Wednesday, May 11, 2011

[New post] Doctor Who Big Finish- The Marian Conspiracy

Doctor Who Big Finish- The Marian Conspiracy

dailypop | May 11, 2011 at 8:30 pm | Tags: big finish doctor who audio adventures, colin baker doctor who bbc, Evelyn Smythe maggie stables doctor who | Categories: Big Finish, Doctor Who- 6th Doctor | URL: http://wp.me/p4kUt-2yf

The Marian Conspiracy

Story 06
Written by Jacqueline Rayner
Released March 2000
"Of course an execution is an excellent day out... take the kids, they love it!"

I had initially skipped around the Big Finish series and heard the Apocalypse Element, wondering who this flippant older companion was. Evelyn Smythe of course has a strong fan following amongst fans of the extended 'Who universe. While I of course have a sweet spot for monster stories, I adore pure historical Doctor Who adventures. From Marco Polo to Reign of Terror and even the late 80's attempts that inserted science fiction elements. Whereas the BBC Wales Doctor Who series seems unable to understand the point of tales set in established history and use the occasions to include historical figures as celebrity guest-stars. Another point that escapes the Wales team in the regard to historicals is that they are inevitably about the Doctor adhering to the time line and refraining from becoming part of established events or altering what must happen.

Writer Jacqueline Rayner understands what makes an historical adventure work and the Marian Conspiracy excels in providing complicated plots that not only tempt the Doctor to take a part in history but also put him in jeopardy as well. Colin Baker's Sixth Doctor is renowned for his intelligent and worldly manner tempered by an egocentric attitude. On screen this often came off as a bit camp and crass but he has found a new legion of followers in the audio format. New companion Evelyn gives the Sixth Doctor a run for his money by being almost as self-opinionated and sure of herself, spouting a stubborn streak and an indefatigable character. She's what many call 'brassy' and I can certainly see why listeners like her.

The Marian Conspiracy opens with the Doctor discovering that Evelyn Smythe is a walking temporal anomaly. Taking her back to Tudor England, the Doctor seeks an audience with the Queen while Evelyn rubs shoulder with the locals by the pub... where she discovers the date after causing a catastrophic faux pas by raising a glass to 'good Queen Bess' long before Queen Elizabeth took the throne.

As the Doctor attempts to find the much-needed answers to the temporal anomaly, he becomes wrapped up in local politics. Placed in an awkward position, the Doctor is very fond of Queen Mary, but cannot support her overzealous mission to burn heretics at the stake. Meanwhile Evelyn introduces hot cocoa to her new friends only to find that they are involved in a dangerous plot. Both soon find that they must tread carefully to maintain the web of time but not too

A straight forward and sensible adventure, the Marian Conspiracy is like a step back in time to the Hartnell era when Doctor Who was as educational as it was entertaining. It's a thrilling and smart story that appeals to a specific kind of listener, so I can fully understand fans of the monster story dozing off to this one. But for fans of the Smugglers and the Massacre of St. Barthlomew's Eve, it's an ideal offering. The quality of the material from the voice acting to script and soundscape (music and background sound effects) wrap the ears in a lush world of history and atmosphere.

Not a thrilling high adventure entry, the Marian Conspiracy is nonetheless a superb story and the beginning of a lovely friendship between the Doctor and Evelyn.

Doctor Who - The Marian Conspiracy can be purchased at local retailers such as Mike's Comics and online from Big Finish.

Read other Big Finish reviews at the Daily P.O.P. here.

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[New post] Doctor Who Big Finish- The Stones of Venice

Doctor Who Big Finish- The Stones of Venice

dailypop | May 11, 2011 at 8:47 pm | Tags: big finish doctor who audio adventures, doctor who paul mcgann radio audio | Categories: Big Finish | URL: http://wp.me/p4kUt-2xp

The Stones of Venice

"Fanatics never want to get their hands dirty. That's why they all wear gloves."

Story 18
Written by Paul Magrs
Released March 2001

The opening 'season' of Paul McGann's Eight Doctor is a mixed affair. The first two adventures are quite good and rapidly establish the romantic and passionate character of the 'George Lazenby' of Doctor Who. Storm Warning was a rather traditional story combining the historic with fantastic while the second story re-introduced the Cybermen in a tension-filled story set in deep space. His third outing is an entirely different affair set in the doomed city of Venice on the eve of its destruction.

