Paul McGann and India Fisher appeared live on stage at London’s Cadogan Hall in September 2024. 

Following a flurry of Doctor Who on television this Christmas, audio producers Big Finish have been filling in the days to New Year with some festive treats.

The last of these, released today, is the much-anticipated live recording of Doctor Who – The Stuff of Legend.

Performed on stage in September 2024, the show stars the dream team of Paul McGann and India Fisher as the Eighth Doctor and Charley Pollard.

While a studio recorded version of the adventure is already available, the live version has a few notable differences. The stage show features live foley effects and audience participation, with the audience providing voices for the Daleks’ Robomen. It also comes with brand-new behind-the scenes extras.

Additionally, there’s a cast change from the studio version with Carolyn Seymour playing the roles of Old Emily and the Light Bucca, rather than Annette Badland.

Paul McGann said:

“I’ve been involved in Doctor Who since 1996, but I’ve been on screen under two hours. That’s insane, isn’t it, when you think? So really, the Eighth Doctor lives primarily on the audios. That’s where he belongs. So, this is right and fitting, isn’t it?

“And long may it continue. Because, famously, the great advantage of Doctor Who is that they can pretty much go anywhere with it – they can go sideways or backwards, pair this one with that one, and take this out and try this live – and people will go with it.”

India Fisher added:

“I’d never have guessed that when I got that job – when I was 24, and Jason Haigh-Ellery saw my show in Edinburgh and gave me his card – that I’d still be playing Charley Pollard when I’m 50… It’s not something that many actors get the chance to do, and I feel very privileged.

“I love Charley, she’s a brilliant character and it’s really nice playing her to a live audience – it came alive! It felt really special, like performing for family. Paul is such an extraordinary actor, and to be standing next to him on a wonderful stage like Cadogan Hall, it was a blast.”

Doctor Who: The Stuff of Legend – The Live Show can be purchased as a collector’s edition double CD plus slipcase (+ download), or as a digital download only, exclusively from Big Finish.

It’s also available in various levels of limited-edition bundles which include exclusive merchandise.

Original article (of 30/10/24) continues…

Doctor Who: The Stuff of Legend – live recording details announced

Audio producers Big Finish have confirmed the release of the live recording of Doctor Who: The Stuff of Legend.

The stage show, celebrating 25 years of Doctor Who audio dramas, was performed four times last September. Now, fans can own the live version of writer Robert Valentine’s entertaining story this December.

Leading The Stuff of Legend were Paul McGann as the Doctor and India Fisher as his companion, Charley Pollard. In a quiet Cornish mining town in 1963, the time travellers faced off against two of their most iconic enemies – the Master (Alex Macqueen) and the Daleks (Nicholas Briggs).

The wider cast includes Carolyn Seymour, Barnaby Edwards, Jason Forbes, Nisha Nayar and Gabriel Clark.

While a studio recording of the story is already available, the stage show also featured live foley effects and audience participation, with the audience providing the voices of the Robomen enslaved by the Daleks. All of this is captured on the official recordings of the performances.

Director Barnaby Edwards said:

Directing a Doctor Who audio adventure is always fun, but it’s done without any feedback from the listener. Not so The Stuff of Legend live, where the reactions of the audience dictated the pace and delivery of each performance. The live recording is a beast of a very different colour from the studio version: new cast members, new lines, new action, new live sound effects, new feel. I can’t wait for people to hear it!”

Doctor Who: The Stuff of Legend – The Live Show is up for pre-order now and out in December. It’s available as a collector’s edition double CD plus slipcase (+ download), on digital download only, exclusively from Big Finish. 

Additionally, there are a several limited-edition tiers with exclusive merchandise including tote bags, brochures and t-shirts.