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Post by typeforty on Apr 13, 2022 2:59:01 GMT
Noonan falls into the same hangups Tryelor fell into with the 1st 3 Third Doctor Box sets- he over empathizes the quirks of Hartnell's speech while not trying to approach the tone. He does VERY well with Hartnell's idiosyncratically of his performance. But like Treylor I think he'll settle down by the 3rd boxset.If I close my eyes, my memories of Hartnell take over with Noonan's theme and cadence to... 'fool' myself into a Hartnell performance. The Outlaws itself, as a story is a curiously balanced mix of the comedy of The Romans and the seriousness of The Time Meddler- and Hound's performance is just stellar.. without him the story would be a flop- I'll definitely continue to support the range for a few more releases to see if Noonan grows into the role.
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Post by typeforty on Apr 13, 2022 3:55:24 GMT
Also....Lauren Cornelius is fantastic as Dodo. Dodo was such a blank canvas of a companion that Cornelius's portrayal really puts... feeling into her, I can picture Dodo as she was reading her lines!
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Post by bonehead on Apr 13, 2022 9:44:41 GMT
The Outlaws.
Stephen Noonan is great as Doctor One, and Lauren Cornelius has a certain chemistry with him which is quite charming. Noonan has a knack of capturing Hartnerll's slightly sinister quality (even when he became more amiable, there was still very much an edge to Hartnell) - a line barked out will be accompanied by a slight chuckle at the end, which softens the intent. Equally, his reflective moments are very well captured: the impression (if that's what we're to call it, although, like Tim Treloar, the word undermines what is more of a performance in its own right) isn't 100%, but the inflections are very much there. Moments of comedy, a twinkle in the (audio) eye are present, as are the manic bouts of extravagance or indignancy. Flares of anger and deftly handled. I also like the way Noonan captures the way the First Doc adopts the period speech patterns of those around him. For me, this new incarnation gets a big thumbs-up, and Noonan is the nearest we're going to get to an accurate First Doctor (although I love Purves and Russell playing the role - alternatively, Bradley's is more of a separate take on the character). Lauren sounds nothing like Jackie Lane, rather she adopts an accent and sticks with that - but it is an appealing and quite subtle performance, and while I would never wish to cast a shadow over the original Dodo (but then, who cares what I think?), that wasn't always true of her televisual conterpart.
The supporting cast, particularly the royals, I found less impressive. Over-enunciation is the problem here - obviously the characters are well spoken, but I felt that was overplayed, although things calmed down a little as the story went on.
The story is good: a bit of fun. The humour is more Blackadder than The Romans. We're certainly not treated to epic sci-fi romp to kick of the range, and that's fine with me. I think it is more of a vehicle for the new/old team-up, and its nice to hear The Monk is back to much things up.
With Mark Wright as producer, I look forward to good things in this range. Now, onto The Miniaturist!
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Post by elkawho on Apr 13, 2022 11:17:10 GMT
Listened to the first story. It was good but something felt off about the first half. It seems very much like Myles wrote a farce that the actors and direction doesn’t let become a farce until the third part except for Rufus Hound. Noonan also starts kind of rocky but by the end he’s really getting into the role. I was trying to figure out what felt off about the story, and you hit the nail on the head. I wish they had sat more into the comedy/farce of the story, because otherwise it really is quite thin. But I do like Noonan a lot. And Rufus Hound is always a highlight. (Although I would really love another Graeme Garden Monk story sometime. He was terrific in the EDAs. And I'm still waiting for the fallout from those stories, no matter who plays the Monk.)
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Post by bonehead on Apr 13, 2022 18:46:02 GMT
The Miniaturist.
This is excellent. Whereas the previous story was a fairly thin one, designed I think, to allow the new versions of The Doctor and Dodo to shine alongside guest Rufus Hound, this is a more tangible, enthralling and pretty creepy tale for this TARDIS team to get their teeth into. Embedded in a more intriguing premise, Stephen Noonan's take on the role really comes into its own, interacting in a most Hartnell-ish manner - at times, laugh out loud funny, just as I found the original First Doctor. Really enjoyed this.
Edited to add:
There are certain stories that have been scattered over the decades that are, to me, the epitome of nightmare. Let's see - Edge of Destruction, The Mind Robber, Kinda, Ghost Light, Midnight (to name but a few)... stories, often told in one location, that seem to encapsulate the uneasines of a bad dream. This is one such story. I think we have a BF classic on our hands with this.
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Post by bonehead on Apr 14, 2022 9:06:47 GMT
Sorry to bang on about 'The Miniaturist' once more, but it really is one of the best, creepiest Who stories Big Finish have done, and only improves on repeated listening.
Annette Badland is very scary, and The First Doctor is pretty sinister too, like a cat backed up against the wall, you're not sure what he's capable of. Remember the scene in 'Edge of Destruction' where there's just Hartnell by the console and he's contemplating the birth of a new star, in a mix of thrills and fear? That performance is what Noonan captures here, quite brilliantly.
