Situation Vacant (audio drama)
Situation Vacant | |
---|---|
Big Finish Productions audio drama | |
Series | Doctor Who |
Range | Eighth Doctor Adventures |
Release no. | 4.02 |
Featuring | Eighth Doctor Tamsin Drew |
Written by | Eddie Robson |
Directed by | Nicholas Briggs |
Produced by | Jamie Robertson – Music & SFX |
Executive producer(s) | Nicholas Briggs |
Production code | BFPDWCDMG026 |
Release date | July 2010 |
Situation Vacant is an audio drama based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. This audio drama was produced by Big Finish Productions.
Plot
The Doctor is seen to be holding auditions for a new companion. The characters Hugh Bainbridge, Asha Qureshi, Theo Lawson and Juliet Walsh seemingly vie for the position. Big Finish Productions withheld the identity of the companion in the rest of this series until after this story was released. The contenders are described by producer David Richardson in Doctor Who Magazine issue 421, as:
- Hugh Bainbridge – "[A]n amiable public school type who, though perhaps not the brightest tool in the box, is happy to rush where Time Lords fear to tread."
- Juliet Walsh – "[A] tough cookie. A driven and highly successful career woman, there's nothing she won't do to close the deal."
- Asha Qureshi – "[A] no-nonsense, capable young woman with a tendency towards precociousness and a surprising ability to cope with the unexpected."
- Theo Lawson – "King of the Geeks: an introverted and computer-savvy teenager who knows more about gigabytes than he does about girls."
The Meddling Monk is revealed to have placed the ad and arranged the dangerous scenarios in a later story, The Book of Kells.
Cast
- The Doctor – Paul McGann
- Hugh Bainbridge/Drusus – James Bachman
- Asha Qureshi/Lantis – Shelley Conn
- Theo Lawson – Joe Thomas
- Juliet Walsh/Tamsin Drew – Niky Wardley
- Wanda Rothman – Sabina Franklyn
- Leonard Pallister – Tony Millan
- Rachel – Joanna Kanska
- Rafshaw – Barnaby Edwards
Critical reception
Matt Michael, writing for Doctor Who Magazine, felt that the emulation of television openers such as "Partners in Crime" was not entirely successful, and faulted the lack of development of the new companion.[1] Richard McGinlay praised it strongly, giving it a rating of 10/10, and feeling that the satire of The Apprentice was successful.[2]
Broadcast
Situation Vacant was broadcast on digital radio station BBC Radio 4 Extra on 8 Jan 2013 as a single hour-long episode.[3][4]
References
- ^ Michael, Matt (15 September 2010). "The DWM Review". Doctor Who Magazine. No. 425. Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent: Panini Comics. p. 64.
- ^ McGinlay, Richard. "Doctor Who: Situation Vacant – Audio drama review". Sci-Fi Online.
- ^ "Doctor Who on BBC Radio 4 Extra". BBC. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
- ^ "BBC Radio 4 Extra- Doctor Who, Situation Vacant". BBC. Retrieved 22 May 2013.