The Avengers

How amazing and what a thrill it is for me to be able to post details of Big Finish's new series
The Avengers: The Lost Episodes. I say that, not only because it's an exciting addition to the BF range of audio drama, but particularly because The Avengers remains one of my absolute favourite television shows - a truly iconic series - and something which, for obvious reasons, I could never imagine having any active involvement with.

My introduction to the television series began with the 'Steed and Mrs Peel' era. The style and quirky originality of The Avengers fired my imagination and as a child, I could hardly believe that the impossibly glamorous Diana Rigg came from Doncaster - like me!

This new Big Finish series goes back to the very beginning and tells the stories which have mostly been lost, indeed wiped, from television history. It features Julian Wadham as John Steed and Anthony Howell as Dr. David Keel.

 














'In 1961 The Avengers burst onto our TV screens, starring Ian Hendry as Dr David Keel and Patrick Macnee as John Steed. It began with a tragedy - and then pitted Keel and Steed against the underworld over the  course of 26 episodes (of which only two episodes still exist in their entirety).


The Avengers - The Lost Episodes recreates the existing scripts on audio with a full cast of actors. Discover, for the first time in over 50 years, the beginnings of a TV legend...'

Steed and Dr Keel return to action in these four recreations of classic lost episodes:

Anthony Howell (Dr Keel), Julian Wadham (John Steed), Lucy Briggs-Owen (Carol Wilson)

1: Hot Snow
Written by Ray Rigby, adapted by John Dorney
Colin Baker (Dr Tredding), Camilla Power (Peggy), Tim Bentinck (Superintendent Wilson), Adrian Lukis (Spicer, Johnson), Phil Mulryne (Big Man), Blake Ritson (Charlie), Anjella Mackintosh (Stella, Mrs Simpson), Kieran Bew (Sergeant Rogers)

2: Brought To Book
Written by Brian Clemens, adapted by John Dorney
Colin Baker (Dr Tredding), Adrian Lukis (Spicer/Vance), Tim Bentinck (Superintendent Wilson), George Rainsford (Pretty Boy), Alan Cox (Mason), Blake Ritson (Prentice)

3: Square Root of Evil
Written by Richard Harris, adapted by John Dorney
Tim Bentinck (The Cardinal), Phil Mulryne (5), Beth Chalmers (Secretary), Alan Cox (Hooper), George Rainsford (Warren), Kieran Bew (Steve), Blake Ritson (Tobert), Sophie Aldred (TBA)

4: TBA
Beth Chalmers (TBA), John Banks (TBA)

Adapted by: John Dorney
Produced by: David Richardson
Directed by: Ken Bentley

I am absolutely delighted to have taken part in this fantastic new series; it was indeed a privilege to work on these stories and I must thank the acting company, script editor John Dorney, producer David Richardson and director Ken Bentley for making the whole thing such a joy.

The four episodes of Volume 1 are scheduled for release in January 2014 - and I really can't wait!

If you'd like to hear a short trailer, follow this link: The Avengers: The Lost Episodes

...muchos titterings

Ah, the baking heat of July... Dog Day Afternoon and all that. Well, as it's a bit quiet at the moment in terms of imminent releases from Big Finish and the contract to appear as an ongoing character in the new Star Wars movies still hasn't materialised, I thought I'd mention a couple of things I have been doing recently. The thing is of course, that although there isn't a lot  I can talk about directly at the moment, an awful lot is actually happening 'behind the scenes', details of which will hopefully come to light before too long.

In the meantime, here's an extract from Neil Gardner's blog at Spokenworld Audio, in which he talks about some of our recent collaborations. Over to you Neil:

27 - 31 May 2013

It was a Bank Holiday start to the week, but as writer Nev Fountain said, there’s no such thing as a ‘Banks Holiday’, as we welcomed fantastic audiobook reader and multi-voice actor JOHN BANKS back to the Croydon studio.  

We spent Monday and Tuesday recording “The Holy Machine” by Chris Beckett for Audible UK. A 294 page sci-fi novel, John set a new record for getting it done in just 2 days!  It is an interesting book, about a dystopian future where there has been a religious revolution across the globe and the only safe place for atheists and scientists is a small island state in the Mediterranean. John had to read as a mixed American/European and perform a whole load of other voices, including Balkan, New Zealand and Wiltshire!



