The new series of Torchwood monthly releases begins with this brilliant one-hander.
So, you want to take over Torchwood do you? You’ve been stuck in a cassette tape for a very long time and, it appears, someone has started playing it. Their mind seems weak. Good. Your first question is- why do you sound like legendary comedian Sir Michael Palin?
The new season of Torchwood monthly releases begins with this remarkable piece of writing by Tim Foley that completely shakes up the monthly releases and pushes many boundaries in terms of storytelling along the way, making good use of ASMR (which seems to be a particular catch phrase at the moment). Indeed the sound mix by Richard Fox is a character in and of itself and worthy of the highest praise.
Perhaps the biggest joy in this release is the wonderful Sir Michael Palin (yes, he of Monty Python fame) who relishes the chance to play through many emotions (and at least two characters) in his one-hour plus monologue. It is clear he enjoyed not having to contest whether a parrot was still alive or not or which room the argument was in. The venerable comedian actually shows his mettle as a great actor. It’s an astute choice of actor given that there is not a lot comedy in the story itself. It also says something of the regard that Big Finish is held in that people like Palin are happy to work for them. Let us hope it is not the last time he graces the ears of Big Finish listeners!
Palin plays a voice on a tape which we learn is an alien trapped in an old cassette tape and now possesses the body of Jack Harkness. One by one, he encourages the listener to dispense of each of the other Torchwood team through mind control and brute strength.
Scott Handcock directs Palin well and lets the menace grow slowly over the course of the running time which some might feel is a shade too long. Yet for me, it is a credit to writer, director and actor that it manages to hold the attention a lot better than some of the more populated casts for the monthly releases. The bonus interviews at the end of the disc are well worth a listen as both star and author go through the process of putting this release together.
This is an outstanding start to the new season of the monthly releases and one hopes that the quality of the writing continues for the remaining eleven releases. It is a wonderful story, brilliantly performed and produced, and worthy of repeated listening. One of the best releases in the range yet.
Reviewed by Rodney Hrvatin
Twitter: @Wagnerfan74
Distributed by: Big Finish Productions
Released: April 2020
Approx RRP: $22 CD, $9 Digital Download
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