Synopsis: For decades there have been rumors at St Simeon’s College. People whispered of a door that somehow appears, once a year, in the depths of the building.
Some claim it leads to a set of rooms owned by a long-forgotten master of the college. If you happen to meet him, he’ll invite you inside to hear a story.
His tale will chill the blood. However, those who hear him speak are never the same.
No one knows who the man is or where the rooms come from. There is no official record of either.
Yet, they both exist if you know where to look when the cold, dark nights draw in. Would you like to hear a story? Because the Master’s waiting.
Review: I love ghost stories in general and M.R. James’ ghost stories in particular. Consequently, The War Master: Future Phantoms made me giddy with joy.
Story
The writers blended various classic ghost story tropes together around central homages. Then, they added liberal dashes of science fiction.
The four expertly crafted tales stood on their own. Together, though, they culminated in a marvelous twist ending.
“His Close Companions” by Jonathan Barnes was a riff on James’ “Lost Hearts.” Barnes established the tone, structure, and commentary that put a smile on my face throughout the set.
“The Foxglove Cylinders” by James Goss was a love letter to James’ “A View from a Hill.” Goss wholeheartedly employed James’ macabre plot points in service of a Doctor Who narrative.
“The Sitter” by Lizzie Hopley was a take on James’ “Number 13.” Hopley exchanged the passive dread of the original tale for active horror with no respite.
“Signal and I’ll Come to You” by Tim Foley was a composite of M.R. James and Charles Dickens. Given how both authors shaped the genre, I was surprised Big Finish hadn’t attempted this heady mix before.
Acting
The entire cast was superb! That said, the soundscape belonged to Derek Jacobi. He gleefully played roles within roles from beginning to end.
Overall
Thank you, Big Finish. The War Master: Future Phantoms was an absolute treat with which to wile away an autumn afternoon.
You can purchase The War Master: Future Phantoms here.
- Story10
- Performances10
- Audio Production10
