MINDGAME
reviewed by Kathy Sullivan
Mindgame, a new video by Reeltime Productions, is a 34 minute two room drama written by Terrance Dicks and directed by Keith Barnfather.
Mindgame opens on an asteriod, where a mysterious being talks about acquiring specimens for an experiment. A touch of a dial, and an upset Sontaran materializes in a room, followed by a short time later by two other beings. On one level this is a simple story--a Sontaran, a Draconian and a human have been transported to a prison cell by an unknown being, who intends to pit one against the other. It's an interesting study in the differences between the three cultures, as the captives discuss their differences in why they fight and their ideas of honor. Given the limitations of the video--short filming time, two sets--it works very well.
There is another possible another level to the story, as both the Draconian and human have lines that hint they know someone in common. Since there will be a sequel, 'Mindgame Trilogy', I'm hoping that those clues will be explored.
There is one problem caused by the short filming time-- overrelying on stereotypes. Too much time is wasted by both the Sontaran and Draconian being amazed that the human is both female and a warrior--the Sontaran demonstrating how much of a clone it is by repeating Linx's lines from 'Time Warrior'. And the Sontaran is one of the more stupid models, with only one flash of brilliance. There have been intelligent Sontarans in the past, starting with Linx, and I would have liked to have seen how an intelligent Sontaran would have handled the situation, rather than wondering why the Sontaran-Rutan war has continued so long with clones like the presented version in the front lines.
'Mindgame' is a good short story with nicely-done costumes and special effects. Also on the same tape is the 33 minute 'Making of Mindgame'.
The cast consists of Sophie Aldred as the human, Toby Aspin as the Sontaran, Miles Richardson as the Draconian, and Bryan Robson as their captor. Recommended.
'Mindgame' is available on NTSC for $24.99 from Ambrosia Books 1-888-47-DRWHO
MORE AUDIO ADVENTURES IN TIME AND SPACE
#4 THE LEFT HAND OF DARKNESS
reviewed by Kathy Sullivan
The first of two solo Ace stories written by Mark Duncan opens with Ace the survivor of a crash. Blinded as a result of her injuries, she is rescued and cared for by lone researcher Dorsai (Miles Richardson, last seen in 'Mindgame'). Over the months, as she attempts to find out what happened to the Professor, the blind Ace also tries to solve the mystery surrounding her rescuer. Why does he stay on this planet? What is he studying? Why do the native Tribis attack the compound? And why is Dorsai so curious about her relationship with the Professor?
The story is told both from Dorsai's log entries and from Ace's point of view. This mixture keeps the mystery going and also allows for an exploration of Ace's motivations. How she justifies her actions both to herself and to Dorsai is a major part of the story. How _does_ she see her friendship with the Professor; why doesn't she believe, as Dorsai does, that the Professor has abandoned her? How does she cope with her blindness and with being dependent on someone she doesn't trust? Mark Duncan, in both this and its sequel 'The Other Side', has captured the character of Ace very well--stubborn, independent, suspicious, loyal--and although this story has its predictable points, it's enjoyable to listen to Sophie Aldred's Ace in her own adventure.
The cast also includes John Ainsworth as the voice of the friendly house computer. Directed by Bill Baggs, the audio adventure has music by Harvey Summers and sound engineering by Alistair Lock. Post production was by Nick Briggs. 60 minutes. Recommended.
The second of two solo Ace stories written by Mark Duncan opens with Ace and the Professor returning to her home on Earth. Ace is in an accident, and her dead Nan appears to escort her to 'The Other Side'.
In an attempt to convince Ace that she has died, Nan shows Ace the Professor's grief at her death and her own funeral, and the Professor's new companion, Nadia. But Ace doesn't believe everything she sees.
This is another good Ace story, an interesting exploration of both the bond between the Professor and Ace and of Ace's own strength of mind. The sound effects are used very well to indicate transitions.
