Queen Thalira faces problems on multiple fronts – but is Cantica a help or a hindrance?

Lizzie Hopley’s tale for this celebration of 50 years of Peladonian adventures moves things forward a bit from King Peladon’s time, to the era of his daughter, Thalira, as introduced in the final TV story, The Monster of Peladon. Thalira wants to be a strong ruler, and is completely against suggestions that the planet might be better regarded by off-worlders if it was ruled by a man (oddly enough, the man proposing the idea has himself in mind!) but she is distracted by her granddaughter’s illness.

Cantica’s identity is obvious to the listener from the start – and the name is a neat play on River Song’s birth name – so unlike the characters, we know that she’s likely to have the queen’s best interests at heart. We’re also predisposed to like certain characters and be wary of others, and Hopley plays with some of those expectations, while given a Force Awakens-type remix to elements of The Curse of Peladon (throwing in a plotline from, of all places, an early Hartnell story to add to the issues). The sacred beasts make an appearance, and there’s the requisite bluff and double bluffs that the listener expects from this sort of story.

Deborah Findlay presents the difficulties Thalira faces well, with some strong scenes with Aaron Neil’s chancellor, Gobran. It’s fun to hear Jane Goddard return once more as Alpha Centuari while Ariyon Bakare’s Father Mendica is a good foil for Alex Kingston’s River. Barnaby Kay ensures the sometimes complicated plot unfolds clearly, with the aid of Howard Carter’s sound design.

Verdict: A solid entry from The Diary of River Song on Peladon. 7/10

Paul Simpson

Click here to order from Big Finish