Full-page, full-colour advertisements for series one of the new Survivors audio adventures shortly to be released by Big Finish appear in SFX (July 2014) and Doctor Who Magazine (No 474, 2014). The artwork of the two ads is slightly difference, with – for example – the DWM advert indicating prominently the involvement of original series cast members and Louise Jameson.
David Richardson, producer:
We never undertake these audio productions of classic TV series lightly. We are telling new stories for something that we love, and it’s a huge responsibility. I felt that with Survivors that we had superb scripts and a terrific cast. What I found most flattering was the fact that Ian McCulloch, at several times during recording, said he felt our episodes were the equal of the very best Terry Nation scripts. That meant a great deal.
Ken Bentley, director:
Compared to most of the plays I’ve directed for Big Finish, Survivors is straighter, darker, and more truthful. The emotional ground we cover is much broader, and without borders. It’s been fascinating to read the scripts, to see how the writers respond to this new storytelling world. It’s been a privilege to work with the cast and hear them bring to life characters who are battling to stay alive (Terry Molloy delivers a performance so magnificent it makes you wish Big Finish gave out awards). And the sound design is so finely detailed, staging sequences just as they would’ve done in the original television series. That’s how much thought we’ve put into this. Right down to the smallest detail.
Matt Fitton, script editor and writer of episode 1, Revelation: Survivors gives us the opportunity to showcase the talent we have at Big Finish in exciting new ways. While we’re all used to thinking of Chase Masterson, Terry Molloy and Louise Jameson in a sci-fi adventure context, here their characters are thrown into real and gritty scenarios and pushed to the very limits. It’s a world much closer to our own, where ordinary people are confronted with extraordinary situations and the dramatic potential is immense. Mix in the original TV series cast alongside some of our amazing new cast – Sinead Keenan, Adrian Lukis, Caroline Langrishe and John Banks to name but a few – and we think Survivors is a storytelling world with a tone like nothing you’ve ever heard before from the Big Finish stable…
Andrew Smith, writer of episode 3, Judges:
This audio series of Survivors continues what its TV predecessor did better than any other of its kind that I can think of, which was to immerse the audience in its world. As we listen we can’t help but consider, in a world where so much of what we take for granted has gone (including technology, government and law), how would we cope? Would we have the temperament, skills and determination to survive? It helps that the characters – such as Greg and Jenny – are people like us who behave realistically in extreme adversity, sometimes making wrong decisions. It’s been a privilege to be a part of bringing this landmark series to a new audience and to place these characters, portrayed by our first class cast, in further jeopardy. Across the four episodes you’ll be going on an emotional roller coaster ride with them.
John Dorney, writer of episode 4, Esther:
Given that we usually work in fantastical universes, it’s been revelatory to work on something so grounded and earthy. Freed of those sci-fi shackles, I think we’ve all – actors, writers, directors, sound designers, etc- really had the chance to flex our metaphorical muscles and work outside of our comfort zones. And I think everyone’s grabbed that chance with both hands and taken the opportunity to do something really special. We’ve gone back to basics just as much as the characters have. We’ve been able to focus on people and the way they behaved, we’ve been able to look at the best side of humanity and its darkest, and push everything as far as we can go. It’s not quite like anything you’ll have heard from Big Finish before and I doubt you’ll forget it in a hurry.
Big Finish have released an image of the CD artwork for the first series of Survivors audio adventures being released next month. Series one (which is released in both CD and digital download formats) is still available for pre-order from the Big Finish web site.
A new advert for the first series of new Big Finish Survivors audio adventures appears in the latest issue of Vortex magazine (No 63), available for free download from the Big Finish website.
Denis Lill is appearing is a new touring theatrical production: the comedy scarefest The Mummy.
Also joining the cast of The Mummy are Jason Durr (Heartbeat ) and Susie Amy (Footballers’ Wives ).
Adapted (“very loosely”, say the producers) from Bram Stoker’s Jewel of the Seven Stars by Jack Milner, The Mummy is described as “a cross between The Woman in Black, The 39 Steps and The Morecambe and Wise Show “. The production is directed by Joe Harmston (Associate Creative Director of The Belgrade Theatre, and Agatha Christie Theatre Company regular).
From deepest, darkest, dangerous Egypt, a legendary curse is stirring back into life and we’re all going along for the outrageous and terrifying ride! This titillating tale of terror and intrigue spans thousands of years and will have you laughing, screaming, screaming with laughter and laughing with screaming in equal measure!
A respectable legal practitioner, a beautiful dark-eyed Cornish heiress, a 5,000 year-old man seeking an ancient love and the Tomb of the mystical Queen Tera all clash spectacularly in hilarious circumstances.
