Big Finish Returns to Gallifrey

Sunday, 14 September 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
Big Finish producer Gary Russell announced at this past weekend's Dimensions convention in Stockton-on-Tees that the company had commissioned a new four-part limited series for 2004, as yet untitled, to run alongside the regular Doctor Who range, with Louise JamesonLalla Ward and John Leeson reprising their screen roles as Leela, Romana and K-9. The series will be set on Gallifrey (obviously). All three will be featured in the forthcoming 40th anniversary audio special "Zagreus," the other details of which (including the rest of its cast) have not yet been announced. Meanwhile, Big Finish also announced that Paul McGann will indeed return for a fourth series of Doctor Who audios to be taped in late 2004; his third 'season' begins release in December. Finally, in response to a question about giving Sylvester McCoy an additional companion (besides Mel and Ace), Gary said that there were considerations for it, with a clue in the new Unbound serial "He Jests at Scars" (where he mentions several names including someone named "Hex"). (Thanks to Bob Fischer)




FILTER: - Audio

Arabella Weir is the Doctor

Thursday, 4 September 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
Big Finish has revealed to Outpost Gallifrey the identity of the final alternate Doctor in the "Doctor Who Unbound" limited series being released this year: popular UK comedy actress and author Arabella Weir. Weir, one of the stars of "The Fast Show" and the author of three best-selling novels including "Does My Bum Look Big in This?" will play the Doctor in the sixth and final Unbound serial "Exile" by Nicholas Briggs, being released in October. Weir's numerous other credits include TV appearances in Alexei Sayle's "Stuff," "Harry Enfield and Chums" and "Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)," in the films "Honest, Decent and True" and "Shooting Fish," and most recently co-starred with Richard E. Grant (the Ninth Doctor in BBCi's forthcoming "The Scream of the Shalka") in the BBC's "Posh Nosh," which Weir also wrote. "I think itÆs a very funny script," Weir says. "I have to say, I was a little bit nervous. I thought, 'Oh God, this is going to be one of those things for people who are real devotees and therefore itÆll be full of in-jokes and unintelligible,' but I thought it was very funny, indeed." While Joanna Lumley made a cameo appearance as the Doctor in "The Curse of Fatal Death" for Children in Need, Arabella Weir has the honour of being the first actress to star as the Doctor for a whole adventure. However, the first lady Doctor may not be quite what everyone is expecting... Details on the story are detailed below. (Thanks to John Ainsworth and Big Finish)

Exile, by Nicholas Briggs

What if... the Doctor had escaped the justice of the Time Lords?

"They want to punish me for being me!" All the Doctor has to do to avoid being caught by the Time Lords is work in a supermarket and go to the pub. It's a cunning plan - certainly far less dangerous than fighting the dreaded Quarks and all those other alien fiends.

But just when everything seemed mundane and safe, alien transmissions, exploding poison gas, Princess Anne and wobbly trolleys burst onto the scene to ruin everything. It's a crisis! A fiendish alien plot! And the Doctor must use all the resources at her disposal to defeat it. She'll probably need to have a large vodka first, though.

Starring Arabella Weir as the Doctor, with Hannah Smith (Cherrie), Jeremy James (Cheese), Toby Longworth (Time Lord 1), David Tennant (Time Lord 2), Graham Duff (Mr. Baggit) and Nicholas Briggs (the previous Doctor). Directed by Briggs.




FILTER: - Audio

BBC Audio - 40th Anniversary

Friday, 23 May 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
BBC Worldwide's press release for the 40th anniversary details various Doctor Who audio releases. As Outpost Gallifrey previously mentioned, the audio box set Yeti Attack (a box set of repackaged CDs of "Abominable Snowmen" and "Web of Fear") is due out July 7. Adventures in History (featuring "The Myth Makers," "The Massacre" and "The Highlanders") will be out August 4, the Dalek Tin with the new audio releases of The Power of the Daleks and The Evil of the Daleks is due out November 3, as is a three-disc version of Marco Polo, and the BBC also confirmed the September 1 release of the audio Doctor Who at the BBC, though it now appears that the linking narration is being done by Elisabeth Sladen (instead of Nick Courtney, who was noted on the information we were given previously).

One additional new item: The Doctor Who Remix Album will feature "major artists' interpretations of the Radiophonic Workshop" (specifically remixes of Ron Grainer's theme music). This is due out in the "Autumn" with no date specified.

