Genesis of the Cybermen…

That’s pretty much all you need to say to remind people which of the early Big Finish stories this is, from a time when it seemed as if Big Finish were the true continuation of the Doctor Who universe (although BBC Books were still producing new novels for old and new Doctors). Writer Marc Platt and director Gary Russell teamed up for a story that retains all of its power to shock fifteen years later, and you can understand why certain elements of it were reused in the David Tennant Cyber-genesis story four years later.

It was absolutely no hardship to relisten to the story for this review: it’s some of Platt’s best writing, tugging at the heartstrings even as you realise the inexorable nature of its plot. Russell brings out great performances from both regular cast – Peter Davison’s Doctor and Sarah Sutton’s Nyssa – as well as the guest actors, including Sally Knyvette and Derren Nesbit, as well as Nicholas Briggs as assorted Cyber-ised people (one of which I hadn’t realised was Nick until I heard the documentary). There’s an appropriate soundtrack from Russell Stone and strong sound design from Gareth Jenkins, who, because of the nature of the story, was deprived of certain elements that you’d normally have in what, on the surface (pun intended), seems to be Earth in the 1950s.

This new edition comes with a documentary by Martin Montague, who’s got input from a lot of the key players. Gary Russell (on presumably a Skype line from Australia) is full of praise for all those involved and explains the logic behind the decisions; Marc Platt seems genuinely touched that this story has affected so many people over the years. Nick Briggs does a great Roy Skelton impression (as well as revealing yet more secrets of his childhood), while composer Stone and sound engineer Jenkins make incisive contributions. (Incidentally, at the screening of Rise of the Cybermen, Russell T Davies did specifically explain why Marc Platt received a credit at the end of the episode.)

Verdict: The documentary is the icing on the cake for this release, which is expensive but – if you’re a vinyl fan and a Doctor Who fan – well worth it. 10/10

Paul Simpson