August 12th, 2020 2 comments

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Big Finish 271 Plight of the Pimpernel

Available to order from www.bigfinish.com

This December, Big Finish are giving Doctor Who fans the Christmas gift of not one, but two Monthly Adventures, including a story suggested by the Sixth Doctor himself, Colin Baker!

Number 271, Plight of the Pimpernel will explore the blurring of myth and reality as the French aristocracy question whether the Scarlet Pimpernel really is just a fictional character.

The second adventure, is set to be a (literally) chilling Christmas Eve endeavour for the Seventh Doctor and Ace as they search for The Grey Man of the Mountain.

Doctor Who: The Grey Man of the Mountain and Plight of the Pimpernel are now available to pre-order at the Big Finish website on collector’s edition CD (at £14.99) or digital download (at £12.99).

Doctor Who: Plight of the Pimpernel by Chris Chapman

It’s 1793 and the Reign of Terror is slicing through the elite of Paris – but not if the Scarlet Pimpernel has anything to do with it! With a very British pluck, and daring bravado, he rescues French aristocrats from Madame Guillotine’s embrace. But who hides beneath the Pimpernel’s mask? And isn’t the Scarlet Pimpernel just a fictional character?

At Highmoor House, in England, Peri plays lady of the manor while the Doctor tends to the strange wounds of her ‘husband’, Sir Percy Blakeney. As Peri prepares to host a lavish ball in Sir Percy’s name, French agent Citizen Donat, and a sinister alien force are uninvited guests, both intent on unmasking the Scarlet Pimpernel and putting an end to his heroic escapades, forever!

Producer John Ainsworth said “Doing a Doctor Who story based around the Scarlet Pimpernel was originally Colin Baker’s idea. He suggested it to me during the recording session for The Cry of the Vultriss.

“I completely agreed and offered the concept to Chris Chapman, who has proved to be so good at writing stories with a historical setting, having written the excellent Iron Bright and Scorched Earth.”

Writer Chris Chapman added, “This was a remarkable assignment – one given by the Doctor himself! That’s a weird kind of pressure, but a nice kind. I was on orders from Gallifrey. I love writing for Colin’s erudite, outspoken Doctor, but this is my first time writing for him and Peri – and what I loved was being able to play with a friendship as deep and knowing as theirs.

“Anyway, I’m really pleased with how the story turned out – I can only hope that the Doctor likes it too, or I might need to hand back in my fan badge.”

Doctor Who: The Grey Man of the Mountain by Lizbeth Myles

Something haunts the peak of Ben MacDui. Something with heavy footsteps, striking terror in the hearts of those who sense it.

With climbers going missing, retired Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart visits Scotland to investigate. But when some old friends join his ascent, he worries that they will make things even more dangerous.

As the snows blow in, and mists surround them, the Doctor, Ace and the Brigadier will face the Grey Man of the Mountain…

Director Samuel Clemens said “The Grey Man of the Mountain is a fantastical story that delves into real life myth and legend of The Grey Man atop Ben Macdui. This story finds the Doctor and Ace caught in a daring search and rescue mission to find a missing man. Along with a climbing party with different agendas, fearful, freezing and firm in their resolve they might just discover the truth about ‘The Grey Man’ and get more than they bargained for.”

Producer David Richardson added “Everyone loves a scary story at Christmas and The Grey Man of the Mountain is just that – an evocative, unsettling journey through the snowy remote landscape of Scotland during the festive season. Plus – it has the Seventh Doctor and Ace reunited with the Brigadier. What better Christmas present is there?”

Doctor Who: The Grey Man of the Mountain and Plight of the Pimpernel are now available to pre-order at the Big Finish website on collector’s edition CD (at £14.99) or digital download (at £12.99).

Further to the recent announcement regarding the relaunch of Doctor Who audio drama ranges at Big Finish, listeners keen to complete their collection of Doctor Who: The Monthly Adventures should read the following:

A 3-release CD / download subscription is now available, starting from #271, #272 or #273, which should enable the majority of subscribers to extend their subscription to the end of the range. Three-release subscriptions are priced at £32.50 for collector’s edition CDs and £27.50 for downloads.

Categorised under: Big Finish, CD, Monthy Series