New Who; who knew?

August, height of the holiday season. Roads are less congested, seats are available on trains; a time of rest and relaxation, an opportunity to 'kick back', to 'chill'...

It wasn't so long ago that I was writing on this very blog, that my working life was a bit calmer this year, that somehow, I was approaching the mythical nirvana of the 'work/life balance'. I had an idea that maybe for a couple of weeks, I could happily throttle back and fire on impulse engines only.

Fat chance.

I'm now looking at a diary that has me recording two series of ten audiobooks, a further two unrelated audiobooks and two audio dramas - all before 19th October! How??? To make things slightly easier, I have in fact, already recorded three of the first series of ten, which reduces the task ahead to 19 books and two dramas and some of them aren't especially long books - even so, even so...

"So, why the post title Johnny...?" I hear you saying. Good question. Thanks for asking. There are two audio drama releases from Big Finish this month that I'm involved with and in one of them, despite playing the titular character, I'm uncredited. I know! Uncredited! Bit harsh.

Disappointment aside (!), here are details of the two new Who's:

The Third Doctor Adventures Volume 3

The Conquest of Far by Nicholas Briggs

Earth Alliance, the future… Fleet commanders receive their orders from the President of Earth.

Operation Far is ‘go’. As soon as the planets are suitably aligned, the attack will go ahead.

The Doctor and Jo arrive on the planet Far. The Doctor wants to attend the grand opening of one of the human race’s greatest achievements. A huge Hyper Gateway built to make travel around Earth’s great empire more convenient, bringing relief to many starving outer colonies.

But they land in the wrong time period, long after the Gateway has been in service, and the Daleks have conquered Far! It’s the middle of a war and a deadly game is underway. When everyone has an agenda, betrayal can happen at any time, from any side. The endgame is approaching and maybe this time no one will survive.

In Nick's story, The Conquest of Far, I'm playing Jickster. I'm not in Andrew's story, but here's a brief synopsis:


Storm of the Horofax by Andrew Smith

During a North Sea military exercise, the crew of the destroyer HMS Nemesis detect what they suspect is a submarine following them. But it’s actually a futuristic ship with an alien occupant, Arianda.

The Doctor and UNIT are called in, but things are already running out of control. The damaged craft is leaking particles and contaminating the Nemesis with time disruption.

But that’s not the biggest problem. For Arianda is being followed by the warships of the Horofax, who have picked precisely this moment to invade. Soon the destruction of humanity’s future will begin.

Tim Treloar The Doctor Katy Manning Jo Grant

George Watkins Delralis John Banks Jickster Amy Newton Elaquon

Robin Weaver Arianda Iain Batchelor Adam Rigg Robert Hands Major Hardy / Crewman

Richard Derrington Commander Burton Ian Cunningham Sinko / Ronson / Lieutenant

Jake Dudman UNIT Radio Operator and Nicholas Briggs The Daleks

Directed by Nicholas Briggs 

You may notice that in the following synposis and credits - I have added myself!!!

The Skin of the Sleek

On the planet Funderell you can walk on the ocean. The surface holds you when you move, but if you stand still, you sink. Lights shift in the fathoms and great shapes move beneath your feet - schools of giant electric eels known as Sleeks.

There is no solid land and the only locals are the Wavewalkers, hunters who live in floating villages. But recently some strangers have arrived, pursuing their own distinct agenda.

When the Doctor and Romana lose the TARDIS to the deep, they need help. Which makes finding a fellow Time Lord on the planet very useful. The fact that Time Lord is Sartia, an old friend of Romana's, is even better!

But this is a planet of secrets. Be careful when you explore its depths. You may just drown.

Tom Baker The Doctor Lalla Ward Romana Joannah Tincey Sartia  

Alan Cox Eamonn Orensky Kieran Hodgson Klick Chervain Des McAleer Blujaw Skaldson  

Alex Wyndham Linnis Skaldson Jamie Newall Greygul Jane Slavin Frithra            

Other parts played... by members of the cast. (!!!)

...but in fact: The Sleek and Wavewalker played by John Banks - ha!

Written by Marc Platt
Directed by Ken Bentley  

* * * * *

If you should happen to listen to either of these stories, I hope you enjoy them and if I have been replaced by 'other members of the cast' in The Skin of The Sleek, I hope they've done a good job!

Here's a little something to round off this posting; a trailer for new Warhammer adventures that I recorded a couple of weeks ago. I did... I did. Honestly!!!

...all for now, more just as soon as it happens!