The Scarifyers: The Secret Weapon of Doom - AudioReview

Article author: Alwyn Ash


"Lionheart investigates the disappearance of a fabled super weapon - and discovers they aren't the only ones searching for it... Death stalks our heroes at every turn. Lionheart and Dunning must fight for their lives..."

More rollicking good fun from those people at Bafflegab Productions (formerly Cosmic Hobo) with the fifth installment in their hugely popular "The Scarifyers" audio plays. Sadly this is also Nicholas Courtney's last appearance in the series, who passed away in 2011. Produced in 2009, "The Secret Weapon of Doom" ultimately serves as a swan song for the actor, whose other roles included that of Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart in popular BBC production "Doctor Who".

As you can expect from such a fantastically-produced play, there is much in the way of word play, humour, frolics, mysterious happenings and a taste of the supernatural. It has to be said that both Terry Molloy (as Professor Edward Dunning) and Courtney (portraying the role of Lionheart) work well together, delivering fine entertainment and intriguing plot. Without doubt Simon Barnard and Paul Morris write something pretty amazing here, bringing prison escapes, murders, and phantoms into being with swift talent and passion. Just where do they get their ideas from?

Following an accident, Professor Dunning is temporarily out of action, allowing his partner Lionheart to team up with MI-13 agent Victor Bright (Nigel Havers). Together they engage in a new case: investigating the whereabouts of a new super weapon so secret that no one knows what it does, where to find it, or what it looks like! Just another day at the office for Lionheart, then? Bright is such a fun character, and Havers' casting is pure genius: "A man noble of brow, stooped of gait and fat of belly.."

Keeping himself occupied, Dunning decides to spend his spare time writing, collaborating with friends of his writing group the Fantasists. However, it looks as if this simple pastime could conceal dangers of its very own... The biggest question is: just what is the connection between the professor's recent experiences and Lionheart's investigation? Add to the mix legendary English actor Leslie Phillips as Colonel Black, a man whose obsession with wasps equals my own, and you have an ingredient for success! First mentioned in The Scarifyers debut "The Nazad Conspiracy" (published in 2007), Black had not appeared in a single story until "The Secret Weapon of Doom", so it makes for a nice addition.

Ever since discovering Bafflegab with their sixth installment of The Scarifyers, The Magic Circle (thank you, Simon Barnard), my appetite for more of this kind of audio play has grown. Set in the 1930s, The Scarifyers explores all manner of supernatural creatures, ghosts, demons and strange phenomenon. Inspector Lionheart had once refused to believe in unearthly beings, until life taught him otherwise. Professor Dunning is a naive and rather easy going horror writer - Oh crumbs! Together they make for an interesting team.

In this installment, prepare for more of Edwin Sykes' deliciously composed music, as Barnard and Morris dream up yet more ways for people to die. Voice artists David Benson, Alex Lowe, Lizzie Roper, and David Bickerstaff play multiple roles, as some face death in unusual ways: for example, what better way to kill Heinz Soss (Bickerstaff) than with some soup? Heinz... soup... Courtney's involvement brings humorous scenes such as face-offs with soup (yes, as previous) and out-smarting a matron (Roper). Did I mention soup? How can you also not enjoy a tale that throws such characters as "Jimmy the Spiv" and "Primula Manningtree" at you? What delightfully imagined names...

Anyone who appreciates the art of audiobooks will no doubt admire the sound design for The Scarifyers, this time around the work of Anthony Danbury, who has been with this audio series since its first outing; he was later replaced by Martin Johnson for "The Magic Circle". Another mention should go to Garen Ewing, whose fabulous cover art brings an extra dimension to each story - he is the writer and artist of award-winning comic "The Rainbow Orchid" featuring the character of Julius Chancer.

Carry On Scarifying (as I like to think of it) is a highly recommended series that will entertain all who enjoy their radio with a slice of sharp humour and wonderful fantasy. The quality improves with each, and the laughs increase. The perfect companion.