Below are cover illustrations for the "Yeti Attack" box, the "Adventures in History" box, "Power of the Daleks" and "Marco Polo", as well as a mock-up cover in the booklet for "Dr. Who at the BBC" (which we gather is NOT the final cover illustration!)




FILTER: - Audio

bbc radio collection update

Tuesday, 4 February 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
audio release updateAudio  •  February 4
Mark Ayres of the Doctor Who Restoration Team clarified a detail in yesterday's report about the new 2003 releases from the BBC Radio Collection. Frazer Hines will be narrating the August release of The Evil of the Daleks while Anneke Wills indeed narratesPower of the Daleks, released at the same time. The press information we received yesterday stated only Frazer's name. (Thanks to Mark Ayres for clarifying!)


bbc radio collection updateAudio  •  February 3
Michael Stevens of BBC Audiobooks contacted Outpost Gallifrey to clarify the news about forthcoming releases from the BBC Radio Collection, which includes some new information for the first half of 2003 (until August). Just released this week on February 3 is The Space Pirates, the lost Patrick Troughton story narrated by Frazer Hines. In April, the series will diverge briefly for a new format: "In a new departure for British audio publishing," says the release, "BBC Radio Collection is releasing six titles on MP3-CD format. MP3-CDs offer the same high-quality sound as standard CDs, using a fraction of the disc space. Digitally remastered for optimal sound quality, they are able to hold more tracks than a regular CD ... all episodes contained on just one MP3-CD." This will include two Doctor Who releases on April 7: The Daleks' Master Plan and a combined CD of The Abominable Snowmen & The Web of Fear. (The other titles in the series will include "Fawlty Towers," "The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy," "The Hobbit" and "Dead Ringers Series 1, 2 & 3".) On June 2, a new CD boxed set will be calledYeti Attack! featuring the existing releases of "The Abominable Snowmen" and "The Web of Fear" in a collector's box; the same treatment will be given to a second boxed set called Adventures in History on August 4 featuring The Myth Makers, The Massacre and The Highlanders. Each of these two boxed sets will be back in the standard CD format (likely the original releases encased in a new box). Finally, August 4 will also see the release of The Power of the Daleks and The Evil of the Dalekstogether in a specially-designed package; says the report: "These stories were previously issued on cassette in the early 1990s; they have now been digitally remastered from better soundtrack sources and have brand new linking narration. Long awaited by fans!" Frazer Hines will narrate both of these new releases. (Thanks to Michael Stevens)




FILTER: - Audio

audio release update

Wednesday, 29 January 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
The BBC Radio Collection will reportedly be releasing two audio boxed sets this year, according to the Planet Who website. Amazon.co.uk is already listing a Yeti Box Setcontaining the CD releases of "The Abominable Snowmen" and "The Web of Fear" (which may include MP3 files as an extra), due out April 7. Additionally, a Dalek Box Set is reportedly being released later in the year containing the two stories "Power of the Daleks" and "Evil of the Daleks"; we've heard that these will be the earlier recordings released on cassette but remastered for CD. No official confirmation as yet on either one. (Thanks to Planet Who)




FILTER: - Audio

further video & audio update?

Saturday, 18 January 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
The Galaxy 4 shop in the UK is reporting that the schedule for 2003 of Doctor Who audio soundtrack releases from the BBC Radio Collection is as follows: "The Power of the Daleks" in May, "The Evil of the Daleks" in August and "Marco Polo" in November. Outpost Gallifrey received a report this week that artist Max Ellis has been commissioned for these three covers. None of this has been officially confirmed by BBC sources, though we believe the report is factual. Meanwhile, the newest issue of TV Zone magazine is reporting a mid-year (May 2003) release of the story Invasion of the Dinosaurs on VHS; obviously this is also not yet confirmed, but likely considering that there are so few stories yet to be released. (Thanks to Lissa Levesque, Div, Keith Randall)




FILTER: - Audio - Blu-ray/DVD

the space pirates

Thursday, 9 January 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
Update 9 Jan 2200 GMT: The Tenth Planet store has sent us the final cover illustration for The Space Pirates, the February 2003 release from the BBC Radio Collection. "The Space Pirates" was the penultimate Patrick Troughton serial and is the last almost-entirely-missing story in the BBC's archives (only episode 2 exists out of 6.) The story is narrated by Frazer Hines (Jamie). Click on the thumbnail for a larger version of the cover by Max Ellis. Meanwhile, the Galaxy 4 store site sent us what appeared to be a 2003 release schedule for the rest of the year including "The Underwater Menace," "The Wheel in Space" and "Marco Polo"; however, we've since been informed that this an older release schedule and has been superseded, and is likely not the final version anymore. (Thanks to Tenth Planet and Galaxy 4)




