Big Finish has released the cover illustration and blurb for Scherzo, December's Doctor Who play with only two cast members; click on the thumbnail below left for a larger version. Also in release is the cover illustration for the forthcoming "Doctor Who: The Audio Scripts - Volume Three" which includes the scripts of "Spare Parts," "The Spectre of Lanyon Moor," "The Rapture" and "The Chimes of Midnight"; click the thumbnail below right. Meanwhile, several details about new and forthcoming products: The Inside Story by Benjamin Cook, the new hardcover about the first four years of Big Finish audios, is now in release (and what a lovely book it is, too). Also out is Master by Joseph Lidster, although apparently the first of the two CD's in some packages has a fault preventing it from playing (Big Finish asks on itswebsite to contact them with details and they'll replace it). Also out is The Wormery by Paul Magrs & Stephen Cole, the 51st story, which surprisingly has been issued before the release of the anniversary story, "Zagreus"; but the sixth Unbound serial, Exile was delayed until this week due to German holidays!

As Outpost Gallifrey announced only a week ago, the first two DVDs in release in North America in 2004 are The Seeds of Death starring Patrick Troughton and The Three Doctors starring Jon Pertwee, Patrick Troughton and William Hartnell; the only change to our announcement is the date: they're due on March 2, not in early February. The following are the official press blurbs from BBC Worldwide Americas, plus the cover illustrations for each (click for a larger version).

BBC Worldwide have announced the first of 2004's DVD releases in the UK: The Visitation. The Season 19 serial's release is scheduled for January 24 from BBC Video, and features commentary by its four stars -- Peter Davison, Sarah Sutton, Janet Fielding and Matthew Waterhouse -- as well as director Peter Moffatt; "Directing Who: Peter Moffatt," a 26-minute featurette about the director from an interview conducted earlier this year; "Writing a Final Visitation," an 12-minute interview with author and script editor Eric Saward conducted in Black Park (site of the story's filming) in September; "Scoring the Visitation," a short interview with composer Paddy Kingsland excerpted from a longer one conducted by Mark Ayres (presumably to be released on later DVDs); Film Trims, including extended and deleted scenes; a music-only option; photo gallery, easter eggs and production notes. There are rumors that "Black Orchid" would also be attached to this on other sites, but the Restoration Team has confirmed that this is completely untrue. The RT has posted an article about the restoration process for this episode, as well. "The Visitation" was previously rumored on a list of 2004 releases that remained unconfirmed by the BBC, but now joins the pack as the first confirmation for the year.

Meanwhile, several bits of information were revealed this weekend to Panopticon attendees. Actor Michael Sheard announced that he, Elisabeth Sladen and producer Philip Hinchcliffe had recorded the commentary for the forthcomingPyramids of Mars DVD, due out later in the year (possibly March); the DVD would also feature both a location visit to Stargroves Estate that Sheard hosts, and (subject to licensing) a comedy sketch screened at the convention featuring Sutekh. Director Christopher Barry said he recorded a commentary for The Daemons, while Nick Courtney mentioned that he, Katy Manning and Barry Letts would provide commentaries for The Claws of Axos -- of course, neither of these discs have been announced by the BBC; other commentaries have been recorded in the past for future story releases, which still haven't happened! (Thanks to Colin John Francis, BBCi, the Restoration Team)

More of the same... today's Daily Mirror features a sidebar article that says that Eastenders actor Shane Richie is one of the candidates to be the next Doctor. We've provided the article which you can read by clicking the thumbnail at right... but of course this is likely just more from the publicity mill. (Thanks to Gallifrey 5)

The forthcoming UK Gold Anniversary Weekend will feature, if our information is correct, the following stories selected out of their recent viewers' poll: "The Time Meddler," "Tomb of the Cybermen," "The Daemons," "Pyramids of Mars," "The Caves of Androzani," "Attack of the Cybermen" and "Dragonfire". The stories will be aired over the weekend, with various interviews/features interspersed throughout. Hopefully, UK Gold will avail themselves of restored-quality prints as some of their viewing prints (specifically "The Time Meddler") are "virtually unwatchable". (Thanks to Mark Campbell)

The Doctor Who Appreciation Society is releasing two new publications for the 40th anniversary. In November, the regular DWAS newsletter Celestial Toyroom will take a monthÆs break and there will be a special issue of TARDIS, the SocietyÆs other publication. TARDIS will have a colour cover (right) and features articles and interviews as well as details on the forthcoming "Doctor Omega 2". Also, Ian WheelerÆs collection of drabbles, entitled Who XL, will also be available soon and will feature contributions form the likes of Colin Baker and Nicholas Courtney. They hope to make both publications available to non-members. More information can be had by emailing wheelersworld@tiscali.co.uk. (Thanks to Ian Wheeler)

At last, we're getting details about North America's 2004 list of Doctor Who selections. Having now exhausted the VHS range, the current plans call for the distribution of two DVDs per quarter, released at the same time, likely in February, May, August and November. According to email from BBCAmericaShop, the first two DVDs for 2004 will be The Seeds of Death starring Patrick Troughton and, in a surprise move, The Three Doctors starring Jon Pertwee, Troughton and William Hartnell. ("Three Doctors" is only seeing release next month in the UK!) This is, of course, subject to change. We do know that at this time there are no plans for an additional North America-only boxed set (like "The Key to Time") and that only stories released first in the UK will be on this schedule. More details as we get them.

At right: the new cover illustration from The Wormery, the November 2003 Big Finish audio starring Colin Baker with Katy Manning as Iris Wildthyme (click on the thumbnail for a larger version). Also at the BF site - a preview of the forthcoming The Inside Story book with PDF copies of the pages for two stories, "The Sirens of Time" and "The Spectre of Lanyon Moor". Visit the Big Finish website to view them.

The BBC has released press details for the forthcoming The Scream of the Shalka, which has been announced as starting on Thursday, November 13 on BBCi. Says the press release:


The article from the BBC Press Office goes on further to describe the story, the first story information so far released:


Looks like it's only a few weeks away. (Thanks to Phil Creighton, Steve Tribe)

More on that special Doctor Who anniversary album we reported some time ago: it's called Resistance is Futile and includes "a series of remixes, modern interpretations and re-workings of Radiophonic Workshop material and classic Doctor Who music." Says BBCi: "Artists, which include Lemon Jelly, The Orb, Radioslave, 808state, Unkle, Howie B, Coldcut, Mark B and St Etienne were all given access to parts of the extensive archive of material which help shape the sound of modern dance music. The results are a unique insight into how artists of today were influenced by this groundbreaking music of the past. The album ... is out at the start of 2004, and all attendees to Panopticon 2003 will receive a free limited edition 3 track promo sampler. Numbers are limited so make sure you don't miss out." A small version of the cover is at right. (Thanks to BBCi)