Lill plays two separate roles: ‘The Egyptologist’ in search of the key to eternal life, but one half of a horse with fellow actor Andrew Bone. “It’s really stretching my accomplishments,” jokes Lill. “It’s a unique experience.”
The Mummy premiered at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry on Friday 21 March, completing its initial run on Saturday 29 March, ahead of a nationwide tour, which takes in theatres around the country throughout April, May and June.
Denis Lill and the cast of The Mummy, in rehearsal
In an online review of this week’s brilliant, emotionally-wrenching episode of post-apocalyptic zombie serial The Walking Dead (“The Grove”, 4.14) SFX compares the shocking drama’s emotional power to that of the ninth episode of the first series of Survivors.
SFX suggests that the agonised moral texture of this latest installment of The Walking Dead puts the episode:
in the same one-to-watch-with-a-stiff-drink company as the infamous 1975 Survivors episode, “Law And Order”
SFX. 2014. The Walking Dead 4.14 “The Grove” review, SFX online, 17 March.
Survivors‘ scriptwriter Don Shaw is selling his personal copy of his Survivors scripts for his series two episode The Face of the Tiger and series three story Reunion.
These are the scriptwriter’s copies of the shooting script for each episode, kept in Don’s personal archive since 1976 and 1977.
The scripts for The Face of the Tiger and Reunion are being sold separately, and independent offers (with an opening price for each script of £250) are invited. Each script is in very good condition and will be signed by Don. An additional handwritten message can be added to either script at the buyer’s request.
In the past couple of years, Don has sold a signed copy of one of his Doomwatch scripts for more than £200, while a copy of an signed script from his contribution to the Hammer House of Horror anthology sold for more than £400. Last year, Don sold his personal copy of his script for his series three Survivors episode Mad Dog.
If you are interested in making a bid on either the The Face of The Tiger or Reunion scripts, please submit your bid via the contact form on the Survivors: A World Away site, by the end of Wednesday 19 March. (Please note, the Survivors: A World Away site is just helping Don to get word out to Survivors‘ fans about this offer – and will not receive a penny from any sale). Remember to indicate which script you are bidding on (or if you are making separate bids for both).
If no suitable offers are received directly from the Survivors fan community (which is receiving first sight of the sale), then the script will be listed in open auction on eBay.
Reunion
UPDATE (1 April 2014): As a result of the auction, the script for The Face of the Tiger was purchased by a member of the Survivors fan community. As with the previous successful sale of his personal script copy of Mad Dog, Don Shaw was pleased that the script was acquired by a dedicated Survivors fan. No successful bids were received for the script for Reunion, so this item will be listed for open auction on the eBay site shortly. A further update will follow once the Reunion script has been listed on eBay.
The Big Finish Day 5 will feature guest appearances from Tom Baker and Philip Hinchcliffe launching the new Big Finish Doctor Who: Philip Hinchcliffe Presents release; a new audio drama in which Carolyn will also feature, lending her vocal talents to the role of Mordrega.
From the team behind the new Big Finish Survivors audio adventures, there will also be appearances from producers Nick Briggs, David Richardson, director Ken Bentley and actor (and Big Finish regular) John Banks.
Based on the original series of Survivors (1975-1977), this first set of new audio adventures will compromise four stories, featuring new characters and several of the leading characters from the original series.
As well as a brief vocal appearance from key original cast members, the trailer includes extracts from the new version of Anthony Isaac’s original series’ theme specially re-recorded for this release.
Big Finish – Survivors – series one – cover design
A ten-minute Tribute to Roger Lloyd-Pack (the television, stage and big-screen actor who died on 15 January 2014, aged 69) broadcast on BBC One (2 February, 23:10) included a short clip from series two Survivors episode Lights of London I, showing Lloyd-Pack’s first appearance in the role of Wally.
The brief sequence showcased Wally’s opening speech: “You won’t get rid of me. I’ll get back. You see. I’ll get back”. The clip was part of a montage of extracts from TV appearances the actor made in the 1970s, before finding popular acclaim in long-running situation-comedies Only Fools and Horses and The Vicar of Dibley. It it the first time since its original broadcast in April 1976 that any footage from Lights of London has been shown on BBC One.
The Tribute to Roger Lloyd-Pack, presented by The Vicar of Dibley‘s Dawn French is available (to UK viewers) on the BBC iPlayer until 23:19 on Sunday 9 February 2014.
BBC. 2014. A Tribute to Roger Lloyd-Pack. BBC One, 2 February.
A Tribute to Roger Lloyd-Pack, BBC One, 2 February 2014A Tribute to Roger Lloyd-Pack – Lights of London, Survivors