FILTER: - Audio - Classic Series

Audio

Saturday, 12 May 2001 - Reported by Marcus
Compiled by:
Shaun Lyon
Forthcoming Who Audio Releases: BBC Audio has released "The Myth Makers," the audio track of the lost William Hartnell Season 3 story narrated by Peter Purves; and a CD rerelease of "Slipback," the Eric Saward-penned BBC Radio play from the 1980's starring Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Valentine Dyall and Jane Carr. "The Celestial Toymaker" starring William Hartnell and narrated by Peter Purves (linking narration written by Michael Stevens), and "The Moonbase"starring Patrick Troughton and narrated by Frazer Hines (linking narration written by Sue Cowley) are slated for release in April 2001. Then in July 2001, "The Abominable Snowmen" starring Patrick Troughton, narrated by Frazer Hines from linking narration by Michael Stevens, will be released, as will a double set, "Genesis of the Daleks/Exploration Earth: The Time Machine", containing both the 1979 abridged version narrated by Tom Baker as well as the 1976 radio documentary about the origins of Earth starring Tom Baker and Elisabeth Sladen. Neither were expected to be released on CD. Then, the big one: October 2001 will see the release of "The Daleks' Master Plan", including all 12 episodes of the William Hartnell classic as well as the one-episode story "Mission to the Unknown," fully remastered with linking narration by Sue Cowley and read by Peter Purves, likely in a five-CD jumbo jewel case with a souvenir booklet (though this may change at any point before release). Finally, January 2002 will see the release of "The Savages" starring William Hartnell, likely narrated by Peter Purves, and "The Faceless Ones" starring Patrick Troughton, likely narrated by Frazer Hines. Also, later in 2002 will likely see the releases of "The Smugglers" starring William Hartnell and "The Underwater Menace" starring Patrick Troughton, both fully remastered and likely featuring linking narration by Anneke Wills (Polly); Ms. Wills confirmed this to fans at the Bluebox IV convention, but Outpost Gallifrey has been told that neither of these releases are as yet confirmed and no contracts have been signed. (Thanks to Michael Stevens, Stephen James Walker, Doctor Who Magazine, David Brunt, Andrew Meadows)

Australia Release Information: ABC Audio, distributors of the BBC Radio Collection range of audio CDs and cassettes have announced that "The Celestial Toymaker" and "The Moonbase" missing audios will be released in June. Based on past experience, this means that missing audios will be released every three months, with an average two month delay from the UK release dates. (Thanks to Jason Fraser & Dr. Who Club of Australia)

Possible 2002 Audio Releases: Additionally, according to the BBC's official website, the following stories are under consideration for release in 2002: "The Space Pirates," "Enemy of the World," "The Evil of the Daleks," "The Wheel in Space" and "Marco Polo" (which may be on the schedule for later in 2002; no official confirmation has been forthcoming).

A History of the Doctor Who Theme: Ayres has also presented a hefty research article on his website devoted to the history of the theme music. You can visit it at ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Mark_Ayres/DWTheme.htm.





FILTER: - Audio

Audio

Monday, 12 March 2001 - Reported by Marcus
Compiled by:
Shaun Lyon
Forthcoming Who Audio Releases: BBC Audio has released "The Myth Makers," the audio track of the lost William Hartnell Season 3 story narrated by Peter Purves; and a CD rerelease of "Slipback," the Eric Saward-penned BBC Radio play from the 1980's starring Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Valentine Dyall and Jane Carr. "The Celestial Toymaker" starring William Hartnell and narrated by Peter Purves (linking narration written by Michael Stevens), and "The Moonbase" starring Patrick Troughton and narrated by Frazer Hines (linking narration written by Sue Cowley) are slated for release in April 2001. Then in July 2001, "The Abominable Snowmen" starring Patrick Troughton, narrated by Frazer Hines from linking narration by Michael Stevens, will be released, as will a double set, "Genesis of the Daleks/Exploration Earth: The Time Machine", containing both the 1979 abridged version narrated by Tom Baker as well as the 1976 radio documentary about the origins of Earth starring Tom Baker and Elisabeth Sladen. Neither were expected to be released on CD. Then, the big one: October 2001 will see the release of "The Daleks' Master Plan" a five-CD box set including all 12 episodes of the William Hartnell classic as well as the one-episode story "Mission to the Unknown," fully remastered with linking narration by Sue Cowley and read by Peter Purves. Finally, January 2002 will see the release of "The Savages" starring William Hartnell, likely narrated by Peter Purves, and "The Faceless Ones" starring Patrick Troughton, likely narrated by Frazer Hines. (Thanks to Michael Stevens, Stephen James Walker, Doctor Who Magazine, David Brunt and Mark Ayres)

