Doctor Who: Ringpullworld

Writer: Paul Magrs
Director: Neil Roberts
Script Editor: Jacqueline Rayner
Cover Illustration: Iain Robertson
Music & Sound Design: Daniel Brett
Producer: David Richardson

Starring Mark Strickson
Released November 2009

Paul Magrs isn't one to deliver a predictable script. One of only three Doctor Who Companion Chronicles from Big Finish Productions to feature the fifth Doctor, Ringpullworld is unusual on that basis alone. But the construction of Magrs' story, going beyond 'narrative devices', serves to part further from the field.

There are two main ideas at work here. The first is the Novelisers, a race who shadow individuals and record their every word, action and even thought - for a fee, naturally. The Doctor, Tegan and Turlough have somehow got themselves tangled up with the Novelisers and have a trio in tow as they arrive at the story's other, more abstract, concept: an entire universe in what appears to be a tin can.

While these are entertaining images themselves, their execution and the combination of them are where this story's interest really lies. The first episode begins with Turlough piloting a stolen ship out of the tin can universe, which would free the race it serves to imprison for their violent nature, his Noveliser, Huxley, along for the ride. This first installment fills in some backstory as the ship grows closer to the Ringpull; the way out. The second advances the listener in time once more and focuses on the future tense. This distinction means that neither episode really goes into the current situation in much detail, but that is the point as Turlough and Huxley bicker over their accounts of events. This is more a story about reaction than action; more about perception than inception.

Mark Strickson and Alex Lowe bring these high-concept notions to life with vigour. Strickson is always good value for money and series like the Companion Chronicles or the Short Trips really give him space to shine. It's staggering that, over 20 years in, Big Finish have only produced one full-cast audio with the line-up of the fifth Doctor, Tegan and Turlough, and even that was a story conceived for their stint on TV.

Ringpullworld introduces some big ideas and explores them ably, assisted by strong sound design and music from Daniel Brett. It is an entertaining way to pass an hour and you could do a lot worse than picking this up next time it's on offer.