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Audio Visuals (AV) was a non-profit making fan organization which existed for
pretty much the same reason as all Doctor Who fan activities; to indulge
enthusiasm for that programme. AV did this in a rather unique way - they
produced original Doctor Who drama on audio tape. The audio plays are
produced in appreciation of Doctor Who, but they do not seek to mimic the
television programme. There is, of course, the Doctor, the TARDIS, companions
and even some familiar foes, but it is a different Doctor, not an imitation
of the seven televised Doctors.
The series stars Nicholas Briggs as the Doctor. For those who are familiar
with the Reeltime Mythmakers series of interview tapes, you already know
Nicholas Briggs as the interviewer. Also, Briggs stars in the recent BBC
Film Club 'Stranger and Miss Brown' video In Memory Alone. Briggs is
brilliant as the Doctor! It is hard to pin down his portrayal in terms of
the other seven, but he does possess that undefinable 'Doctorishness'. If
pressed, I would describe him as a more powerful Davison.
The original producer of the AV series was William Baggs, whom, after three
seasons of Audio Visuals went on the become the producer of the BBC Film
Club and their 'Stranger and Miss Brown' series. In fact, two of the first
three Stranger videos are based on AV plays. More Than A Messiah, the
second Stranger video started out as the third season AV play of the same
name. In Memory Alone was AVs first season Conglomerate. Season four of
the AV series saw a new producer, Gary Russell, whom many will know as the
editor of Doctor Who Monthly magazine.
There are obvious benefits to an audio format which, sadly, were not fully
realized by the BBC's attempt with Slipback. Budget is no longer a constraint
to special effects or sets, though perhaps the listeners imagination is. :-)
These tapes do not feature any narration, they are fully dramatized with a
complete cast and original scoring (incredibly good scoring considering this
is fan group). By their second season AV could only be called a professional
fan organization, as the quality of plays had surpassed pretty much any other
radio or audio product.
Current Availability
We wuld be categorically ad absolutely against the old AVs being made available again
- which why we haven't done so ourselves. Thery are snapshots of our pasts,
if you like, and prefer them to sty tht way.
Which seems a bit miserable and grumpy but that's the way it is. Sorry.
Gary Russell
Feburary 1999
on distributing these stories via the net (i.e. MP3)
The Beginning
1984
1) THE SPACE WAIL
60 min
The Doctor with his companion Greg Holmes, materializes the TARDIS on a
starship in the far future. It soon transpires that they are on a death
ship, transporting condemned prisoners to their point of execution. However,
also aboard is a sentient computer known as BABE. Very soon the Doctor, the
prisoners and the crew all find themselves allied against a common threat; an
all powerful computer gone mad!
The Doctor is played by Stephen Payne and his companion Greg and added companion Nadia
are played by Richard Marsdon and Sally Baggs. The production values are surprising good
for a fan production and the music is especially surprising since the AV team compose
their own score.
'The Space Wail' served solely as an experiment and with the experience
gained and lots of constructive criticism and support from fans, the AV team
decided to do three seasons of Doctor Who plays. with a few changes...
The First Season
1985
2) THE TIME RAVAGERS
90 min
A newly regenerated Doctor and his companions Greg and Nadia, find
themselves on the planet Temperos where something very peculiar is happening
to time. It would appear that the legendary time being, The Temperon, is not
a legend after all. In fact, it has been captured and is being used to
manipulate time by the Doctor's oldest foes - the Daleks!
3) CONNECTION THIRTEEN
60 min
Allied with UNIT on Earth, 1990 the Doctor investigates several apparently
accidental deaths. All seems to revolve around an international satellite
network. It becomes apparent that an alien power intends to use the network
of thirteen satellites to irrevocably change the face of the Earth. Time is
running out to connection thirteen...
4) CONGLOMERATE
60 min
A deserted city, an automated underground system and a malevolent formless
entity. The Doctor and Greg materialize to get their bearings, but get a
shock instead. As Greg dodges an aerial bomb attack, the Doctor has been
enrolled in the Conglomerate School of Promising Executives. As the chairman
always says, what's happiness and contentment, or law, when their is money
to be had?
This story sets up the first element of AV continuity: the company known as Conglomerate.
This play was adapted by the BBC Film Club for their 'Stranger' video In Memory Alone.
5) CLOUD OF FEAR
90 min
The TARDIS passes though a mysterious cloud and materializes in network of
catacombs. There, along with the survivors of the trapped ship Christabel,
the Doctor and Greg are taunted and fed on by the mind parasites known as
psionovores. Greg faces his worst nightmares and the Doctor is brought face
to face with the knowledge of his own death...
