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The Church

and the Crown

NOVEMBER 2002

(4 EPISODES)

Cavan Scott and Mark Wright’s second Doctor Who script is completely different in style

and tone to their highly regarded debut, “Project: Twilight.” Personally, I did not enjoy it as much as I did their gritty east end Vampire story, but this four-part historical adventure is certainly not without its charm, and it comes as no surprise to me that many fans cite this story as being one of their favourite audio plays.

I am not all that familiar with this period of history – everything I know about it comes from films, Doctor Who, or the vibrant eighties’ cartoon, Dogtanian and the Muskethounds. As such, I found this story’s setting mildly educational as well as extremely entertaining. The production is very tongue-in-cheek, and I particularly love the way Big Finish tackled the ‘swashbuckling’ scenes; fast, cheesy music and witty dialogue between the protagonists.

This underlying humour is carried throughout the story – this is definitely the closest the fifth Doctor has got to an out-and-out comedy audio, like the sixth Doctor’s “The One Doctor” – but there is more to this story than laughs. Our regulars, including new companion Erimem (Caroline Morris), are handled extremely well by the writers. Peri and Erimem continue the development of their strong friendship began in “The Eye of the Scorpion”, and Peter Davison’s Doctor is thus allowed to take on a more teacher-like, parental role, which suits his older performance wonderfully. At times, he is reminiscent of a better-tempered version of the first Doctor.

However, despite this being Morris’ first story, it is Nicola Bryant who really shines here. The writers have Bryant play both Peri and her double (yes, that old chestnut) who just happens

to be Queen Anne! The device may be often used in Doctor Who, but that is because it makes for some great storytelling. However likeable Peri is, Big Finish cannot really develop her character very much at all because we know what happens to her long after this story, so it is a real joy to hear Bryant get her teeth into a less tapered role. It is also nice to hear her talk without that hideous accent!

The supporting cast are all interestingly portrayed. Andrew Mackay’s King Louis does his job and is thoroughly unlikeable throughout; Michael Shallard as Cardinal Richelieu comes off as a more interesting shade of grey; and Marcus Hutton also gives a memorable performance as the English invader, Buckingham, who is behind the whole ‘divide and conquer’ plot. It certainly feels weird seeing the anglophile, cricket-obsessed fifth Doctor going up against the English!

In all “The Church and The Crown” is a lively, funny and charming romp; a fantastic slice of historical Doctor Who. Be warned though, it is nothing like “Project: Twilight”. Indeed, after this one no-one could possibly accuse Scott and Wright of not being diverse!

Copyright © E.G. Wolverson 2006

E.G. Wolverson has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

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