Fresh from rescuing ruler Teng-Dit and the people of planet Zed-Nought from a fiery death, the crew of Fireball XL5 tackle a mysterious, uncharted sparkling cloud in space…

Originally released for the 60th Anniversary of the show in 2022, this is one of the most audibly fun stories you’ll hear this year. Recorded all in one sitting, it’s a slightly breathless and gleeful ascent into the stars that captures everything that was lovable about the original show.

Fresh from a volcanic rescue mission, with added jeopardy, the XL5 crew are menaced by a mysterious cloud of lights in space. They take over Robert, kidnap the ship and the curtain goes up on the next adventure right when you expect the credits to roll. Nicholas Briggs’ script is smart a half dozen ways but this is my favourite; we start at a sprint and just get faster, echoing the arms wide, downhill energy of the original show.

There’s a real snap to the dialogue too and Marc Silk is great in his twin roles as Steve Zodiac and ruler Teng-Dit. Zodiac’s earnest enthusiasm is matched by Doctor Venus’ played by Genevieve Gaunt with the same wry but never mocking energy. These are fans of the show, people who love it and love its imperfections at least as much. Briggs’ idea of using Robert’s intensely grating vocal pattern as a plot point is so smart, fun and in keeping. Jamie Anderson clearly has a great time in the role too, especially when Robert is taken over, stepping over from robot sidekick to robot overlord. Briggs, pulling acting duty here as Professor Matt Matic and The Lights, also has a whale of a time and lands the beat I wasn’t expecting very well.

There’s just a nod at the end to the fact that the crew are, well, a bit terrifying from one perspective and it’s brought home with wit and intelligence. It’s not a radical reimagining but it is Fireball XL5 through a modern lens and all the stronger for that.

Verdict: Pacy, fun and tonally perfect, this is a fitting salute to the show and a must for fans. 9/10

Alasdair Stuart

Click here to order via Big Finish