Tommy asks Ianto for a favour – with very unexpected results…

When you listen to the interviews after this finishes, you can tell how much fun Gareth David-Lloyd had writing this script, and that he, Tim Bentinck and Tracy-Ann Oberman had recording it. Director Barnaby Edwards’ comments on the writing are astute – while it deals with things that are by no means uncommon in Big Finish stories, the way in which they’re tackled sets this apart.

Part of that comes from the sharp left turns that the story takes, which would be criminal to spoil – but suffice it to say that composer Blair Mowat is given licence to indulge in some great musical homages (they’re rather more than pastiche) with tips of the hat to Bill Conti and Stu Phillips, and sound designer Iain Meadows is thrown challenges that you might associate more with other Big Finish ranges than this one.

Tim Bentinck’s Tommy is to the fore in this story, and he makes a great foil for Ianto; although there’s a great deal of humour in this, there’s more than a little pathos, and Bentick and David-Lloyd bring out the essential elements of both, with Edwards skilfully changing the tempo of the piece as required.

Verdict: Some wonderful images conjured by a smart script, strong performances and clear direction. 9/10

Paul Simpson

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