A rather flighty Doctor tries to convince his companion Charlie to enjoy the randomness of their travels, citing that he is determined to turn over a new leaf in his regenerated form. Finding themselves in the beautiful sinking city of Venice, the pair are met by an overly dramatic lady, Miss Lavish, wandering the streets as revelers drunkenly raise a glass to the demise of a once classical monument to romance and beauty. The mysterious Miss Lavish acts as an absurd source of back-story, imbuing the Doctor and Charlie with dread and urgency that only sets the Doctor's sense of adventure on end.

The Stones of Venice is a strange mixture of Gothic adventure and comedy, much like an adventure from the classic series, ala Graham Williams. It provides McGann ample opportunity to show his acting chops as he dances the role of flippant hero and madcap wanderer, hearkening back to the best days of Tom Baker's middle era. Forcing himself on the local curator of the Royal Collection, Churchwell, the Doctor is both charming and disarming, both impressing upon the stranger his mysterious knowledge while admitting to being unable to fool anyone at all. Yet as the Doctor learns the dangerous setting that he has landed within, what with the cult of the former Queen Estella searching the streets at night clad in robes and armed with knives, he realizes too late that he has left Charlie in the lap of peril.

The gondolier Pietro is at first quite friendly and eager to answer Charlie's questions about life in Venice, but soon it becomes apparent that he has a secret plot and Charlie plays a vital role. After drugging Charlie and dressing her up as the missing Estella, lost for a hundred years, Pietro presents her to the Duke Orsino. Between the dreaded cult of Estella and the gondoliers seeking to make a coup against the ruling class, the Doctor and Charlie are in the middle of it. Unfortunately, after all of the parts of the story are established and the atmosphere reduced to canned music and the background chatter of the revelers, The Stones of Venice falls sadly flat. The frenzied cries of anxiety as the gondoliers assault the last remaining plots of dry land are rather silly. I mean, is the 'monster of the week' really mermen gondoliers?

I still greatly enjoy and recommend this adventure as it is uniquely witty and charming. It all falls apart 3/4 of the way through, but up until then it is a wonderful love letter to the classic days of Doctor Who complete with over the top villains, weird aliens masquerading as humans and some of the finest quips this side of City of Death.

Doctor Who - The Stones of Venice can be purchased at local retailers such as Mike's Comics and online from Big Finish.

Read other Big Finish reviews at the Daily P.O.P. here.

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Latest articles from Retro To Go

Fifties Swing Dresses by Brighton Belle
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Adidas Rom trainers reissued in original black and white colourway

Fifties Swing Dresses by Brighton Belle

Posted: 10 May 2011 10:29 AM PDT

For the ultimate in feminine retro frocks, fifties style swing dresses are hard to beat. There's a number of retro reproduction brands with their own take on this style, with the UK's own Brighton Belle adding their stunning designs to the market.

Using a wide variety of fifties fabrics, from quaint and girly gingham to sexier satin numbers, there's an option for almost every rockabilly and lindyhopping gal out there. The dress includes all the structural points you want from a classic swing dress, with an exaggerated circle skirt, sweetheart neckline and the addition of a tie detailing at the bust too.

Get yours from Dollydagger's Boutique lines now, starting at £79 each.

Find out more from the website

Simple Polo Dress from New Look

Posted: 10 May 2011 10:17 AM PDT

The humble tennis dress has moved far beyond its beginnings as sportswear, becoming an icon of British fashion in the 20th century. While the Fred Perry classics still rule supreme, there's room for a lookalike style while you save your pennies.

This Polo Dress from New Look is a simple but effective copy of the style, providing an ideal casual option for fans of mod/two-tone crossover looks. With contrasting coloured piping on the collar, sleeves and embroidered badge, this might not have the quality and durability of the designer inspiration, but at this price it'll be forgiven.

It's available now from New Look for £12.99.

Find out more from the website

eBay watch: 1965 Jaguar S-type owned by Dita Von Teese

Posted: 10 May 2011 09:42 AM PDT

I've always associated them with 1960s and '70s TV and movie villains, but this Jaguar S-type on eBay is owned (and being sold by) Burlesque superstar Dita Von Teese. if you want confirmation of that, she has confirmed it on her Twitter feed.

It's a rather tasty 1965 model with 70,000 on the clock, one that looks to have had a lot of care and attention thrown at it - new paint job, new front and rear rubber seals, new new brake system etc etc. There's also a black leather interior, wool carpets and 'roses etched in the glass'.

It 'runs and drives very nice' apparently and comes with a personal note to the buyer along with a signed photo. Note that it's a left-hand drive and located in California. Bidding right now is at $5,100.05 with no reserve. Lots more images on the listing page.

Find out more at the eBay website

Selfridges Selection sweets

Posted: 10 May 2011 08:09 AM PDT

We've got a sweet tooth here at Retro To Go (or in other words, send us sweet things!), so it's hardly a surprise that we're tempted by the Selfridges Selection range of sweets.

