Stage Fright

"This is a production I've starred in befored."

Writer: Matt Fitton

Format: Audio

Released: August 2015

Series: Sixth Doctor Adventures: The Last Adventure 03

Featuring: Sixth Doctor, Flip, Jago, Litefoot

Synopsis

The Doctor and Flip visit Victorian London, where investigators Jago and Litefoot explore theatrical performances that have echoes of the Doctor's past lives...

Verdict

Stage Fright was an excellent story to continue my way through the Last Adventure for Sixie! This was definitely the best of the set so far and really saw the Valeyard emerge into the true villain of the piece. He's been something of staying in the shadows so far with the first two episodes, but here he was physically present and causing issues. I think it's a really fun dynamic to have the Sixth Doctor visit Jago and Litefoot alongside Flip as she's very modern and her reaction to being in Victorian London was almost a little offensive. She meant well but she did find Jago and Litefoot rather fascinating and almost like comics! They were just being their true selves in the time in which they were from. The Valeyard having hired out Jago's theatre was interesting and the rehearsals that were taking place were nothing short of extraordinary. Reenacting the final moments of The Tenth Planet and the regeneration of the First Doctor was just magnificent with the snowy landscape and even referring to one of the characters as Pollyanna! It was so authentic which I really enjoyed. The whole performance intending to be fluid was actually really fun a a concept more generally when it comes to the theatre, but here the Valeyard was very much focused on regeneration. I thought the rehearsal of the final moments of Planet of the Spiders was delightful and hearing it referred to as being a little farfetched was difficult to argue with when it was presented as it was here! I don't think a Victorian audience would find the events believable in the slightest. The Valeyard taking on the persona of Timothy Vardyale was pretty fun although I do appreciate the forename continuity with The End of the Line and the Doctor recognising a connection. Of course, the surname is no hiding place and the Doctor knows exactly who he's up against. The Doctor having to explain regeneration to Flip was good and her reaction was great. Although a highlight for me was her and Litefoot's complete understanding of what the Valeyard was as the dark distillation of the Doctor. He was a little flabbergasted at not requiring more explanation! I thought the Valeyard continuing the theme of rejuvenation was interesting and I do wonder if this will provide his downfall in the finale which has already been alluded to. But here he was harvesting emotion drawn from the performances and no wonder actors were going missing. I thought Ellie's suggestion of overpowering him with emotion was good stuff. Jago not taking notice of Flip at the start was tremendous, especially when he realised she was a woman! Never change. His getting lured into the performance with Flip was a good threat as well. The Valeyard using the machine of Paignton's from The Red House and rejoicing at the end at getting some of the Doctor's energy was good and leaves things open for the future, whilst the Doctor is worried at the very real possibility that the being he faces now he might one day become. It is certainly daunting but I love it. We're really well set up for the finale now and I can't wait to hear how things feed into Time and the Rani if they do at all. Overall, an excellent listen! 

Rating: 9/10