Sound the siren! Why you need to listen to Big Finish’s Short Trips Rarities…
The Doctor and Leela arrive on a barren plain in the Soviet Union of the 1950s. Twisted wreckage and remains speak of the tests of a destructive new power. The scientists responsible live in terror of their political masters.
But now they all have something else to be scared of…
The Short Trips range faces a somewhat difficult challenge when compared to the likes of Big Finish’s Main Range ‘Who’ releases which include some high profile stars and multiple cast members. So it would be easy to assume that the more simplistic Short Trips releases with their single narrators might fail to live up to the standards set by other Big Finish productions. Fortunately, however, they are hidden gems, and none more so than John Pritchard’s Sound the Siren and I’ll Come to You Comrade, part of the new Short Trips Rarities range.
Setting the Scence
This Short Trip was originally an exclusive bonus release for main range Doctor Who subscribers back in 2011, alongside the sixth Doctor adventure ‘Industrial Evolution’. The 2016 re-release of this Fourth Doctor tale, narrated expertly by Stephen Critchlow, serves as a timely reminder of the charm, quality and ingenuity of these bite-sized adventures.
Setting out to visit the court of Peter the Great, former Emperor of Russia, the fourth Doctor and Leela are instead greeted by the looming barrel of a tank in a harsh and hostile landscape as they disembark from the TARDIS. The emptiness of their surroundings audibly bites, with a chilling wind and understated sound design reinforcing how lifeless this battered environment truly is. Detecting high levels of radiation and, more significantly, the presence of an alien being in the vicinity, the pair intend to depart once more and travel back to “cleaner times,” away from such war and destruction. Unfortunately, the TARDIS only moves them in space, not time, and the Doctor and Leela are immediately captured by a platoon of anxious Soviet soldiers in a nearby mock town, eager to return to their base; a nuclear testing facility. As they depart, the Doctor, Leela and the soldiers are steadily pursued by a haunting figure dressed in Soviet uniform…
Emotive Imagery
When it comes to writing adventures for the Short Trips range, there’s really two ways to go: a) the narrator tells a story, or b) the narrator is the story. In this instance, writer John Pritchard has opted for the former, producing a compact, economical and extremely engaging tale as opposed to a more reflective character piece. And it works. With parallels to the Twelfth Doctor adventure “Mummy on the Orient Express”, which aired several years later, the mysterious soldier inhabiting the barren plain and endlessly pursuing Soviet forces makes for an eerie Who “monster”, neatly set against the backdrop of impending nuclear devastation. Exploring the consequence of such unimaginable power for all mankind, Pritchard conjures up some really stunning and emotive imagery, particularly towards the end of the story, positioning the listener right at the very heart of the tale.
Captivating
Perhaps the standout feature of this release is Stephen Critchlow’s performance as the narrator, and, in particular, his vivid portrayal of the Fourth Doctor, expertly capturing the intonation of Tom Baker’s unmistakable voice without descending into parody. Each character is assigned a distinctive voice, in fact, be it Leela, Soviet scientist Semyonov, or Major Genyeva, which makes this release feel more like an ensemble piece. Moreover, the sound design, as hinted at before, is subtle yet highly effective, adding yet another layer to the story and reinforcing the underlying sense of devastation and the powerlessness that many of the main players evidently feel (Soviet research and military controlled by the will of politicians, and so forth). Altogether, it’s a really captivating release.
In Conclusion
If you’re new to Big Finish’s Short Trips releases then ‘Sound the Siren and I’ll Come to You Comrade’ is a perfect place to start. It feels like an authentic 1970’s adventure that’s simply been condensed for your convenience – another one perfect for your next commute!, and is definitely a valued addition to the Short Trips Rarities range.
BLOGTOR RATING: 9/10
Synopsis
The Doctor and Leela arrive on a barren plain in the Soviet Union of the 1950s. Twisted wreckage and remains speak of the tests of a destructive new power. The scientists responsible live in terror of their political masters.
But now they all have something else to be scared of…
Cast
Stephen Critchlow (Narrator)
Crew
Producer Nicholas Briggs
Script Editor Nicholas Briggs
Executive Producers Jason Haigh-Ellery and Nicholas Briggs
Written By: John Pritchard
Directed By: Neil Gardner
