The fourth Doctor’s desire to go to the funfair leads to a battle with a primal force.

There have been the odd times in the Fourth Doctor Adventures when Tom Baker’s voice just for a moment or two betrays his age, or the energy levels slip for a scene or two. There’s no chance of that in John Dorney’s terrific script to start off this new set of classic Doctors facing foes created for the new series, in this case the Vashta Nerada that the 10th Doctor, Donna and River Song faced back in 2008. Baker is at his all-commanding best, and director Barnaby Edwards elicits a cracking performance from the whole cast.

Dorney’s story fleshes out the creatures’ backstory (sorry!) and does a good job of putting listeners in an uncomfortable situation in terms of who their empathy should be with. Pam Ferris’ Amanda Steele isn’t the most sympathetic character that the Doctor has met, but Lorelei King’s Georgia Donnelly gives her a run for her money!

With strong soundscapes and musical score courtesy of Howard Carter – including a well judged musical lead in and out of the story – this is an excellent start to the set.

Verdict: A triumphant return for the Vashta Nerada. 10/10

Paul Simpson