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Post by newt5996 on May 11, 2016 1:46:41 GMT
This is a story that isn't talked about much and I don't really understand why. I find it to be an excellent story with an excellent message taking inspiration from the musical Cabaret for a stunning backdrop to a melancholic story.
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2016 2:43:01 GMT
It's one of my all-time favourite stories. I've always loved that immediate post-Trial era for the Sixth Doctor where he seems unwanted by the universe and is questioning his own existence as a result. Personally, I see it as the final step in a sort-of arc following Time of Your Life and Killing Ground as the immediate latter deals with him coming to accept himself, whereas The Wormery is him coming to accept what happened at his trial and where it left him as a result. Katy Manning's Iris is always a pleasure and her unrequited adoration for the Doctor to be incredibly touching in how it's handled. He can never reciprocate it in the way that she wants him to, but it doesn't mean he doesn't care about her. This is the exact point where I think where he stops just existing and starts actually living his life again. It's a mature, subtle, witty and incredibly uplifting little story that's perfect for Sixy. I don't think I could have worked with anyone else.
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Post by whiskeybrewer on May 11, 2016 14:57:40 GMT
It is a fantastic audio to listen to, but it does seem to get lost in the shadow of Zagreus, since it was released the same month if i remember rightly. Katy Manning, puts in a fantastic performance
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2016 17:55:04 GMT
Yes, unfortunately placed between much more infamous cousins, it also has the misfortune to be the oldest main range title not to be available on the permanent low price offer and is rather orphaned in it's positioning just before a large lug of Eighth doctor stories set in the Divergent Universe.
One day I will come back to it. One day, one day. Until then, there must be no regrets....
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Post by agentten on May 13, 2016 22:43:55 GMT
This is one of my favorite Sixth Doctor releases. I do think it's a shame that it might get overlooked because it really deserves its chance to shine. Hopefully there are some more Six/Iris team ups in our future because I thought they worked together brilliantly.
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Post by Timelord007 on May 14, 2016 7:52:38 GMT
I went in listening to this with zero expectations because I'm not a fan of Iris but after a few minutes i was gripped from beginning to end & that reveal was the icing on the cake.
The Wormery gets a 9/10 from me.
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2016 15:08:32 GMT
It is a fantastic audio to listen to, but it does seem to get lost in the shadow of Zagreus, since it was released the same month if i remember rightly. Not just same month, it was actually released before Zagreus, despite the numbering. So we had around ten days to savour the delights of The Wormery before the epic that is Zagreus arrived; and fantastic is exactly what The Wormery was! The Wormery actually surprised me at the time as I didn't expect it to be that good. (I had never been a big Iris fan) But it featured great performances all round and was damn good... it then got a bit overshadowed by all the Zagreus hype when that was released, but it's a classic audio that stands the test of time, which IMO Zagreus does not.
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aztec
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Post by aztec on May 14, 2016 16:27:10 GMT
I haven't listened to The Wormery, but I like (not love) Zagreus alot, whilst it's overlong, self indulgent and too caught up in its own hype, it's packed with stunning imagery, McGann and co were on fine form and most importantly I found it a hugely enjoyable and admirably bat cr*p crazy story, a fine testament to all that was good, bad and wonderfully experimental about BF in its earliest years.
BF doesn't do enough longer stories i.m.o.
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Post by whiskeybrewer on May 14, 2016 19:16:36 GMT
It is a fantastic audio to listen to, but it does seem to get lost in the shadow of Zagreus, since it was released the same month if i remember rightly. Not just same month, it was actually released before Zagreus, despite the numbering. So we had around ten days to savour the delights of The Wormery before the epic that is Zagreus arrived; and fantastic is exactly what The Wormery was! The Wormery actually surprised me at the time as I didn't expect it to be that good. (I had never been a big Iris fan) But it featured great performances all round and was damn good... it then got a bit overshadowed by all the Zagreus hype when that was released, but it's a classic audio that stands the test of time, which IMO Zagreus does not. Didn't release it had been released before Zagreus. Either way it was gonna be lost in the shuffle
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Post by elkawho on May 15, 2016 3:24:06 GMT
I need to listen to this one again. I remember liking, but not loving it. But like all the stories I listened to when I was new to BF, it will probably be much better on second listen.
