bobod
Chancellery Guard
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Post by bobod on May 5, 2017 9:21:40 GMT
More full cast Dark Shadows coming your way in this exciting mini-series -
FROM THE NEWS STORY
"Big Finish Productions are pleased to announce the forthcoming release of an exciting new Dark Shadows collection – The Tony & Cassandra Mysteries.
“When I attended the Dark Shadows 50th anniversary festival in mid-2016,” says Dark Shadows producer David Darlington, “the feedback we started receiving - and then kept on receiving - was that more and more people wanted more and more of Tony and Cassandra. Jerry Lacy sat next to the Big Finish contingent for one of his many autograph sessions, and clearly enjoyed getting to point over at me and say ‘Hey, ask this guy’ every time someone brought the subject up…”
“But Tony and Cassandra who?” listeners who know Lara Parker and Jerry Lacy as Angelique and as various aspects of the Trask family respectively, might well be forgiven for asking. “During my first year on Dark Shadows, we commissioned Mark Passmore to write The Death Mask – a story that reunited lawyer Tony Peterson with the witch Angelique, now calling herself Cassandra,” says co-producer Joseph Lidster. “Dark Shadows is primarily a gothic horror romance but The Death Mask was something a bit different – Agatha Christie meets screwball comedy meets horror meets pathos… she’s a witch and he’s a private detective, it’s that simple – what’s not to love? We knew that Jerry Lacy and Lara Parker were both fantastic actors but it wasn’t until we heard the recording that we realised just how much chemistry they had together. The story proved to be incredibly popular so we quickly commissioned Mark to write a follow-up – The Voodoo Amulet. We then brought them back in The Last Stop and The Phantom Bride – with their journey coming to an end, we thought, in The Devil Cat.”
“Joe and I had been looking for new ways into the Dark Shadows storyline and timeline,” Darlington continues, “hence Blood & Fire last year and the start of a new short story range with Echoes of the Past – and of course our ongoing series continuing with Bloodline. The fact that we were suddenly aware of a groundswell of support for Tony and Cassandra at grass roots level gave us yet another lovely idea...”
“I’ve been busy script-editing the short story collections and Bloodline – the follow-up to Bloodlust,” continues Lidster, “so we asked Alan Flanagan to commission and script-edit The Tony & Cassandra Mysteries.”
“When Joe asked me to oversee this run of episodes I leapt on the chance, and all the writers have nailed that unique combination of screwball comedy and abject terror that has made these two characters legends in the Dark Shadows pantheon,” says Flanagan. "Joe was a huge fan of Philip Meeks' work and his short story Lunar Tides is a charmer, while I'd gotten to know the certifiable madness of Aaron Lamont through our work on various Dark Shadows episodes -- and the final piece of the puzzle was newcomer Zara Symes, an incredibly exciting writer I've had the pleasure of writing and performing with at the Edinburgh Fringe."
The first story in the collection is The Mystery at Crucifix Heights by television and theatre writer Philip Meeks.
“The teaming up of Tony and Cassandra has to be my favourite spin-off ever,” says Meeks. “You can’t fail to fall in love with the pair and writing for them is fantastic. Their corner of the Dark Shadows world combines humour and horror with nostalgia and a huge amount of heart. The potential for their future forays into fear and the foes and fiends they could face is huge. Long may they reign as the King and Queen of the Supernatural Mystery.”
Tony and Cassandra then travel to Boston to investigate The Mystery of La Danse Macabre.
“The Dark Shadows universe is so dark and there is such a rich history behind it,” says writer Zara Symes. “I was delighted to be a part of bringing Tony and Cassandra's world to life; they are such strong, nuanced characters with a complicated relationship and backstory. I loved every minute of writing my small chapter of their story.”
The Mystery of Flight 493 sees the intrepid duo trapped on a crashing airplane.