6) SHADOW WORLD
60 min
On the planet Kelfer the Doctor encounters a stranded fellow Time Lord;
Askran. Aided by his assistant Miranda, Askran has distributed a highly
dangerous drug called Sargol to the local inhabitants making them totally
dependent on him. Using Greg as a pawn, Askran enlists the Doctors help.
Sargol: the entrance to the Shadow World, wherein lies the gateway to untold
power, and untold pain...
The Second Season
1986
7) MAENAD
90 min
The Doctor takes Greg, who is suffering Sargol withdrawal, to the Cal-Med
One orbiting medical station. While Greg is cared for, the Doctor joins a
party of officials from the Galactic Federation on their tour of Cal Two, a
specialized institute for the criminally insane, located in a domed structure
on the unlivable planet Cal Med One orbits. However, a new, twisted use for
the asylum has been found, where pain is at the touch of a button, and you
can create life with the power of your mind...
8) THE MUTANT PHASE
60+60 min
Greg is drawn to Analyas Seven, which 'offers you a new life'. Upon
arrival he, and the Doctor's recent companion Ria, become pawns in a game of
genetic engineering, while the Doctor is forced to the home planet of the
rulers of Analyas Seven - Skaro! There, the Emperor himself awaits his
second meeting with the Doctor...
9) THE DESTRUCTOR CONTRACT
90 min
The TARDIS defences are penetrated by the jettisoned flight recorder of a
recently destroyed starship. The information on it is vital to the peace of
the galaxy. However, Cuthbert, the president of Conglomerate, is well aware
that war sells and has no intention that that message be heard. And as they
tell you in the Conglomerate School; Conglomerate IS the law!
You also get a bonus short adventure Vilgreth on this tape.
10) THE TRILEXIA THREAT
60 min
A lush green world populated by agricultural colonists. A space craft of
totally reliant robotic servants. A planet turned to dust and an insectoid
intelligence of frightening power. The Doctor is embroiled in deadly events,
culminating in a world-shattering decision.
11) MINUET IN HELL
90 min
"The legends of Gallifrey speak of a world that is darkness and pain... and
the name of the world they speak of is Hell..." Earth, 1762. Drugged and
bound in Bedlam, the Doctor isn't even sure of his own identity, but another
inmate is... Meanwhile, at Medenham Abbey, Count Ogolien, one of a race of
ancient enemies to the Time Lords, prepares for the ultimate materialization;
almighty Lucifer... the Devil himself!
12) BLOOD CIRCUIT
90+60 min
Forces strong enough to break the normal bounds of space and time have
crippled the TARDIS, and stranded the Doctor and Ria on the storm torn planet
Klandros. The ensuing battle between greed, ancient power and twisted life
will strike at the very heart of the TARDIS and her crew.
The Third Season
1987-1988
13) THE SECOND SOLUTION
60 min
"... calling the Doctor ... calling the Doctor ... Earth in danger ... you
must ... respond to this emergency situation ... ... ... Earth will be
destroyed! ..." A garbled message sends the Doctor to Earth, to prevent it's
destruction in 1990. A seemingly unbeatable time-paradox threatens the very
survival of the planet and poses an impossible dilemma for Ria and the
Doctor.
Nabil Shaban, who played Sil in the TV series, guest stars in this slightly
too short adventure.
14) THE SECRET OF NEMETODA
90 min
On Nemetoda, the Doctor and Ria discover that well meaning Tellurian
colonialism has gotten rather out of hand. Hindered by the narrow mindedness
of the military, the Doctor seeks to solve the complex ecological puzzle of
Nemetoda and save the Nemetodans from Genocide.
A request for some real Earth cultivated tea serves as one of the most
unique story introductions ever in this 'lighter' eco-thriller. Natural
humour abounds.
15) ENCLAVE IRRELATIVE
90 min
A fairy world of princesses and giants where magic is a reality and science
is a forbidden blasphemy? With the TARDIS hopelessly lost, the Doctor, and
companions Truman and Ria fight through a nightmare of bizarre events. Not
knowing which way to turn, the Doctor turns to logic, only to discover that
in an irrelative enclave, even logic has no meaning...
16) MORE THAN A MESSIAH
60 min
The Doctor needs a rest, and the tranquil beaches of Majus 17 would seem
the ideal place. But paradise has a darker side. Who are the intruders?
What are deformed creatures that seem to grow out of the ground? Who is the
mad woman on the beach who claims to be more than a God? And what part has
the Doctor in the destiny of the planet itself?