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Post by omega on Jun 15, 2017 10:05:27 GMT
DOCTOR WHO - MAIN RANGE » 51. THE WORMERYReleased November 2003SynopsisThere's one place in creation where the truth really can be found in the bottom of a glass: Bianca's, a very special and very exclusive little club. The Doctor, careworn and seeking quiet distraction, gains admission. But his rest and relaxation is soon shattered by the wobbly arrival of louche trans-temporal adventuress Iris Wildthyme. She claims she's on a secret mission of vital importance, the success of which hinges on her getting paralytic. When she's drunk, she can hear the whispering voices in her head! The Doctor soon learns that Bianca's airs and graces cover not just one malevolent power lurking in the shadows, but several. And a wriggling, writhing presence has designs on the clientele just as Bianca herself has designs on the Doctor. At last, after so many centuries, the weary Time Lord is dragged by the heels into that darkest of undiscovered countries - love. Written By: Stephen Cole and Paul Magrs Directed By: Gary Russell CASTColin Baker (The Doctor); Katy Manning (Iris Wildthyme); Maria McErlane (Bianca); Paul Clayton (Henry); Jane McFarlane (Mickey); James Campbell (Allis & Ballis); Mark Donovan (Sturmer); Ian Brooker (Barman)
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Post by omega on Jun 15, 2017 10:05:39 GMT
The Sixth Doctor is simply brilliant, very subdued after his Trial. Iris is wonderful, Katy Manning putting in a funny and touching performance. Colin and Katy have a lovely chemistry, and as a result the Doctor and Iris shine together.
The slower pace is great as well, letting the listener soak in the understated yet evokative atmosphere. In the scenes set in the bar there's the piano playing in the background. Plus the song Iris sings becomes her theme song!
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Post by whiskeybrewer on Jun 15, 2017 10:43:10 GMT
Its an utterly fantastic story and brilliantly subdued after the craziness that was Zagreus
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Post by theotherjosh on Jun 15, 2017 18:29:43 GMT
I really kinda love Iris. When I think of Katy Manning, I think of Iris before I think of Jo.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2017 18:31:48 GMT
I really kinda love Iris. When I think of Katy Manning, I think of Iris before I think of Jo. What?!!!
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Post by Hieronymus on Jun 15, 2017 18:56:15 GMT
Some characters come to a big new role with an incomplete concept or their character, but Katy Manning seems to have this role fully fleshed out, as if she's played the role for years. Even though she'd never portrayed the character before.
I had read The Scarlet Empress before this story, and so knew the character of Iris Wildthyme, but after listening couldn't imagine anyone else in the role. And the pairing with Colin Baker was terrific.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2017 20:07:36 GMT
This and Find and Replace are the only Iris stories I like , so it must be doing something right.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2017 7:55:16 GMT
It's one of my absolute favourites, set in that sweet spot just after Sixie's trial. Closer to Evelyn than his exile on Torrok. Still believing he's betrayed his best friend and condemned to a heinous future, but learning to live with it. Everything's done right from the atmosphere right down to its unusual, doomed romance. Back when the Doctor didn't and couldn't fall in love. Better still, it addresses a subject which fiction is always rather flighty about -- unrequited love. It's brave enough to say that neither side is wicked, nor evil, but there is no guarantee of a reciprocation. The rejection burns.
A bit of fresh air considering the "love conquers all" attitude floating around the Whoniverse nowadays.
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Post by karldwilliams on Oct 10, 2020 20:46:08 GMT
Bianca's opens its doors once again...
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Post by nucleusofswarm on Oct 22, 2020 18:17:11 GMT
I listened to this last year and well, Paul Magrs is nothing if not inventive (and I don't just say because of a certain thing I'm involved with...) and always finding ways to do character study in a more creative fashion. Cabaret, Casablanca, 70s psychadela and a touch of 80s/90s grimey dramas like Barfly, it's a distinctive blend that beautifully parrallels Six and Iris at a crossroads in their lives. For as wacky as she can be, we get to see this wounded, uncertain and even scared side of her, which Manning runs with in an excellent showing, and in turn echoed by a haunted and downtrodden Baker.
Of course, being a Magrs story, it's also very funny.
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