“The very first episode of Dark Shadows I got to script edit was The Phantom Bride,” says writer Alan Flanagan, “so, in many ways, Tony and Cassandra were my mad, sass-filled, action-packed entry point to the series. The reason I love the series is that it's a world where you can truly do anything -- and Tony and Cassandra take that concept and give it a shot of steroids."
The series finale, The Mystery of Karmina Sonata is written by popular Dark Shadows writer Aaron Lamont.
“Way back when Mark Passmore was writing The Phantom Bride I'd sent him a message saying I loved Tony and Cassandra - but I never thought I'd get to write for them. They behave like Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn in Bringing Up Baby - bickering flirtatiously and fighting supernatural nasties while they do it. So I had great fun watching old screwball comedies (and about three seasons of Moonlighting in a week) to nail the dynamic between them. And I really hope I get the chance to do it again.”
Joining Jerry Lacy and Lara Parker as Tony and Cassandra is Emmy Award-nominated Julia Duffy as their acerbic secretary Rita Channing. The trailer, cover and story blurbs can be found here. The series, available to pre-order now, will be released in October 2017.
“What’s brilliant about Tony and Cassandra,” says Joseph Lidster, “is that I genuinely didn’t expect their stories to be too popular with the fans. They’re not set at Collinwood and they’re a bit funnier and more adventure-y than the usual Dark Shadows story. I was so happy to be proved wrong – I’m thrilled that we’ve been able to bring them back.”
News on further Dark Shadows releases will be announced soon."
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bobod
Chancellery Guard
Likes: 2,759
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Post by bobod on May 5, 2017 9:21:59 GMT
STORY DETAILSShe’s a witch and he’s a private detective and when they get together it’s murder… The Mystery at Crucifix Heights by Philip Meeks “We need someone who doesn’t, shall we say, “scare” easily.” When private investigator Tony Peterson goes undercover to Chicago with his no-nonsense secretary Rita Channing, he has no idea the formidable witch Cassandra Collins is about to make a suitably dramatic entrance back into his life. At a rambling mansion called Crucifix Heights and cut off by a ferocious snowstorm Tony and Cassandra have been hired by separate clients to attend an auction of deadly arcane objects and artefacts. The pair at first struggle to reconcile their differences but then people around them start dying horribly, one by one. They have to try to work together, because the killer at large is ingenious and seemingly unstoppable. Everyone stranded at Crucifix Heights is in peril. Including themselves. The Mystery of La Danse Macabre by Zara Symes “I don’t take kindly to almost being killed. One attempt, maybe two; well, fair’s fair. But I won’t stand for three.” Tony and Cassandra knew when they took their first case together that there would be a few bumps in the road but when the supernatural detective duo arrive at Busby Hall in downtown Boston, a dilapidated music hall that's rumoured to be haunted, they'll find that there's more danger afoot than just things that go bump in the night. Battling against curses, bargains with the dark side, and more than one attempt on their lives, will Tony and Cassandra be able to overcome their differences and work as a team? Or will this be their last waltz? The Mystery of Flight 493 by Alan Flanagan “Nobody move! There's a man standing in the doorway of the cockpit…” When Tony and Cassandra board a flight bound for home they think that their latest case is behind them, until a terrifying creature begins to murder their fellow passengers. Something is hunting the people on Flight 493, and Tony and Cassandra must deduce what connects it with a story about a little boy who's terrified of what might be under his bed… before it's all far too late... The Mystery of Karmina Sonata by Aaron Lamont ‘So just for clarity’s sake. You think you’ve accidentally unleashed a demon from the Spirit World during a bogus seance which is... potentially... killing your wealthy clients. And you want us to stop it before it gets to you. Have I missed anything...?’ When Karmina Sonata arrives in their office, Tony and Cassandra think it’s just another case. A séance gone wrong, a few violent deaths... Par for the course, if you specialize in the unusual. But what if this is not just another case? What if something else is going on? And what if, just if, their sins are about to find them out? Because for Tony and Cassandra, things will never be the same again... Written By: Philip Meeks, Zara Symes, Alan Flanagan, Aaron Lamont Directed By: David Darlington, Darren Gross, Joseph Lidster Cast Jerry Lacy (Tony Peterson), Lara Parker (Cassandra Collins), Julia Duffy (Rita Channing), Sydney Aldridge (Mona Lockhart/Katerina Lienkov/Alice McGill/Sadie Mulholland), Anna-Maria Everett (Sister Layla Kincaid/Peggy Duntroon/Veronica Phelps/Karmina Sonata), Brendan O’Rourke (Vincent Danville/Max Ellison/Alfonso Grosso), Greg Patmore (Professor Larry Dennis/Russ Duntroon/Danny Lloyd)
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Post by aussiedoctorwhofan on May 5, 2017 9:25:03 GMT
DAMN!. Yes.. Buying..  |
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bobod
Chancellery Guard
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Post by bobod on May 5, 2017 9:27:34 GMT
That is EXACTLY what it was like at the Festival. Again and again AND AGAIN people asked at the Big Finish table for more Tony and Cassandra. And I overheard people saying the same thing to both Jerry and Lara.