Possible 2002 Audio Releases: According to the BBC's official website, the following stories are under consideration for possible release in 2002: "The Smugglers," "The Underwater Menace," "The Space Pirates," "Enemy of the World," "The Evil of the Daleks," "The Wheel in Space" and "Marco Polo" (which may be on the schedule for later in 2002; no official confirmation has been forthcoming).

A History of the Doctor Who Theme: Ayres has also presented a hefty research article on his website devoted to the history of the theme music. You can visit it at ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Mark_Ayres/DWTheme.htm.




FILTER: - Audio

AUDIO

Sunday, 29 October 2000 - Reported by Marcus
Compiled by:
Shaun Lyon with Mark Phippen
Tenth Planet Soundtrack: Ochre Records in the UK will be releasing "Doctor Who: Music from The Tenth Planet" on November 6. This release (#OCH050) is a Mini-CD Album featuring the music from the 1966 Doctor Who story, timed for release alongside the official video release. For more information or to order, visit the Ochre Records website at http://www.ochre.co.uk. (Thanks to Terry Francis and Ochre Records)

Big Finish - The Music Volume 1: Big Finish Productions has released "The Music - Volume 1," a collection of music selections from their Doctor Who albums. More information is available at .

Who Is Doctor Who: Mark Ayres is producing a new CD recording for release in November 2000 called "Who Is Doctor Who". The first volume of "Doctor Who-inspired pop records," the release includes recordings made by several Woh actors inlcuding Jon Pertwee, Frazer Hines and Roberta Tovey, as wel as pop music by the Go Go's, the Earthlings and Eric Winstone & His Orchestra. "Many television programmes inspire the record industry to put needle to wax," says Ayres, "but few do so to the extent that Doctor Who has done, and there is an enormous catalogue of disks celebrating (or affectionately mocking) the programme. The theme music itself is one of the most-covered in TV history (I've done it four or five times myself!), and in compiling this disc we eventually had to limit ourselves to the period from 1964 to 1973, realising that, while we present nearly an hour of material, we have only scratched the surface. A second volume must surely follow!"

A History of the Doctor Who Theme: Ayres has also presented a hefty research article on his website devoted to the history of the theme music. You can visit it at ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Mark_Ayres/DWTheme.htm.

The John Nathan-Turner Memoirs: Also coming soon in audio format from Big Finish Productions (not as a book from Harper Collins as we reported before) is former Doctor Who producer John Nathan-Turner's memoirs. The two double-CD sets will feature a look back into JNT's mind at the making of his ten years on the series, plus his experience in television and what he's been doing since. Big Finish recently finished the editing on this and announced it for early 2001.

2001 Audio Releases: BBC Audio will be releasing two new CD sets in January 2001: "The Myth Makers," the audio track of the lost William Hartnell Season 3 story narrated by Peter Purves; and a CD of "Slipback," the Eric Saward-penned BBC Radio play from the 1980's starring Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Valentine Dyall and Jane Carr. Recently a major UK magazine has announced that "The Tomb of the Cybermen" and "Power of the Daleks" would be out later this year; however, Mark Ayres, who is producing many of the releases for the BBC Radio Collection, informed Outpost Gallifrey that this was completely incorrect.

BBC Audio Releases in 2000: Among the most recent releases this year are: "The Paradise of Death" and "The Ghosts of N-Space," the Barry Letts-authored audio plays starring Jon Pertwee, Nick Courtney and Elisabeth Sladen, in release for the first time on CD; and the audio soundtracks of "The Web of Fear," narrated by Fraser Hines (Jamie) and "Galaxy Four," narrated by Peter Purves. "The Highlanders" and "The Macra Terror" are also set for release later in 2000.




FILTER: - Audio