occasional flub. But, rather magnificently, the music and sound effects were played in for the audience. Sat in a little booth to the side were Nicholas Briggs and Gabriel Clark. Briggs and his magic microphone brought to life the DALEK hoards, effortlessly switching between voices and arguing with himself.

Stealing the show, however, was Gabriel Clark. Not only providing sundry voices, but acting as a one-man Foley Artist. It was mesmerising him bring the sound of Who to life with rubber gloves, paper bags, and a biscuit tin. A joy to both watch and listen to.

The story was fun - plenty of intertextual references, megalomaniacal monsters, and regional accents. There was no great world building, and (spoilers) The Master escaped a little too easily. But all good knockabout adventures.

Joyously, they asked the audience to assist in some of the vocal effects - which we all did cheerfully. Listen closely when the recording is released and you will hear the sound of me drowning. Better add that to my IMDB page 😂

It was an absolute blast - and the audience jumped to a standing ovation. Doctor Who stage plays are something of a rarity - mostly due to technical constraints - but this is an excellent way to bring the stories to the stage.