In Review: Big Finish: Doctor Who: The Eighth of March

Synopsis: Scattered through all of space and time, there are many women whose paths have crossed that of the Doctor.

Some were once fellow TARDIS travelers, some staunch allies defending the Earth, and one was the Doctor’s wife…

From Victorian London to an intergalactic convention, from the offices of UNIT to an impossible university library – on the 8th of March, four very different adventures will unfold.

Review: What a marvelous way to spend International Women’s Day! Writers Lisa McMullin, Lizzie Hopley, Gemma Langford,  and Sarah Grochala give Big Finish listeners four stories about identity, self-worth, strength, love, friendship, family, and so much more. All the while, they avoid cliches and messaging that’s too on the nose.

For their parts, director Helen Goldwyn and a stellar cast including Sophie Aldred, Lisa Bowerman, Louise Jameson, Alex Kingston, Neve McIntosh, Ingrid Oliver, Jemma Redgrave, and Catrin Stewart bring these featured women of Doctor Who to layered life.

I’m especially happy to finally have The Paternoster Gang fully assembled on audio. I can’t wait for Madame Vastra and her cohorts to meet all the other wonderful characters with whom they share the Big Finish universe. 

• You can purchase The Eighth of March here.

Written By: Lisa McMullin, Lizzie Hopley, Gemma Langford, Sarah Grochala

Directed By: Helen Goldwyn

Cast

Sophie Aldred (Ace), Lisa Bowerman (Bernice Summerfield), Louise Jameson (Leela), Alex Kingston (River Song), Neve McIntosh (Madame Vastra), Ingrid Oliver (Osgood), Jemma Redgrave (Kate Stewart), Catrin Stewart (Jenny Flint), Dan Starkey (Strax), James Joyce (Josh Carter), Tracy Wiles (Jacqui McGee), Lucy Pickles (The Hanovari/ Receptionist/ Kitchen Maid), Julie Teal (The Royal Magnificat), Catherine Skinner (Princess Myrahla), Lewis Rae (Compere/ Waiter/ Chef/ The Magnificat’s Guard), Orlando Gibbs (Harvey), Rosemary Ashe (Vassa), Robert Gill (Lycurgus), Julie Atherton (Hodge), Nigel Fairs (Cornelius Pinch), Tom Bell (Prog / Percy), Louise Faulkner (Laeticia), Alix Dunmore (Female-Jordan Love), Dan Blaskey (Male-Jordan Love), and featuring Sylvester McCoy (The Doctor). Other parts played by members of the cast.

Producer David Richardson & Emma Haigh

Script Editor Matt Fitton

Executive Producers Nicholas Briggs and Jason Haigh-Ellery