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Post by omega on May 5, 2017 9:31:21 GMT
Jerry Lacy and Lara Parker together? Why, someone must have cast a spell on me because I can't wait for this! I love how the cover looks like something that would have been made back when the show was on the air.
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Post by barnabaslives on May 5, 2017 10:08:22 GMT
That is EXACTLY what it was like at the Festival. Again and again AND AGAIN people asked at the Big Finish table for more Tony and Cassandra. And I overheard people saying the same thing to both Jerry and Lara. I couldn't be happier for these people to get their wish. I got mine that we got to hear Jerry and Lara do some other things besides Tony & Cassandra stories, and we got some truly outstanding work from them in both Bloodlust and the story collections. I'm ready for more Tony & Cassandra myself and quite thrilled at the announcement. ...And am now the first kid on my block to have it pre-ordered. |
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Post by omega on May 5, 2017 10:11:50 GMT
That is EXACTLY what it was like at the Festival. Again and again AND AGAIN people asked at the Big Finish table for more Tony and Cassandra. And I overheard people saying the same thing to both Jerry and Lara. I couldn't be happier for these people to get their wish. I got mine that we got to hear Jerry and Lara do some other things besides Tony & Cassandra stories, and we got some truly outstanding work from them in both Bloodlust and the story collections. I'm ready for more Tony & Cassandra myself and quite thrilled at the announcement. Plus they were in The Carrion Queen as Gregory Trask and Angelique. |
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Post by barnabaslives on May 5, 2017 10:24:21 GMT
I couldn't be happier for these people to get their wish. I got mine that we got to hear Jerry and Lara do some other things besides Tony & Cassandra stories, and we got some truly outstanding work from them in both Bloodlust and the story collections. I'm ready for more Tony & Cassandra myself and quite thrilled at the announcement. Plus they were in The Carrion Queen as Gregory Trask and Angelique. That might have been before the last Tony & Cassandra story, but let's count it anyway. The Carrion Queen is an excellent audio that no doubt doesn't get mentioned often enough. |
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Post by omega on May 5, 2017 10:32:02 GMT
Plus they were in The Carrion Queen as Gregory Trask and Angelique. That might have been before the last Tony & Cassandra story, but let's count it anyway. The Carrion Queen is an excellent audio that no doubt doesn't get mentioned often enough. It was released between The Death Mask and The Voodoo Amulet, the first and second Tony and Cassandra stories. I've listened to it again recently and it really shows that for all their differences, Trask and Angelique are far more alike than either would care to admit. I also like how it ties into that arc of stories that followed the Dark Lord's plan, with Trask coming in from Wicked and the Dead and Angelique coming in from Final Judgement (where Josette would go into The Lost Girl from). And while Carrion Queen leads into Fall of the House of Trask for Trask, Charity goes into Fall from The Poisoned Soul. What a tangled web the Dark Lord weaves. |
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Post by kimalysong on May 5, 2017 10:37:03 GMT
Well this was lovely news to wake up to. I will be frank I am not really into the story readings so it's nice to have something full cast to look forward to. And who doesn't love Tony & Cassandra?
