A very different sort of Christmas Eve for a woman claiming to be Queen Victoria…

If you’re looking for a ghostly story this Christmas and missing the seasonal adaptations of M R James’ tales, then get hold of a copy of Jonathan Barnes’ excellent Victorian Torchwood tale, cheekily borrowing its title from a certain Netflix series, but making it a part of royal history that even the streaming service might avoid. It’s a tour de force for Rowena Cooper, returning as the monarch, who gives a powerful performance as she relates her encounters with the Ferryman to a sceptical audience. Derek Riddell is similarly strong as Dr Gideon Parr, with Jonathan Blaydon’s Maddox and Gwyneth Keyworth’s Henrietta central to proceedings.

Joe Meiners’ sound design sells the multiple scene changes, with Blair Mowat’s score suitably restrained until a key moment when the familiar riff appears (and did I hear yet more piano in the theme arrangement?). Lisa Bowerman’s direction is spot-on – including that important element that sometimes gets overlooked: the sound of silence. In some ways I wish I’d kept this for an hour-long drive I have to do Christmas Eve night…

Verdict: One of the best Torchwood tales of recent time – congratulations to all involved. 10/10

Paul Simpson

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