They're old fashioned style sweets, such as strawberry and creams, sherbet pips, cola cubes and the rhubarbs and custards that are pictured, which are all handmade using traditional methods. Each style of sweets is sold in a retro style bottle, complete with retro Selfridges lettering. Great to give as a present - and probably even better to scoff for yourself.

The sweets cost £5.09 a jar.

Buy them online

Odyssey chair at Graham and Green

Posted: 10 May 2011 07:57 AM PDT

Cast your mind back and you may be able to remember the Odyssey desk, inspired by a 1940s design. That design proved understandably popular, so Graham and Green have produced an accompanying Odyssey chair.

The design is exclusive to the company and the back and arms echoes some of the sharp angles of the desk. The unusual look is completed by a suspended back, and gently sloping back legs. The design is completed by the linen seat.

The chair costs £195 and is currently available to pre-order online.

Spam Tea Towel

Posted: 10 May 2011 07:01 AM PDT

Long before it became synonymous with junk emails, spam was beloved of Monty Python fans and remembered perhaps a little less fondly by people forced to eat it during wartime rationing.

Gillian Kyle has chosen to celebrate this retro meat product in her Spam Tea Towel. The 100% cotton tea towel features a line drawing in brown of the tinned meat. The design, thankfully, is much more appealing than a tin of the dubious meat product itself.

It costs £7.50 from To Dry For.

The Late Shows - A Silent Movie Extravaganza

Posted: 10 May 2011 06:47 AM PDT

The Late Shows is a cultural event taking place in Newcastle and Gateshead this coming weekend when 45 arts venues that are normally closed in the evening will be opening their doors to the public.

Creative business space The Shed is being transformed into the Adelphi Film Theatre, where you can attend a Silent Movie Extravaganza celebrating the golden years of cinema on the evening of May 14th. You'll be able to create your own film in their handmade Hollywood film studio, step into the Cinema for One for a very special cinematic experience or create your own 1920's headpiece at the Dress Store.

You'll also be able to purchase works from The Shed's resident designers, including the wonderful Kate Usher whose 1920's themed wallpaper will be used behind the bar on the night.

Find out more here.

Orla Kiely for Apple

Posted: 10 May 2011 06:16 AM PDT

Orla Kiely for Apple brings together retro prints with thoroughly modern technology.

The collection consists of a range of bags and sleeves, all design exclusively for Apple and specifically to fit around your Mac. The products are available in three prints; her signature stem print, the car park print, and probably the most appropriate for computer related products, a pattern called Binary, which consists of zeros and ones.

Prices start at £59.95 for the Mac sleeves and go up to £194.95. Buy them online from the Apple Store.

Sun Spot Echo Dress from Cath Kidston

Posted: 10 May 2011 06:14 AM PDT

These days the name Cath Kidston is synonymous with a floral print on just about any household item you can think of. The fashion line is less well known, but features a great range of retro inspired styles in fresh, patterned fabrics.

The Sun Spot Echo Dress will have you channelling Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday with it's classic style and pretty orange print. A fabric-covered belt and buttons add authentic vintage detailing, so all you need do is add headscarf and sunglasses to complete the fifties chic look.

The dress costs £65 and you can buy it here.

Vintage-style Brighton Line prints by Sean Sims

Posted: 10 May 2011 06:12 AM PDT

We have featured Sean Sims in the past, but these new vintage-style Brighton Line prints are more than worth a mention.

They are illustrative travel posters, not unlike the kind of thing you would see from the '40s to the '70s, but particularly in the 1960s. It's an ongoing series, but there are a number available from launch - two are pictured above, two more over the page and more at the retail site.

All are A2 giclee editions, and are currently on sale for £50 each. They will also be on show throughout the Saturdays and Sundays in May (11am - 6pm) at the Yarn & Glue Open House as part of the Brighton Festival.

Find out more at the Yarn and Glue website

Adidas Rom trainers reissued in original black and white colourway

Posted: 10 May 2011 05:55 AM PDT

After a long break from the shelves, we saw reissues at the end of 2010 and last summer, but now the Adidas Rom trainers are back in a black and white colourway.

Originally launched in 1959, but best remembered for its 1970s incarnation (recreated here), this all-round training shoe has a premium leather upper, white detailing (heel and stripes) plus suede toe, rugged gum sole and gold 'Rom' branding.

You can pre-order now for shipping later this month - £59 gets you a pair. See a reverse shot over the page.

Find out more at the End Clothing website

Via Modculture