Purchase The Secret Weapon of Doom from Bafflegab Productions:
CD or download

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Doctor Who: Dimensions In Time - TVReview

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Article author: Alwyn Ash

"Mayday, mayday. This is an urgent message for all the Doctors. It's vitally important that you listen to me for once. Our whole existence is being threatened by a renegade Time Lord known only as the Rani..."

I have never understood the dislike for Doctor Who's 1993 two-part charity event "Dimensions In Time", designed as a nod and a celebration of the show's 30th anniversary. According to statements that have been made since, "Dimensions" was to be a rather different affair, with intelligible plot and solid dialogue. However, due to time restraints, cost issues, and other requirements, Doctor Who marked an important occasion with a host of faces old and new, and monsters galore. The Daleks were perhaps absent, due to legal reasons, but this was something quite special - utilizing a 3D method called the "Pulfrich effect" (accompanied by the viewer wearing special spectacles with one darkened lens and one transparent one) to give an extra dimension to the Doctor's adventure. It was not, as some see it, a "final insult" - perhaps proceeds raised going to charity is irrelevant?

I can fully appreciate the fans' longing for something quite special, in line with previous celebrations "The Three Doctors" (1973) and "The Five Doctors" (1983), and I for one wished a grander affair had been approved. But let us not forget that, sadly, the show itself had been cancelled in 1989, and there was not a single sign that Doctor Who would ever return as a drama series every again. Even the originally planned 30th Anniversary feature-length drama "Lost in the Dark Dimension" failed to materialise, which would have starred Tom Baker reprising his role as the Fourth Doctor and joined by companions and fellow Doctors - as various actors and production crew have stated in interviews following the cancellation of "Dark Dimension", the presence of Jon Pertwee, Peter Davison, Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy would have been little more than cameos, which was not only a disappoint to the actors but would not have become the true equal gathering of the show's stars that fans would have surely wished for at that time...

Had "Dark Dimension" been both produced and a huge success, perhaps the BBC would have given the green light for a new season, but that is now uncertain. And so, with nothing else on the agenda other than a documentary entitled "Thirty Years in the TARDIS", it was decided to go ahead with "Dimensions In Time". One of the ideas settled upon during the genesis of this "Children In Need" reunion was that Doctor Who must intergrate with another popular BBC drama show at that time, "Eastenders", a soap opera following the residents of Albert Square in London. Not such a strange notion when you take into consideration that this was to be a fundraiser for children, and not a canon-based chapter in a long-running television series...

This is perhaps where I feel slightly amused. It is hard to believe that some members of Doctor Who's fanbase have tried to place or explain "Dimensions In Time" into the canon, as if just accepting that it was nothing more than a charity event is too difficult an idea for them to comprehend. It was a sketch, nothing more. And if it is true that "Dimensions" raised over £101,000 for Children in Need, perhaps just a thank you to everyone who took part is required, instead of criticism? 3-D week, which televised a number of special BBC shows using the Pulfrich 3D technique, included "Dimensions" as part of its one-off programming.

The story. Well, the "plot" focuses on renegade Time Lady the Rani (Kate O'Mara) attempting to trap all of the Doctor's incarnations in a time loop. The First and Second Doctors have already been snared, and the Fourth Doctor (played by Tom Baker) sends out a distress message to his remaining other selves; one can only watch and admire the man who had portrayed the role of the Doctor the longest. Following this scene we meet the Seventh Doctor (McCoy) and companion Ace (Sophie Aldred) who arrive in London, 1973, after the TARDIS is drawn off course - McCoy was, at the time of filming "Dimensions", the current Doctor, having starred in the show's last classic canon serial "Survival" in 1989. Using the method of time jumps, we are introduced to other Doctors and companions as the Time Lord attempts to understand the reason for this phenomenon.

