Doctor Who: Horror Of Fang Rock (4th Doctor TV Soundtrack) by Terrance Dicks (CD review).
The ultimate haunted house story, ‘Horror Of Fang Rock’ sees the Fourth Doctor return to Earth. He arrives on the south coast of England (we didn’t do international in 1977). Fang Rock Lighthouse in the early 1900s has three lighthouse keepers but it’s still a lonely life and they might be prone to strange imaginings.
When the Doctor and Leela arrive, one of the keepers is missing, having seen some odd lights in the water and all have noticed the peculiar fog reaching its tendrils into the lighthouse.
It is up to the Doctor and Leela to save the remaining keepers and possibly the Earth. To lighten the load, along come some shipwrecked travellers who are also potential victims of the alien invaders or as I like to call them ‘cannon-fodder’.
This comes over as quite an atmospheric tale, although it’s not a standout classic. Louise Jameson provides the linking narration to this release of the original soundtrack. It seems an odd thing to do when the DVD of this is easily and cheaply available but it actually works well and even better perhaps if you haven’t seen the TV episodes. It’s not ideal as specially written audios offer much richer experiences but it is entertaining to hear it again. It’s whatever floats your boat really and if you like audios then, whatever the source, it’s a fun listen.
This includes a bonus interview with Louise Jameson.
Sue Davies
(pub: Audio Go/BBC. 2 CDs 116 minute story plus extras. Price: CD: £ 9.49 (UK), Download: £ 6.11 (UK). ISBN: 978-1-47130-142-1)
cast: Tom Baker and Louise Jameson
check out website: www.audiogo.co.uk
