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| Sylvester McCoy |
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 Doctor Who has returned to the BBC for
a new adventure on the internet at the BBC Doctor Who Web
Site.
As announced by the BBC on television, radio and
on their web site.
He's back - and he's online. The Doctor has returned to the
BBC for a special one-off audio drama, "Death Comes To Time", which
is being broadcast exclusively on the BBC Doctor Who Web
Site from Midday on Friday 13th July 2001.
"Death
Comes to Time" is the BBC's very first piece of drama broadcast purely
online and is the first new Doctor Who broadcast by the BBC since "Doctor
Who: The Movie" in 1996.
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| Ace |
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Sylvester McCoy returns as The Doctor
with Sophie Aldred as Ace. They are joined in their adventures by a
host of famous and well
known names including Stephen Fry, John
Sessions and Jacqueline Pearce (Servalan from Blake's 7).
This
groundbreaking and ambitious project is sure to delight many fans. The pilot
episode for the planned Doctor Who radio drama "Death Comes to Time" was
originally recorded last year as a pilot
for BBC Radio 4.
This first
episode of the projected six-part "Death Comes to Time" story. Entitled "At the
Temple of the Fourth" it has been split into a number of 'Real Audio'
files which can be downloaded.
Back
in 1999, all four parts of the Comic Relief
charity adventure "The
Curse of Fatal Death" were likewise made available in Real Media
format via the BBC's Comic Relief website.
According
to producer Dan Freedman: "All the files will remain online for some months to
come. As the number of requests to hear the files can be measured
statistically, it is hoped that a high enough demand may yet encourage the BBC
to consider completion of the serial at a later date".
The official
site is also showcasing The Making of "Death Comes to Time", featuring
photos of the recording, interviews and
a brief production history. Online visitors
are promised a chance to review the episode,
vote on its future, and even win a copy
of the script.
The BBC are expecting around 50,000 people to listen
to the live broadcast, which for a half
hour programme on the net is very high. The
more hits it gets the better chance of it
returning on television when the BBC will
realise just how popular the programme still is.
The
audio programme was produced by Fictionlab
and its head Richard Fell sees it as a
possible first step to a proper return of
the sci-fi series. He is reported as saying "His return will be
online because that's where the Doctor Who community is at the moment.
If it takes off, though, I wouldn't rule out
further adventures on the internet, radio
and television."
Sylvester McCoy told BBC News Online: "I'm very honoured
to be part of the very first BBC drama to go out on the internet. These are
good original drama stories which is rare these days. I think the fans will be
delighted with this project but they will never be fully satisfied until The Doctor is back on TV."
"Death Comes to Time" is being broadcast
as five real audio files. The files form
a 30-minute audio play which sees The Doctor
enlist the help of a mysterious Timelord
to battle an alien warlord who is fighting
for control of time itself.
The
peaceful planet of Santiny is being invaded
by the ruthless Canisians, led by the
casually sadistic General Tannis. After
a catastrophic attack on Santiny, its Senators
are herded together at gunpoint, with no hope of rescue - until The
Doctor and his companion arrive. However,
the Seventh
Doctor's companion here is the
young hero, Antimony. So where is Ace being held, and who will rescue
her? Who is summoning The Doctor? What is
the enigmatic Minister's agenda? Above all,
what connects Tannis' assault
with the recent deaths of two Time Lords and the ancient myths of the Gallifreyans?
Frustratingly,
these questions will only be partially answered in the so-far solitary episode
of "Death Comes to Time" as the remaining parts have only been storylined.
The
individual parts are: |
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Prelude: The
Fall of the Santine Republic
The Canisians attack.
Part
One: Rescue
Who will save the senators?
Part Two:
Myth
Ace has much to learn.
Part Three: At the Temple of
the Fourth
A meeting on an abandoned planet.
Part Four:
Golcrum
A future in medicine? |
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Also
a trailer for the production was premiered on the BBC Doctor Who Web
Site on Friday 15th June 2001.
To
listen to this audio drama and then you
will need to visit BBC Doctor Who Web
Site.
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Notes:
- Featuring the Seventh
Doctor and Ace.
- Serial number: unknown
- Number of episodes: 1
- Full Length: 27 minutes
- Individual part lengths: Prelude = 06'02",
1 = 07'41", 2 = 06'10", 3 = 04'31", 4 = 02'54"
- This story takes place after "Survival".
- Recorded: July - October 2000
- Released: July 2001
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| FULL-CAST AUDIO PILOT
AND THE BBC’S VERY FIRST PIECE OF DRAMA BROADCAST PURELY
ONLINE ! |
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Full Cast
List:
| The Doctor |
Sylvester McCoy |
| Ace |
Sophie Aldred |
| Antimony |
Kevin Eldon |
| Guard/Senator Hawk |
Jon Culshaw |
| Pilot |
David Evans |
| Casmus |
Leonard Fenton |
| The Minister of Chance |
Stephen Fry |
| Senator/Soldier/Civilian |
Richard Garraty |
| Senator Sala |
Britta Gartner |
| Fighter Pilot |
Benjamin Langley |
| Admiral Mettna |
Jacqueline Pearce |
| General Tannis |
John Sessions |
| President |
Huw Thomas |
| Captain |
Moray Treadwell |
The
Production Team:
| Writer |
Colin Meek |
| Producer/Director |
Dan Freedman |
| Script Editor |
Nev Fountain |
| Music |
Nik Romero |
| Sound |
Jon Taylor |
| Logo Design |
Thomas Moulton |
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Returned in
2002 |
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The Story Continues |
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| Death Comes to Time - The Latest |
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| Sylvester McCoy |
|
As announced
by the BBC on both radio and on their web site.