Seeing familiar faces again such as the wonderful Nicola Bryant, Sarah Sutton, and Carole Ann Ford (playing companions Peri Brown, Nyssa and Susan Foreman respectively) is always a delight, and the all-too short scene between Colin Baker and Nicholas Courtney is a reminder of just how good the Sixth Doctor and his old friend Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart would have been together in a televised story had Baker remained for further seasons. Talking of a union between these two fabulous actors, it is always a blessing to hear them perform in Big Finish's audio drama "The Spectre of Lanyon Moor", released in 2000, featuring a Cornish landscape and a haunted moor...

I do find it quite a shame that "Dimensions In Time" may never be available, even as a DVD extra. Due to both cast and crew giving their services free of charge, conditions were laid down unequivocal by Equity, the actors' union, which stipulated that "Dimensions" would be transmitted the once only and should never be "exploited commercially in any way". Though I am sure there are some who would not care if this light-hearted sketch was ever seen again, it does make a nice example of what can be achieved when people are brought together to help those who are less fortunate. Television presenter Noel Edmonds (whose popular UK show "Noel's House party" aired both parts of the Doctor Who charity special) could not have worded it better when, referring to a phone-in to decide the outcome of a moment in the sketch, said, "When you make your call you will be invited to make a pledge for Children In Need. So you'll not just be helping the Doctors, but you'll actually be helping children everywhere..."

Ironically, during the special two-parter, we see Jon Pertwee and Elisabeth Sladen visit Albert Square in 2013 - it seems they are with us in spirit for the 50th Anniversary! And a final word from McCoy, who says at the end, "Certainly I, I mean 'we', are difficult to get rid of." Never a truer word said.

Purchase More Than 30 Years In The TARDIS from the Store:
(Included in The Legacy Collection)
DVD - Feature running time: 200 minutes (Includes "Shada")

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The Scarifyers: The Thirteen Hallows - AudioReview

Article author: Alwyn Ash


What do you get if you cross a haunted chessboard at the British Chess Championships, a magical horse at Kettering Agricultural Museum, and milk? A rollicking good yarn from the makers of Vince Cosmos...

And so begins a tale of The Thirteen Hallows, as Harry Crow and Professor Edward Dunning of MI:13 investigate another mysterious case, this time taking them to South Wales where they encounter bad weather, talking eggs and a forgotten knight in the form of Glewlwyd Gafaelfawr (a mouthful even for the soberest of people). Oh yes, and there is a plot to resurrect the greatest King of them all...

I first had the pleasure of listening to The Scarifyers in 2011 with The Magic Circle, and my review of that fantastic tale reflected Bafflegab's very own piece of magic and the excellence of production, casting and music. Then called Cosmic Hobo, the company's ability to blend drama and comedy engaged the listener with such beautiful storytelling that it was an honour to spend time in the company of these very talented people. Since then there has been The Horror of Loch Ness, another success for writers Simon Barnard, Paul Morris and the team.

And, of course, prior to The Magic Circle there had been five other adventures starring Nicholas Courtney and Terry Molloy; sadly, following the passing of Courtney, a change was required with the introduction of David Warner... So how does The Thirteen Hallows compare to the previous seven self-contained installments?

The humour, to begin with, is as fresh and tummy-tickling as ever, with the most amusing misunderstanding about milk I have ever heard! Every step of the way no trick is missed, or stone unturned, in the desire to entertain; as always, legends Terry Molloy and Warner as Professor Dunning and Harry Crow respectively are in fantastic form. Welsh actor Gareth David-Lloyd (Torchwood) also features as Gafaelfawr, the 1400-year-old knight whose task it has been to protect something of importance. Except...

As for the plot itself, how exciting to read about The Thirteen Hallows, or Thirteen Treasures of the Island of Britain, and discover just how rich this tale is in myth and legend. If you read about the "Thirteen Treasures..." you will learn that these were magical items of Welsh tradition believed to have been obtained by Merlin and protected until a time of King Arthur's awakening. In this wonderful tale, however, Bafflegab gives us Nazis who show up in the South West of England as archaeologist Ralegh Radford and his team prepare to unearth something rather splendid (or, as the British press call it, "Britain's Tutankhamen"). But all is well, as Germany is interested in forming an alliance with Britain as tensions rise against Russia.