That being said I was a bit surprised the DL was priced at 25.00
not 20.00 as 4 story box sets usually are. I know it's only 5.00 more so why quibble and I did just preorder it. But I hope we aren't going to see more boxsets go up in price in the future.
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Post by omega on May 5, 2017 10:39:29 GMT
Well this was lovely news to wake up to. I will be frank I am not really into the story readings so it's nice to have something full cast to look forward to. That being said I was a bit surprised the DL was priced at 25.00 not 20.00 as 4 story box sets usually are. I know it's only 5.00 more so why quibble and I did just preorder it. But I hope we aren't going to see more boxsets go up in price in the future. It's also in the 4 jewel case in a slipcover format, which is great considering where Big Finish have been taking box sets recently. |
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Post by Deleted on May 5, 2017 10:39:32 GMT
Tree mendous. Preordered, of course. Who wouldn't?
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Post by omega on May 5, 2017 10:40:54 GMT
Tree mendous. Preordered, of course. Who wouldn't? Someone who deserves a spell at Windcliff, where Doc-tor Hoff-man can treat them. |
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Post by Deleted on May 5, 2017 10:57:02 GMT
The cover is terrific, really looks like the cover of a novelisation you'd see of Hart To Hart or one of those shows. Great news, it's a lovely mini-range inside the DS range at large, ol' T&C. |
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bobod
Chancellery Guard
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Post by bobod on May 5, 2017 11:01:37 GMT
Well this was lovely news to wake up to. I will be frank I am not really into the story readings so it's nice to have something full cast to look forward to. There is a full cast play sneakily hiding on one of the story reading collections.
Admittedly there are only two characters in the play and they're both Carolyn Stoddard.
But it is a play and the cast list is full.
Oh, and it's brilliant.
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bobod
Chancellery Guard
Likes: 2,759
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Post by bobod on May 5, 2017 11:06:22 GMT
Great news, it's a lovely mini-range inside the DS range at large, ol' T&C. Need someone to step in to save you? T & C Apply. |
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Post by Deleted on May 5, 2017 11:08:03 GMT
Great news, it's a lovely mini-range inside the DS range at large, ol' T&C. Need someone to step in to save you? T & C Apply. CALL NOW. Attachment Deleted |
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Post by Deleted on May 5, 2017 11:09:50 GMT
Well this was lovely news to wake up to. I will be frank I am not really into the story readings so it's nice to have something full cast to look forward to. And who doesn't love Tony & Cassandra? That being said I was a bit surprised the DL was priced at 25.00 not 20.00 as 4 story box sets usually are. I know it's only 5.00 more so why quibble and I did just preorder it. But I hope we aren't going to see more boxsets go up in price in the future. Jago and Litefoot and Countermeasures both use that same price range for preorders I wouldn't read too much into it. |
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bobod
Chancellery Guard
Likes: 2,759
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Post by bobod on May 5, 2017 11:17:03 GMT
OMFG - I've just heard the trailer!!
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Post by literatedead on May 5, 2017 11:49:36 GMT
Oh, I am so on board for this! The Tony & Cassandra arc was what led me into the Dark Shadows range in the first place, and I've said before how wonderful it would be to have more. There's no definite timeline between most of the stories, so I could easily imagine space for plenty more tales for the duo (I would be tempted to call them "Investigators of the Infernal", but that title is already taken). I will have to preorder this one... at least, next weekend, after I've tossed my cash into this weekend's sale...
With the recent audiobook releases (I admit I'm not really a fan of the single-reader format) I was worried we might have seen the end of full-cast Dark Shadows releases. Glad to know there are pleasant surprises such as this awaiting fans!
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