The Kingmaker (audio drama)
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The Kingmaker | |
---|---|
Jason Haigh-Ellery | |
Production code | 6QI |
Release date | April 2006 |
The Kingmaker is a
The Doctor travels to the year 1485, to investigate the mystery of the Princes in the Tower, in order to fulfil a contract to write a series of children's books. Is there another time traveller on the loose? And just why is there a robot in the TARDIS?
Plot
This is a historical serial in four episodes, concerning the murder by Richard III of England of the Princes in the Tower, set mainly in the year 1485. The Doctor is investigating the death of the Princes because it is a genuine historical mystery. He visits William Shakespeare, in the 16th century, to learn as much background as he can from the author of the most famous play based on the life of Richard III, before taking the more dangerous step of a landing in 1485.
Performance and Context
Starring Peter Davison, The Kingmaker is written by professional scriptwriter Nev Fountain, best known as writer of the radio comedy series Dead Ringers for BBC Radio 4. Moreover, one of the principal guest stars in this story is the Dead Ringers actor and impressionist Jon Culshaw.
The script has some elements which spoof
Cast
- The Doctor — Peter Davison
- Peri — Nicola Bryant
- Erimem — Caroline Morris
- Richard, Duke of Gloucester/Richard III — Stephen Beckett
- Earl Rivers/Voice of the Fourth Doctor — Jon Culshaw
- Mr Seyton — Michael Fenton Stevens
- Henry, Duke of Buckingham — Marcus Hutton
- Judith — Linzi Matthews
- Sir James Tyrell — Chris Neill
- Clarrie — Arthur Smith
- Susan — Katie Wimpenny
Notes
- In the Whovian timeline, this story takes place between The Gathering.
- Jon Culshaw does his famous Tom Baker impression when the Fifth Doctor listens to the Fourth Doctor's dictated notes for the incomplete (and fictional) work "Doctor Who Discovers Historical Mysteries".[1]
- This audio drama features the appearance of a new series Doctor as, in a way, the Ninth Doctor is part of the plot.
Critical reception
Matt Michael, reviewing the audio for Doctor Who Magazine, criticised it strongly, calling it "over-engineered and overlong", and saying that it "can't make its mind up whether it wants to be comedy or tragedy, and ends up doing neither very well."[1]