Lauren Cornelius as Dodo is the perfect companion for him, almost a Clara to his Twelfth persona (only not so worldly wise and assured). Brilliant performances all round and a brilliant, dark little tale. Best thing BF have done for a long time, and that's saying something.
Right - as you were!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2022 14:33:28 GMT
This was a terrific set and a fab debut for Noonan as The Doctor. I could use him doin the giggle a bit less - he comes off as a bit stoned when amused by something his TV counterpart would not have been but overall..fab. Nails the intonations and captures the spirit. Lauren as Dodo is terrific too, and they have an instant chemistry which is something you can never force. They just clicked from moment one. It felt like a space in Who history that I now want filled more. Dodo did, over the two stories, do a bit too much running away while The Doctor shouts at her to stay. Felt a bit trope-y after a while. Minor complaint at best. But then, as with her refusing to take a "ixnay on the Richard-ay" when praising the wrong monarch...maybe Dodo is just a bit dense? It would be quite refreshing to have a companion who is not flawed by actions or character...just not very smart and quite oblivious. Without Steven there to keep her on the path. I dont mind that.
Outlaws was tremendous fun. Rufus was WAYYY panto here. It was easily his most OTT Monk performance ever but if we are to believe this is him after bein left stranded for years...I can believe he has become a little stir crazy. There was a very Maid Marian And her Merry Men feel to this one and Lis is the exact age to be a massive fan of that. I know from her hammer-cast she was not massively into the first Doc, it tends to be Paul Cornell who points out overlap between Who and hammer horror but you would not know it here. She nails the Doctor, the farces he sometimes was in and the important element - The Doctor and at least one character on the guest cast must play it like its serious and not comedy to create the contrast. The sheriff does so here. It keeps a balance between farce and stupidity.
Minituarist was initially evocative of Tom in Solo recently, small seaside town with secretive scientific labs...but it takes it very different places. Its always spookier I find when we are in the middle of events - people are already missing when The Tardis lands. It allows for the characters like Mick to already be freaked out and you dont need to waste time on the "I cant believe it" stuff...as they know the uncanny is abound.
Ultimately the "creature that doesn't realise that it is causing harm" is a standard trope (Star Trek wouldnt exist without it!) but it doesn't matter here, it is just as much a character piece. We build the Doc-Dodo relationship. YES...she runs off once more while he shouts "Noooo" but...he is replacing Susan (which the creature picks up on!) and Dodo is, as I said, no Liz Shaw or Zoe when it comes to rational acts without Steven. I think the scene that makes this set and which sells Noonan on day one is the scene where he understands the creature at last. And he admits to it how beautiful it is, how small even he as a Timelord is compared to its inter-dimensional eternal existence and how he stops using "my friend.." as a calming measure but as a real show of admiration and appreciation for a lifeform he truly marvels at.
I listened to this and Unbound: Colin yesterday. I was so happy to have this as a pallet cleanser as that was a real letdown.
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Post by shallacatop on Apr 14, 2022 16:45:50 GMT
Very much a set of two halves for me.
The direction really let The Outlaws down. I agree with others that the story is an out and our farce, but isn’t allowed to be. By the time it does kick in, I’d lost interest and part four really felt like it overstayed its welcome. I like Hound’s Monk, but with how serious everyone else is handling the story, at least for the first half, you realise just how little he is in it. By part four he’s forever on the back foot and it just ends up being an unfortunate outing for him.
As for Noonan. Well, I thought it was certainly an inspired choice to impersonate Dan Starkey’s Strax, who in turn is doing an impression of the First Doctor. It never really landed for me, especially not the amused takes on the Doctor (that bloody giggle!) and the overuse of “Billy fluffs”, which I don’t feel are necessary at all. I can’t deny that he has instant rapport with Lauren Cornelius’ Dodo, that really does help and I dread to think what it’d be like without.
And then you’ve got The Miniaturists, which is fantastic! A really spooky, low key tale and a brilliant portrayal of the Doctor. Again, I don’t think Noonan is great, he sounds more like Palpatine than he does Hartnell at times, but he shows a lot of promise. The inflections are all there, which suggests that these types of stories are his strength and I hope future sets reflect that; I would actually like to see more of that edgier First Doctor and I think you’d get away with it more because the chemistry between Noonan & Cornelius can help soften it where needed.
Thank god for The Miniaturists because this was heading to be the worst month for Doctor Who at Big Finish than I can remember, although fingers are firmly crossed for the Companion Chronicles
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Post by IndieMacUser on Apr 15, 2022 9:47:35 GMT
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Post by tuigirl on Apr 15, 2022 10:07:02 GMT
I was not going to get this, but after reading the praise for the creepy story here, I changed my mind. Downloading now. I am not really sold on this 1st Doctor (from listening to the trailers) and the Monk and OTT comedy at Big Finish can be pretty hit and miss for me. But when BF does a really well done creepy story, then there is nobody who does it better. I am still holding out for a story that rivals "Night Thoughts" in it's creepyness. I am curious how this story here holds up against it.
