Synopsis: Captain Jack is BACK! John Barrowman takes on fake news, trench warfare, and the Sixth Doctor’s dress sense in The Lives of Captain Jack Volume Two.
Review: The Lives of Captain Jack Volume 02 is a wonderful addition to this new range. This set demonstrates how much Big Finish loves character-driven stories and the actors they showcase in them.
“Piece of Mind” by James Goss is the John Barrowman and Colin Baker Audio Hour. Goss crafts a narrative that allows the actors plenty of room to play each other’s characters in a very heightened context. All the while, the story is strong enough in itself not to be overpowered by their performances. The result is a walk-a-mile-in-his shoes tale that says everything listeners expect and a few things they don’t about The Sixth Doctor and the former Time Agent he really shouldn’t be meeting yet. The reworking of Captain Jack’s Big Finish theme tune in the style of the Sixth Doctor’s era is lovely icing on an already brilliant cake.
“What Have I Done?” by Guy Adams is a war story about the baggage men bring with them into the trenches. It’s a two-hander in which John Barrowman and Atilla Akinci really get put through their paces. It’s also a story in which the alien creature is incidental. Additionally, I really appreciate that Akinci is a Turkish actor playing an Ottoman soldier in a tale set during the Battle of Gallipoli.
“Driving Miss Wells” by James Goss is the kind of story I absolutely adore — a love letter to a bit character finally center stage. Lachele Carl has played Newsreader Trinity Wells across Doctor Who, Torchwood, and The Sarah Jane Adventures. Finally, Goss gives Carl some truly meaty stuff to play, as Trinity goes on a journey that leaves her a force to be reckoned with. I hope listeners get further adventures with her in future.
Thank you, Big Finish, for three more great yarns. I can’t wait for The Lives of Captain Jack Volume 03.
- You can purchase The Lives of Captain Jack Volume 02 here.
Cast
John Barrowman (Captain Jack Harkness), Colin Baker (The Doctor), Atilla Akinci (Ata), Hannah Arterton (Callista), Vikash Bhai (Robert Corman), Timothy Blore (Nurse), Lachele Carl (Trinity Wells), Judith Chander (Mrs Wells), Laura Dalgleish (Bookshop Customer ), Jacob Dudman (William), Ché Francis (Ottoman Medic / Waiter), Jonny Glynn (Allied Soldier / Foxglove Soldier), Sophie Hopkins (Hayat), Rhys Isaac-Jones (Allied Soldier), Prasanna Puwanarajah (Zor), Maeve Bluebell Wells (Journalist)
Production Credits
Sound Design Richard Fox @ FoxYason Studios, Steve Foxon
Additional themes by Ben Foster
Cover Artist Lee Binding
Director Scott Handcock
Executive Producer Jason Haigh-Ellery, Nicholas Briggs
Music Blair Mowat
Producer James Goss
Script Editor Guy Adams, James Goss
Written by Guy Adams, James Goss
- Story9.0
- Performances10
- Audio Production10