With a cast that also includes David Benson, Margaret Cabourn-Smith, Ewan Bailey, David Bickerstaff and Nick Scovell (who all play several parts), there is no shortage of talent. In particular, Cabourn-Smith is delicious as Lady Miriam Gore. But all perfectly deliver the ingenious laugh out loud wit that Scarifyers has become known for...

David-Lloyd puts no foot wrong as a knight out of time, coming to terms with the present day he has now found himself in ("It is like some kind of fantasmagorical nightmare" and "Begad, it farts like a water horse...")

Whenever hearing these tales I cannot help but think of the British television series character Danger Mouse and his assistant Ernest Penfold, the latter whom I liken to Professor Dunning - with both Harry Crow (and Inspector Lionheart before him) portraying the role of the world's greatest secret agent. Oh crumbs, did I just compare Terry Molloy's character to a bespectacled hamster? There are plenty of nods to movies, too, including Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (with a Druid connection) and Indiana Jones...

I must pay respect to the work of Edwin Sykes for the music, Martin Johnson for sound design, and Garen Ewing for the wonderful cover art depicting Dunning and Crow emerging from a Ghost Train, sword and rifle at the ready. What a fabulous team Bafflegab has put together! With The Scarifyers and Vince Cosmos fighting the good fight, Planet Earth is well and truly safe from aliens, demons and all manner of foul stenches.


Further reading: Bafflegab - official website

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The Scarifyers: Issue #1 - ComixReview

Article author: Alwyn Ash


"The glass moved, faster, faster still."

I have to admit something: this reviewer is not much of a comics fan. Rarely read them. However there are exceptions: The Only Good Dalek (BBC Books) and The Walking Dead (Image Comics) are two that have lured me into the pages of comic. But I am always keen to experience new publications, be transported into the pages of a well-conceived story. And thank goodness for that, for there will now be a place in my heart with Cosmic Hobo's The Scarifyers comic, wonderfully brought to life by creator and writer Simon Barnard and illustrator Simon Gurr.

Firstly, a little about The Scarifyers. Originally this audio series followed the adventures of Inspector Lionheart and Professor Dunning, played brilliantly by Nicholas Courtney and Terry Molloy respectively, as they investigated the strange and spooky goings-on in 1930s Britain. These wonderful tales began with The Nazad Conspiracy and lasted for four more episodes before the sad passing of actor Courtney. However, with the introduction of new character Harry 'Thumper' Crow - portrayed by David Warner - Cosmic Hobo allowed the magic to continue. It is therefore exciting to see that The Scarifyers and MI:13 have branched out into the world of comics...

Issue #1 begins an adaptation of the aforementioned The Nazad Conspiracy, bringing the story to life in visual form and showcasing the talents of artist Gurr. If you are familiar with The Scarifyers already then you will no doubt hear actors Courtney and Molloy as you read the comic; if not, then that is okay too, for the humour still shines through: exampled by a Russian who doesn't speak English but quite clearly says so... in English; and London bobbies with about as much intelligence as a stick of Blackpool rock - thank goodness for Lionheart!

The opening pages deliver a man, running through snow in fear for his life. He arrives at London University in search of Dunning: "You must help me professor! It's after me!" And so begins a tale of black magic, clowns and demons...

I am a huge fan of these fabtabulous tales, always looking forward to the next thrilling installment. These reviews reflect and share thoughts on the genius of The Scarifyers. And the leap from audio to comic is a very smart move, expanding on the Universe of Dunning, Lionheart and Crow, and creating an outlet for stories we may never experience in audio format. Although the early issues are an adaptation of The Nazad Conspiracy, it is a certainty that the team behind this remarkable creation will explore further, delving into the unimaginable horrors of other occult, demonic, and bizarre creatures and people who dare to utterly bewilder the sharp-eyed professor and take on the might of the long arm of the law.