He’s back
- and he’s online. The Doctor has returned to the BBC for a special
one-off audio drama, "Death Comes To Time", which is being broadcast
exclusively on the BBC
Doctor Who Web Site from Midday on Friday 13th July 2001.
The 30 minute audio play sees The Doctor enlist
the help of a mysterious Time Lord to battle an alien warlord who is fighting
for control of time itself.
"Death Comes to Time" is the BBC’s very first
piece of drama broadcast purely online and is the first new Doctor Who
broadcast by the BBC since "Doctor
Who: The Movie" in 1996.
Sylvester
McCoy returns as The Doctor with Sophie Aldred as Ace. They are joined in their
adventures by a host of famous and well-known names including Stephen Fry, John
Sessions and Jacqueline Pearce (Servalan from Blake's 7).
Also a trailer
for the production was premiered on the
BBC Doctor Who Web
Site on Friday 15th June 2001.
To listen
to this audio drama and then you will need to visit
BBC Doctor Who Web
Site. |
|
| Doctor Who on the Radio |
Rumours have been
circulating for some time that a new Doctor Who radio play has been
commissioned for BBC Radio 4 for a possible broadcast in February 2001.
It
has now been revealed that this is in fact
true and that the BBC has formally
commissioned this radio project. Recent
information suggests that the radio drama
bears the provisional title "Doctor Who: Death Comes to Time".
At least one episode is definitely being
made, and if sucessful a whole series is likely
but not officially definite.
It will star Sylvester McCoy as the Seventh
Doctor and Sophie Aldred as Ace. It has
also been revealed that comedy actor Stephen Fry
has apparently signed on to play a role
in the production. However, it has been
stressed that this story will not be a comedy but will develop a new
take to
bring forward darker aspects of The Doctor's
character. It is set after the last televised
story "Survival".
The BBC also
announced that they are keen for fans to get involved by experimenting with
acting and contributing some of the sound effects by sending tapes into the
BBC. The deadline for this was the 15th July. It would seem that you wouldn't
get paid for this if your tape is used, but you'll have been in Doctor
Who!
This news will know doubt cause even more rumours and as soon as
anything more is released by the BBC I will let you know.
Watch this
space................. |
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Doctor Who Radio Drama
Refused by Radio
4 |
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| Sylvester McCoy |
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Despite all
the efforts by many people, including Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred, Radio
4 has turned down the pilot for "Doctor Who: Death Comes to Time". This is for
either an initial broadcast and the option to create a full series.
Despite it being called 'terrific' by Stephen Fry and
'brilliant' and 'epic' by Sylvester McCoy the powers that be at Radio 4 have
turned it down flat. However, there is still a possibility that BBC Worldwide,
who it is believed like it a lot, may start to negotiate a release under their
BBC Radio Collection label. This is the same group that releases the Doctor
Who episode soundtracks. There may also be other radio avenues with Radio 2
considered to be the most likeliest option.
Initially when
this audio drama was being put together the BBC had commissioned a pilot
episode only. It was hoped that if the powers that be at the BBC liked it then
a full series would follow.
Sylvester McCoy, Sophie Aldred, Leonard Fenton
(Dr. Legge in Eastenders, Stephen Fry, Jacqueline Pearce, from
Blake's 7 and actor John Sessions were confirmed for the production and
recording was scheduled for October 2000. |
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| Some
Reviews: |
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"Fantastic. Well worth the
wait. If only there was more. If it can't
be on on TV or radio, the web is the next best thing. Thanks to all
of
you who made it possible and who have made
Friday the 13th a great day for Doctor Who."
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| Keith, UK |
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"Hooray!
The Doctor returns! A good episode, an intriguing
storyline with the introduction of enough
new ideas and characters to keep things interesting.
McCoy did a fine job, and how lovely to
meet Stephen Fry in a Doctor Who episode!
More fast-paced than the TV version, but I thought it worked very well
indeed. More, please, oh yes, powers of
the BBC! I want to find out what happens..."
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| Elizabeth Ewing, UK |
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"I've
never understood why the BBC dropped Dr
Who, and I understand even less its reluctance
to revive it. It was always immensely popular as a series and even
the 1996 film (we're British - it's not
a movie!) could have been good too if the
American theme had been left out. If it was given a bit of a face lift
(but
not so much that the original atmosphere
is lost), I'm sure it would continue it's
popularity. And it would certainly be far more fun than the terminally
depressed East Enders!"
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| Richard, UK |
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"What
a triumphant return to form. Death Comes
To Time takes Doctor and gives it a kick
up the 'noughties' - taking a grand universe
spanning approach and a more modern sensibility
towards audio broadcasts. All the cast are wonderful but
special compliments to Leonard Fenton and
Stephen Fry. It all sounds so epic and 'big'
I can't wait to hear the next part!"
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| David Whittam, UK |
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"Highly
enjoyable and atmospheric. The music and
the artwork helped to bring the whole thing
alive. There was a refreshing clarity to the story, with the ideas,
such
as a planetary invasion being sketched in
simply but effectively. The cast all sounded
very confident in what they were doing and there was a good range of
voices, which helped to identify all the
different characters. Most importantly,
the way in which the story
unfolded made me eager to find out what
happens next . . . I enjoyed Doctor Who
as a web broadcast and feel that it has
the potential for a good future in this medium."
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| Michael Stead, England |
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