Cast includes Barbara Shelley as Ace's Nan, Jack Galagher as the paramedic, Jane Burke as Nadia, and John Ainsworth and Alistair Lock providing additional voices. Directed by Bill Baggs, post production and music by Harvey Summers and Alistair Lock. 40 minutes in length with a 15-minute 'On CD' interview with Nick Briggs, Alistair Lock, Bill Baggs, John Ainsworth and Sophie Aldred at the end. 'On CD' is an interesting discussion of the Audio Adventures. The interview, however, doesn't explain why Sophie is wearing only a sheet on the cover of 'The Left Hand of Darkness' and 'The Other Side'.
Ace and the Professor visit a vacation lodge that promises a 'point of perfect stillness' but instead find an old house that is a fallen-down ruin one moment and a inhabited mansion the next. They also run into Daniel, who is looking for his missing sister, a student of temporal physics. Inside the mansion (with continual mysterious organ music) live a strange sister and brother, a very clumsy butler, and a nanny who lives in the attic.
In addition to the missing sister, the Professor finds several mysteries to investigate. He and Ace have arrived one hundred and twenty years too soon for the vacation lodge, but the gardens of the house have a point where time stands still. While Ace fends off the helpful and hapless butler, the Professor and Daniel find that the sister and brother have plans for them-- starting with drugged food.
The credits list sound effects by Alistair Lock and post production and music by Harvey Summers. Together both work extremely well for this mystery, especially the background sounds, ranging from insect life, mysterious organ music, and the ticking of different clocks.
'Guests for the Night' was directed by Nigel Fairs. The cast includes Sylvester McCoy as The Professor, Sophie Aldred as Ace, Catherine Debenham-Taylor as the self-centered Cecily, Oliver Bradshaw as the strange butler Webster, Nigel Fairs (who also wrote the story) as the gadget-making Harold, Julia Ackerman as the wonderfully warped Nanny, and Max Day as the searcher Daniel. A interesting mixture of humor and horror with terrific Professor and Ace moments. Some of the horror elements might be too strong for the more queasy listeners, but those moments don't last too long. 60 minutes. Recommended.
The seventh of the Audio Adventures is minus the Professor and Ace, but introduces a traveler named Fred (played by Nicholas Briggs). Written by Martin Peterson, the story opens with an enhanced journalist named Olivia reporting on the Cyber War (which has been going on for a hundred years) from the front lines in space. Meanwhile, a traveler happens upon an injured Cyber being on a desert planet. A detachment hunting the Cyber being ('Cyb' for short) lands on the planet and finds an injured traveler, who has lost his memory. The hunt continues, but now the Cyb is hunting the detachment as well. In addition, the reporter finds that her enhancements are somehow linking herself and the Cyb.
This is a fast-paced, very action-filled story. The writing is intelligent, giving the characters room to develop, and suspenseful. Just when you think one problem is dealt with, another pops up. Point of view skips between the main groups very skillfully, and since the different actors use accents, slang, and such, they are easy to tell apart.
The cast includes Helen Bang as Olivia, Andrew Fettes as Captain Halloran, Nicholas Briggs as 'Fred', Andrew James Dickens as Sergeant Grange, Stephen Franklin as Stevens, David Sax as Cyberon, and Robert Boole as CyberCom.
Sound engineer John Vance, post production sound by Nicholas Briggs and music by Harvey Summers. The new theme music has a few elements left from the old, but I like it so far. The incidental music is wonderful, especially the space military pieces. Sound effects are extremely well done.
I'm a big fan of the 80's AudioVisuals which had Nicholas Briggs as the Doctor, and I'm delighted to encounter his space traveler once again. Cheerful, witty, polite to all beings, fast-thinking under pressure--I hope to hear more of this traveler. Other fans of that series will recognize names he drops. Directed by Nicholas Briggs. 70 minutes. Highly recommended.
Price: US £8.99 (roughly $14.83) each including postage and handling.
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