Somewhere outside our universe, she is waiting. A god-like immortal, living in a realm of clocks. The hours tick slowly by as she plots and plans. She is readying her trap. A trap for a very special man in a very special police box. Hecuba has all the time in the world. But for the Doctor, time is running out…
Originally submitted by Brian Hayles for Season 5, this adaption by Catherine Harvey for Big Finish is performed by Frazer Hines as Jamie, Wendy Padbury as Zoe and Caroline Faber as Hecuba.
During it’s original creation, Brian Hayles desired to somewhat broaden and deepen the scope of the series and his own contributions, taking them away from the traditional sci-fi scenarios of his other work on the show during the Troughton era. With The Queen of Time he would have produced a piece of the fantastic, something that is more akin to The Celestial Toymaker than The Seeds of Death!
Like her relative the Toymaker, Hecuba is a powerful games player, devious and charismatic and as Catherine Hervey notes
“Hecuba is essentially a games player. She is looking for the ultimate challenger - The Doctor”
Captured and forced to partake in Hecuba’s games to prove their worth, the echoes of The Celestial Toymaker were great enough for the original submission to be rejected by Peter Bryant. Yet now, as a stand alone adventure, those concerns are void and The Queen of a Time looks to be an anniversary treat indeed.
Facing a foe with romantic designs on him, described as “A cross between Lady Bracknel, Titania and Gracie Fields” by Hayles, the Second Doctor may have come up against his deadliest foe yet as The Lost Stories range begins to come to a close.
Watch out for Nostradamus, the giant hour glass, Queen Victoria and Jamie’s fight against the sands of time themselves.
If you’re a fan of Brian Hayles work, 1960′s whimsy, the offbeat ness of The Mind Robber or The Celestial Toymaker or are simply looking for more unseen Troughton… This may be an essential purchase.
The Queen of Time will be released on October 31 and can be pre-ordered over at Big Finish’s Website
Starring: Frazer Hines (Jamie), Wendy Padbury (Zoe) and Caroline Faber (Hecuba)
Written By: Brian Hayles, adapted by Catherine Harvey
Director: Lisa Bowerman
Sound Design: Toby Hrycek-Robinson
Music: Toby Hrycek-Robinson
Cover Art: Alex Mallinson
Number of Discs: 2
Duration: 120′ approx
ISBN: 978-1-78178-096-1
Recorded Dates: 5 and 6 March 2012
Recorded At: The Moat Studios
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