Perhaps it isn't too much of a hope that we will someday see a novel too?

So, thirty-two pages of black and white brilliance, a humour that is transferred to page just as easily as it was originally from script to audio, and the best pairing since 1989's Detective Michael Dooley and Jerry Lee (K-9). Oh crumbs, Dunning certainly wouldn't find that reference appealing!

The journey of The Scarifyers has been a fascinating one, for not only has it been broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Extra (formerly Radio 7) but, except for the comic, each and every story is available via Big finish Productions too, in addition to the official Cosmic Hobo website. So go explore, taste a piece of Scarifyers now...


US fans can purchase the comic via IndyPlanet.

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The Scarifyers: The Horror of Loch Ness - AudioReview

Article author: Alwyn Ash


Scotland. The search for the Loch Ness monster (or Nessy as he has long since been affectionately named) is yet to produce an actual "sighting", even though the best attempts have been made by professional hunters to locate and publicly exhibit proof of his existence.

A top secret speed trial and the mysterious disappearance of Sir Malcolm Campbell (played wonderfully by Alex Lowe) leads MI:13's Harry Crow and Professor Dunning to investigate, however not before toilet stops and heavy rain.

Under false pretences (reporter and photographer for the Uncanny Gazette) they make a stop to speak with Miss Vivian Beak (“What sort of person lives in a caravan?” - Harold Crow) concerning the disappearance of the Blue Bird (“Not a blue bird, Mr Dunning. The Blue Bird!”). Before long they encounter some very friendly people (“Who wants to know?”), Nessy hunters, and Doctor Pippin (local general practioner). Of course being The Scarifyers nothing is ever straightforward. Throw in a loch-full of humour and witty one-liners and you have a story worth its salt.

The seventh adventure in the audio series, The Horror of Loch Ness once more stars Terry Molloy as the quite incapable and ridiculously naive Dunning (who is far more at home as a professor and ghost writer) and David Warner as Harry Crow, a man who doesn't suffer fools gladly and is by far the most capable of the two. If previous outing The Magic Circle gave us a new ingredient with the introduction of Crow, respectably replacing the late Nicholas Courtney as Dunning's colleague, then The Horror of Loch Ness takes that situation by developing this new alliance further but still maintaining the quality that we have grown to appreciate and enjoy.

Written by Simon Barnard and Paul Morris, there is no sign of a let-up in the magic as both characters and plot are driven along at full throttle (perfectly complimented by excellent music and sound design), never allowing for pause as one intriguing scene leads directly to another equally mind-boggling encounter or mystery. This is the world of The Scarifyers and nothing is as it appears.

The inclusion of actor Philip Madoc as Doctor Pippin is, in itself, inspirationally achieved: who else could have brought such power to the role other than a man who has brought us Shakespeare; had a cameo in a Dalek feature film (as smuggler Brockley, not to be confused with "broccoli") and appeared in numerous roles in Doctor Who between 1968-79, returning to the serial briefly for two Big Finish audio adventures? And, quite frankly, if you are going to have someone portray Pippin then why not cast someone who has already played a fanatical scientist with a Frankenstein-approach to resurrecting a criminal Time Lord? (Doctor Who: The Brain of Morbius)

The Horror of Loch Ness is also Madoc's last performance - he sadly passed away earlier this year. A touching farewell, it now seems, and a dedication to a man who was the the best of his generation.

From its first outing with The Nazad Conspiracy, The Scarifyers has been an outstanding contribution to audio storytelling. Cosmic Hobo (established in 2006), the company responsible for its genesis, has quite clearly embraced the art of audio with both hands, developing fine high-quality drama. Other projects released by CH include Sherlock Holmes and Peter Cushing reading his own autobiography (Peter Cushing: Past Forgetting).