17) SWORD OF ORION
90 min
A savage conflict in the Orion system has repercussions, even in the
derelict hulk riddled wastes of Garrazone. A salvage ship, her crew and the
Doctor find themselves on a derelict star destroyer. For the scrapship
captain, this could be the salvage of a lifetime... or is there a deeper
meaning? However, after centuries of hibernation, the mission assigned to
the Cybermen crew of the star destroyer remains the same...
18) CARNY
90 min
The Doctor receives a telepathic message - the desperate screams of the
dying. His mental defences weakened, the Doctor finds himself in the bizarre
world of the Carny. But is it carnival or carnivore? All he meet seem to
have a message to convey, but the questions keep building. Truman, left in
the TARDIS, has his own problems. Has the TARDIS gone mad, or is it more
perceptive than even the Doctor realizes? Watch out for the Carny - it
bites!
19) PLANET OF LIES
90+60 min
The Doctor and Truman have arrived on the Planet Ardethe, intent on locating
Ria. Her sister bound for the same direction, intent on finding the Doctor,
the man responsible for Ria's tortures. None of them can anticipate the
terrible truth of this world and the scheme which involves the destruction of
every race that was ever a threat to the Universe's most evil force. At the
centre of it all, poised like a spider in its web... the Emperor of the
Daleks!
The Fourth Season
1989-1993
'Justyce Will Be Served'
20) DEADFALL
90 min
The truth surrounding Ardethe has been uncovered, leaving Truman stranded,
friendless and homeless. A group of prisoners - commissioned under Earth's
penal reforms to act as scavengers - locating precious metals, discovers
Truman trapped in a nutrient experimentation tank within miles of ruined
Dalek architecture. When rescuing Truman, the prisoners also take on board
an unexpected, and very unwelcome visitor. Even in defeat, the Daleks never
miss an opportunity...
This show sets up the umbrella plot Justyce will be served, that
lasts for the entire season.
21) REQUIEM
90 min
The Doctor is back. Hardened and embittered by his recent experiences, he
and Truman find their previous friendship under strain. The situation is not
helped by the destruction of the populous of seven planets. A Conglomerate
ship is also investigating, and their prime suspect is the Doctor! However,
even more ominous is the fact that shadows from the Doctor's past are catching
up with him - something claiming Justyce...
22) CUDDLESOME
90 min
Triumph has turned to sorrow at the hands of an entity known only as
Justyce. The Doctor is hesitant to leave the confines of the TARDIS for
fear of Justyce claiming Truman's life. But matters on Earth in 1989 force
him to act. Askran, the renegade Time Lord, seems intent on slaughtering
an entire generation. But that is merely a piece of the puzzle. And
always, as etched into the TARDIS console, the words 'Justyce Will Be Served'
ring true!
23) ENDURANCE
90+90 min
The Doctor is tricked into being stranded in the Antarctic wastes in 1929 by
Justyce. He and Truman join a scientific expedition into the mountains and
discover the original capital of Earth, dating back to the Silurian age of
this world. Race memory stirs blind fear in the human explorers, or is the
city truly inhabited?
24) MYTHOS
90+60 min
There is a land, a magical land, that shall be populated by unicorns,
wizards, golems and the evil Necromancer. There is a land where the laws of
science shall not apply. There is a land where Justyce shall again seek
retribution for the crimes done unto him. There is a land, and it shall be
named Mythos... "Don't you understand? Mythos is a dream born of fire... and
to fire it must return!"
25) SUBTERFUGE
90+60 min
Conglomerate: a rapacious galactic corporation where success is measured by
profitability, and human worth is not even on the scale.
Cuthbert: the President whose path has crossed the Doctor's more than once.
Posedor: the liberator of the planet Nemetoda, now the General Secretary of the Congress
of Galactic Ecologists... a man of the past.
Justyce: am enigma, to be solved.
26) GEOPATH
90 min
Earth. The future. A future run with calm efficiency by Cartel, headed by
Sir James Chrichton. He and his team, including the remarkable AI computer
MAGOG, have discovered a stone of astonishing power in the Earth's crust. The
power is also felt by Helen Remick, one of the renegade geophytes who enlists
the Doctor's aid. In turn, Justyce takes a hand in events, making a bad
situation worse, much worse!
This story features Peter Miles (Nider from Genesis of the Daleks) and is
written by sci-fi novelist Stephen Bowkett.
27) JUSTYCE
90 min
In a desperate attempt to rid himself of Justyce, the Doctor gambles on a
theory. However, his plans seem doomed from the beginning. Isolated on the
planet Solaados, the Doctor is powerless to unravel the complex tangle of
social unrest, historical inevitability and bizarre recurring dreams. Only a
dying civilization can help... but the time of 'ceasing' is rapidly
approaching! And the power of Justyce is now almost infinite!
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