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Doctor Who: Mother Russia by Marc Platt
01/01/2008 . Source: Sue Davies 
CD. pub: Big Finish ISBN: 978-1-84435-183-1. 60 minute CD. Price: £ 8.99 (UK). Non UK £11.50) voices: Peter Purves and Tony Millan. Buy Doctor Who: Mother Russia in the USA - or Buy Doctor Who: Mother Russia in the UK  check out web sites www.BigFinish.com
This is part of the new series of 'Companion Chronicles' for Big Finish. In the absence of sadly departed Doctors, the former companions have been sought out to tell their own stories. This new series of four will include Jamie, the Brigadier and Leela but first we have Stephen Taylor, who travelled with the original Doctor as portrayed by William Hartnell.
Steven Taylor joined the Doctor after Barbara and Ian left. He was found on a jungle planet called Mechanus and stayed with the Doctor for only one year and then moved to a strange planet called 'Blue Peter' (which the British readers know as a well-loved kid's TV programme). Sadly, Steven has never made a return visit to the Doctor and this is a momentous occasion indeed. Now Steven, played again by Peter Purves, has been invited to reminisce about one of his adventures with the Doctor.
The story takes place on Earth in 1812. The Doctor manages to land in Russia shortly before Napoleon is to march to Moscow. The Doctor, Steven and their other travelling companion, Dodo, are taken in by the Russian peasants and royally treated. The local gentry take the Doctor on as tutor for their children and the happy friends spend an idyllic summer. Steven learns to fish and makes friends. Soon the summer's over, though, and as the harsh Russian winter approaches a mysterious light in the sky heralds change. Soon it is business as usual, as all three of them are running for their lives.
Peter Purves puts his heart and soul into this almost solo rendition of a moving tale. He also does a very creditable impersonation of William Hartnell's Doctor. In the CD extras, Peter talks fondly of the time he spent with the incorrigible gent. He also speaks regretfully of not being offered acting parts since the original Doctor Who adventures. It was not the curse of Doctor who typecasting but the children's presenter syndrome.
Overall, the story is not one of the best but the enthusiasm of the teller more than a little makes up for that.
Sue Davies
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