The Horror of Loch Ness is a sequel "of sorts" to one of the earlier adventures, The Devil of Denge Marsh (starring Molloy and Courtney), but there is no need to worry - you do not require any knowledge of the aforementioned title to enjoy this hilarious romp.

This adventure, and indeed the series as a whole, is highly recommended for those who enjoy their audio with a touch of genuine affection and genius - the team's love for the characters and genre is clearly reflected in their work (they are Doctor Who fans, too, so a big plus). So go on, take a trip to the sleepy lock-side village of Inverfarigaig... Oh crumbs!


The Scarifyers is available from Bafflegab Productions (formerly Cosmic Hobo Productions).

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The Scarifyers: The Magic Circle - AudioReview

Article author: Alwyn Ash


Oh crumbs! The Scarifyers back for a new adventure!

It is always a delight to discover something new, especially when it is as wonderfully scripted as The Scarifyers: The Magic Circle, an audio adventure following the exploits of Professor Dunning as he attempts to find his old friend, Inspector Lionheart.

To understand a little about this audio series you must take a step back to the first five stories - in 2006 actors Nicholas Courtney and Terry Molloy were cast as Lionheart and Dunning respectively, two characters brought together to investigate mysterious happenings; Dunning is a ghost writer and professor of Ancient History at London University, Lionheart works for the Metropolitan Police.

Over the course of five stories the two investigators face sinister clowns, Russian demons, an inter-dimensional being and far more, resulting in Lionheart setting up top-secret government department MI-13 in second adventure The Devil of Denge Marsh.

There is no doubt that Lionheart is the man who gets things done while Dunning, though obviously very enthusiastic, is not someone to face the darkness alone.

And so to The Magic Circle, the sixth adventure in the series. Nicholas Courtney died in early 2011, leaving behind fond memories from a fanbase who dearly loved him and a remarkable career. The decision was made to continue with The Scarifyers, casting seasoned actor David Warner in the role of Harry Crow, Lionheart’s former colleague in the force.

The plot for The Magic Circle revolves around Professor Dunning's concerns and search for Lionheart. The tale is both touching and electrifying, oozing humour throughout. Molloy's delivery as Dunning never fails to make me smile, his reaction the perfect treat; in one scene, he clearly fails to realise that there is no such thing as a talking rabbit! Although, I suppose, in the world of the Scarifyers, perhaps it is always a possibility...?

Warner, too, hits the mark with an eagle-eye approach and years of police force experience behind Crow.

Produced by Cosmic Hobo Productions, The Scarifyers: The Magic Circle is written by Simon Barnard (who produces & directs) and Paul Morris, with music by Edwin Sykes.

There is a touch of magic about The Scarifyers and this outing offers an emotional twist in its tale, thanks to the acting talent of Stephen Thorne, who portrays a very special character indeed.

And lastly, as an extra treat, a beautiful tribute to Nicholas Courtney from cast and crew: Terry Molloy, Simon Barnard and Paul Morris, David Benson, Lizzie Roper, Ewan Bailey, David Bickerstaff, Scott Brooksbank, Cicely Giddings and Stephen Thorne share their memories of the actor and talk about the story and their characters - includes thoughts about Lionheart from the great man himself!

There is no doubt that all involved in this fine production respected and loved Nicholas, and the treatment of his character's memory really does reflect that. Lily Wighton's introduction (played beautifully by Cicely Giddings) is a further lasting tribute to both man and character.

I suppose The Magic Circle represents a new phase for the series. Linking up with The Scarifyers at this point makes it easy to join in with the adventures; whereas most audio titles have a story arc that is impossible to absorb the further in they are, now you have an opportunity to enjoy the experience with The Magic Circle or The Nazad Conspiracy (the first in the series).

If previous stories are anything like The Magic Circle, you will find them intriguing and extremely good fun, both story lines and wit at the highest level possible, the acting equal to the standards raised by all involved.

I am now a fan!



Originally published on Nebula One (News)
Review © Alwyn Ash 2011

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