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Post by tuigirl on Apr 15, 2022 17:25:35 GMT
Oh well. Finished the Monk story. It is basically what I had expected from the reviews on here. Totally over the top writing and performances. Yeah, this is a farce. And it it does everything to remind you constantly that this is not to be taken seriously. If you find this hilarious or atrocious will completely depend on your taste, and in my case, on my current mood. At the moment, I am not really sure what to think of it. Also, I am sorry, but I actually think the Doctor is quite mean towards the Monk. This is not mischiefous anymore, this is bordering on cruel. The Monk certainly has a point in saying that the Doctor turns up and listens to his plan, only to steal it and run away with it. Which the Doctor really does. I am afraid to say that by the end, I was actually rooting for the Monk.
Also that performance for the First Doctor. WHAT? This sounds like the Doctor is either constantly drunk. Or stoned. Or both. I admit this is not my cup of tea.
I am curious for the second, creepy story. I hope this improves somewhat.
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Post by denyer97 on Apr 17, 2022 14:15:52 GMT
I really loved this. Does Stephen Noonan sound like William Hartnell? No. In fact, I got more of a vibe of Jim Carey as Ebenezer Scrooge in the Disney animation. But the character is undoubtedly the 1st Doctor. Lauren Cornelius is also a welcome addition as Dodo, a character I’ve always enjoyed in her (very few surviving) television stories.
The stories themselves are engaging and entertaining. I’ve always struggled in the past with Big Finish’s insistence on recreating an era; just tell a great story! I don’t want to hear a story set in 2003 but only 1960’s idea of what 2003 is like. It’s why I think I struggled to get on board with David Bradley’s first Doctor adventures; the stories were, in my opinion, a lot slower but also didn’t have anything in them to hook you in or convince you to stick out the ride.
The Miniaturist was probably my favourite of the two, Annette Badland gave a very unique ‘villain’ performance, and I enjoyed the Outlaws a lot too and thoroughly enjoyed Rufus Hound’s Monk once again.
What Id love to see next is for the First Doctor and Dodo to get an arc, she has such little development on television (and barely features in the War Machines so you don’t really get to see how she has changed), that I feel she is the one TV to Audio companion that the writers can really get away with developing her character on a massive scale. Give me the First Doctor’s equivalent to Dark Eyes or Doom Coalition but make it in the style as though it was being made today!
Count me in for further adventures with this TARDIS team. As far as I’m concerned. Stephen Noonan IS the First Doctor.
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Post by tuigirl on Apr 18, 2022 18:14:39 GMT
Finished the second story. I agree, it is nicely creepy and atmospheric. Still, it does not come close to Night Thoughts. I also do not seem to warm up to the performance for the 1st Doctor. Just not my cup of tea, I am afraid.
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Post by Who Review on Apr 18, 2022 18:42:40 GMT
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Post by thegreendeath on Apr 18, 2022 21:04:57 GMT
Nice review, really enjoy your site!
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Post by The Matt on Apr 28, 2022 8:03:04 GMT
I was in two minds on buying this. I do love the 1st Doctor and wanted some new audio stuff from his era but when I listened to the trailer i just wasn't too convinced by Stephen Noonans take on the part.
In the end I decided to take a punt and i am glad that I did. The trailers don't really give a good example of Noonans 1st Doctor. There are times when he nails it spot on and you would think it was Hartnell and I got lost in the story. Then out of nowhere he'd do something that really jarred and made me think "what the actual hell??!?!". On the whole though i think he did a very good job and he was good a hell of a lot more than he was bad.
Dodo to me is something of a blank slate so I had no preconceptions or expectations going in. I think that Lauren Cornelius did a good job, if she sounds like Dodo or doesn't isn't really important to me as long as its a good performance full stop, and it was.
Rufus Hound as the Monk is one of my favourite ever BF creations and he improves every story he is in and it is no different here. I was worried when BF regenerated him into the female monk (must impress the woke crowd and broadcast how inclusive we are obvs) that we'd seen the last of him but now he is in this and the latest second Doctor chronicles so it looks like he is sticking around which is excellent news.
The story itself wasn't overly complicated and was all the better for it. No world ending, universe imploding time war shenanigans. Just a gentle, well acted story with good characters that were acted well and some light humour. It really seemed to fit into the era of the 1st Doctor even down to the cliffhangers that weren't always the most dramatic in the world.
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Post by mark687 on Apr 28, 2022 20:47:49 GMT
/photo/1
Regards
mark687
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Post by aussiedoctorwhofan on May 7, 2022 12:21:40 GMT
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Post by aussiedoctorwhofan on May 10, 2022 8:18:50 GMT
Very interesting response from Stephen..
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Post by bonehead on May 10, 2022 8:43:08 GMT
Very interesting response from Stephen.. What did he say, what did he say (I'm not in Twitter so it won't let me see)? 🙂
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