It’s a summer surprise for Kay Harker, as The Box of Delights is opened in time for the holidays
Big Finish’s brand-new full-cast adaptation of The Box of Delights is now due for a June 2021 release. Based on the beloved novel by John Masefield, it follows the classic fantasy adventure about a schoolboy who is entrusted with a magical box. He soon realizes it grants him the ability to time travel and shapeshift. And he’s thrown into a race against time to protect the box from an evil magician and to save Christmas. Alongside the previously announced Sir Derek Jacobi as Cole Hawlings and Mack Keith-Roach as Kay Harker, Big Finish have now revealed the star-studded cast of this ten-part epic production.
David Warner stars as philosopher Arnold of Todi alongside Mark Gatiss as dark magician Abner Brown. Assisting Brown’s pursuit of Kay are Louise Jameson (Sylvia Daisy Pouncer) Nicholas Pegg (Foxy-Faced Charles) and Damian Lynch (Chubby Joe). Playing the residents of Seekings House are Lizzie Waterworth-Santo (Peter Jones), Clare Corbett (Maria Jones) and Deeivya Meir (Susan Jones), with Lisa Bowerman (Caroline Louisa) and Mina Anwar (Ellen). Also appearing as a whole host of other magical and non-magical folk are Tim Bentinck, Sam Stafford, George Naylor, Tony Millan, Dan Starkey, Barnaby Edwards, Homer Todiwala, Annette Badland and Raj Ghatak.
Mark Gatiss breaths sinister new life into the malignant Abner Brown
The BBC previously adapted The Box of Delights in 1984 by the BBC. That production starred former Second Doctor Patrick Troughton as the mysterious and unworldly traveller Cole Hawkins. It imprinted itself on the minds of an entire generation of children, many families continue to rewatch it every December.
Mark Gatiss discussed why that adaptation cast such a lasting spell over its audience. “There’s something special about The Box of Delights. From the opening Victor Hely-Hutchinson music, it is so beautiful it makes your hair stand on end. The whole idea and the tale has got such a sort of magic to it.” On his role as the villainous Abner, Gatiss continued “And Abner’s a great part. The idea of a corrupt magician posing as a clergyman… it’s weird and mystical and then also villainous. What can I say? It’s why you do it!”
Meanwhile, producer Emma Haigh added her pleasure to have assembled such an outstanding cast. “I’m thrilled we can finally reveal the wonderful cast for The Box of Delights. To have such stellar talent join the adventure was such a privilege and it was a joy to hear them all at work – their voices swept me away every day of recording. And I can’t wait for the production to be released so everyone can join this magical adventure too.”
Big Finish Classics: The Box of Delights
Big Finish Classics: The Box of Delights is available to pre-order as a limited edition 6-CD box set (priced at £34.99) or digital download (at £29.99), at www.bigfinish.com.
Please note the box set edition is limited to 1,000 copies only.
Big Finish is currently operating a digital-first release schedule. Factors beyond Big Finish’s control may delay the mail-out of collector’s edition CDs. But all purchases of this release unlock a digital copy for immediate downloaded. They can also be played on the Big Finish app (iOS and Android)from the release date.
