Doctor Who - Audio Details

A thousand years ago, the evil Cult of the Dark Flame infiltrated every star system in the galaxy.  In the history books the Cult is legendary, its despotic leader a terrible memory.

But for some the Dark Flame still burns.  For some, its horrifying power is the ultimate goal.  All that is required is for the right people to be in the wrong place and time...

An archaeologist and his robot are on the poisonous world of Marran Alpha, where they will uncover a hideous relic.  The Doctor and Ace are on their way to the deep space research centre Orbos, where Professor Bernice Summerfield is soon to start the countdown to universal Armageddon.

Four acolytes of Evil.

Three mad scientists.

Two companions.

One Doctor.

TIME TRAVEL IS NOT impossible.  Big Finish regularly takes us back in time to revist the days - and in our hearts they're always Saturdays - when Doctor Who really was 'on'.  Now the Doctor continues his adventures, and in various incarnations, rightly unaffected by such small things as age or cancellation.

Only now Doctor Who is sometimes cleverer, wittier, and most importantly, scarier than before.  But even this modern miracle is not the whole story.  Big Finish has worked its time travel magic again so that we can revisit the New Adventures as well.  Only now we can hear Sylvester, Sophie and Lisa bringing life to thise Virgin Books days: the giddy first leap in original Doctor Who fiction made real.  I always wanted to write a New Adventure.  Happily, I've always wanted to write a Big Finish audio play as well.  Combining the two is a strange, intoxicating experience.  I sincerely hope the listener will share in that experience.  (One thing no one will share, however, is the dramatic timing read-through by my family - proof positive that the role of the Doctor is certainly not actor-proof!)

Why The Dark Flame?  For old time's sake, of course - but that's personal.  For you, the chance once again to hear the Doctor, Ace and Benny in action - in four 25-minute episodes.  Not so long ago, this would never have seemed probable, let alone possible.

But here we are.  Doctor Who alive and very, very well.  The New Adventures revisited and revitalised.

When you think about it, nothing is impossible.

Trevor Baxindale, December 2002