Rescued from a shipwreck, Edward Prendick discovers what it means to be a man…

The latest adaptation from Big Finish is written and directed by Ken Bentley, and adheres pretty faithfully to Wells’ original cautionary tale about vivisection and experimentation on animals. Moreau himself is not the key figure in the story; note that it’s the island that’s the primary feature of the title rather than the character (unlike, say, The Invisible Man). Wells focuses his attention far more on the narrator, Prendick, and Moreau’s assistant Montgomery, and the vicarious effects that Moreau’s experiments have on them – both men eventually succumbing to a form of madness.

Ronald Pickup, Enzo Cilenti and John Hefferman make a very effective central trio (as Moreau, Montgomery and Prendick respectively), and Steve Foxon’s sound design brings the jungle habitat of Moreau’s island to life. There are a few moments where the action is a little confusing – given that Bentley was using narration within the play, perhaps it could have been extended a bit further – but from the opening shipwreck and the horrendous choices forced on those in the dingey (Wells’ spelling) of the Lady Vain to Prendick’s eventual rescue, it’s a gripping rendition of one of Wells’ less well known tales.

Verdict: Listen to this audio. That is the Law. 8/10

Paul Simpson