While I had him in the studio I took the chance to record John reading a short SF story that I had written. “The Sound Within” is a free download from Spokenworld Audio right now!



We also recorded a short horror story by top writer DAN ABNETT. This was the 13th and final tale for an audio anthology titled “Thirteen” which has been edited by Scott Harrison, and features stories by the likes of Kim Newman, Cavan Scott, Johnny Mains and others. It will be released very soon via Spokenworld Audio.

                  
As an aside, it seems that I appeared in some repeats of 'Allo, 'Allo! last week on Gold. Loved doing the show, but what a long time ago it all was; in some ways, a curious parallel to 'Vixens From The Void' perhaps... 'muchos titterings' indeed!

Before I wrap up this smorgasbord of wittering, I must mention the opening tonight of Titus Andronicus at the Buxton Festival, performed by Smooth Faced {Gentlemen} and co-directed by my friend Rachel Illingworth, with whom I've just been working on The Blind & The Intruder.

The play runs until Saturday and then has a longer run at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival and a sneaky one-nighter at York Theatre Royal, where I'll probably see it for myself.

Good fortune to all involved in the production - here's a great poster:

And so, to conclude this posting, I just want to mention that I'll be listening to Mary Tamm's last two Dr Who stories later in the week, The Dalek Contract & The Final Phase.

I'll also be remembering the fun we had together, appreciating what a fine actress she was and raising a glass to her in fond memory.

Counter Measures: Series 2

So here we all are, July - whoda thought it? Coming so quickly after June too. Anyway. Don't know about you, but I really enjoyed the first series of Counter Measures, which made its début last July. I love the genre, the milieu (all getting a bit French!) and was thrilled to be a part of it. When the opportunity came up to work on the second series, I naturally jumped at it and have been keenly anticipating its release ever since. And here it is, actually released and delivered before June was out - what a surprise and delight.



Once again, Alex Mallinson has done a superb job with the cover art - the CD sleeves are quite stunning - and I'm looking forward to setting aside some time to listen to each story properly.

The company of actors and writers are as good as they come - anywhere - and producer David Richardson's original idea is in the deeply capable hands of director Ken Bentley - truly a prospect to savour!

The British government has created the Counter-Measures group, a specialist team that investigates strange phenomena and dangerous technology. This box set contains four of their adventures plus a behind-the-scenes documentary.

Manhunt by Matt Fitton
Group Captain Gilmore is on the run for murder; Sir Toby is dealing with his unctuous new assistant, Templeton; and Allison and Rachel are investigating a bizarre series of deaths across the country. A maniac is on the loose, but for Counter-Measures it's business as usual.

The Fifth Citadel by James Goss
People are falling ill near Holborn and displaying a sickness with all the hallmarks of radiation poisoning. While Gilmore and Allison look into a graveyard, Sir Toby and Rachel venture underground to meet an old friend with a desperate scheme.

Peshka by Cavan Scott and Mark Wright
A visit to an international chess tournament isn't quite the relaxing experience the Counter-Measures team might have hoped for. With a defection to arrange and violence erupting on the streets it's time for a dangerous gambit. What pieces will be left on the table when the Endgame approaches?

Sins of the Fathers by John Dorney
When a massacre results from the ruins of an old case, it poses more questions than it answers. But with Sir Toby stonewalling, Gilmore and Rachel are forced to investigate alone. The past is catching up with Counter-Measures. With decades old secrets about to be revealed, can anyone survive the fallout?

Simon Williams Group Captain Gilmore Pamela Salem Rachel Jensen  
Karen Gledhill Allison Williams Hugh Ross Sir Toby Kinsella  
Lucy Fleming Lady Waverly Blake Ritson Captain Astor 

Celia Imrie Dr Elizabeth Bradley Philip Pope Templeton
Gemma Whelan Emma Waverly  Tom Price Father Ellard  

 John Banks Professor Kent - Marcus Fremington - Mr. Ackroyd - The Soldier - Guard - Driver

Directed By: Ken Bentley