NIGHT OF THE WHISPER
by Cavan Scott and Mark Wright
Out Now
Night of The Whisper is the ninth incarnation of the Destiny of The Doctor audio collaboration between AudioGo and Big Finish, featuring Christopher Eccleston’s Doctor.
The Planet New Vegas in the 23rd Century. Whilst Rose Tyler works as a waitress in the Full Moon nightclub, Jack Harkness poses as a reporter for the Daily Galaxy. Meanwhile, The Doctor is helping the police department with their investigation into The Whisper, a strange vigilante that has been terrorising the city’s underworld.
Another divergence from the usual format of a companion to acquaint us with the story, leaves us with Nicholas Briggs (voice of many
Doctor Who monsters including the Daleks, Cybermen and Ice Warriors) to tell this tale. On face value this might seem disappointing or a cop-out (no offence to Nick Briggs), but prepare to be very pleasantly surprised. Briggs brings to life our three time-travelers with
élan. His Rose is very accurate, his Captain Jack ain’t bad at all, but it’s his Christopher Eccleston that is superb. At first it seems a little caricatured, but he has so cleverly captured the nuance and cadence of the Ninth Doctor’s voice that after a short time you will feel like your favourite Doctor is not just present, but on particularly good form.
The story feels very representative of Eccleston’s area, it feels like it’s set on the Game Station and is also reminiscent of when Rose goes undercover as a Dinner Lady during her tenure with David Tennant’s Doctor. That aside it still feels like a new idea for
Who; uncharted territory. Even the structure matches the post 2005 series, with its cliffhanger before the opening credits (there’s even a Bad Wolf reference); just like that first series, dramatic, simple but effective.
The story is well written, and the interplay between the characters is excellently observed. John Schwab is good as the Police Chief McNeil but it’s Biggs who’s the real star of the show. He’s truly excellent as The Doctor not just in voice but with the believability and gravitas of Christopher Eccleston and also as the wonderfully evil villain of the piece, Wolfsbane.
I am not the biggest fan of this era [steady - Ed.], and tried to find fault with this story and its presentation, but there is none to be found. This story comes highly recommended to all Who fans. It’s really worth a listen.
BLOGTOR RATING 9/10
Thanks to Big Finish
Labels: Audio review, big finish review, destiny of the doctor, destiny of the doctor review, Doctor who audio adventure, Dr Who Audio, dr who Audio review, night of the whisper, night of the whisper review
Another divergence from the usual format of a companion to acquaint us with the story, leaves us with Nicholas Briggs (voice of many Doctor Who monsters including the Daleks, Cybermen and Ice Warriors) to tell this tale. On face value this might seem disappointing or a cop-out (no offence to Nick Briggs), but prepare to be very pleasantly surprised. Briggs brings to life our three time-travelers with élan. His Rose is very accurate, his Captain Jack ain’t bad at all, but it’s his Christopher Eccleston that is superb. At first it seems a little caricatured, but he has so cleverly captured the nuance and cadence of the Ninth Doctor’s voice that after a short time you will feel like your favourite Doctor is not just present, but on particularly good form.