The Stuff of Legend – The Live Show
The recording of Big Finish Productions’ first ever onstage Doctor Who audio drama is now available to pre-order, and due for release December 2024.
On 14 and 15 September, Doctor Who fans were treated to a live performance of a brand-new story, The Stuff of Legend by Robert Valentine, onstage at London’s Cadogan Hall.
Leading the cast were Paul McGann as the Doctor and India Fisher as his original audio 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 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 has been captured on the official recordings of the performances, and this December, The Stuff of Legend – The Live Show will be available to own.
Doctor Who: The Stuff of Legend – The Live Show can now be pre-ordered as a collector’s edition double CD plus slipcase (+ download for just £15.99) or as a digital download only (for just £12.99), exclusively here.
Additionally, there are a number of limited-edition tiers, which come with The Stuff of Legend merchandise:
- Silver (limited to 450 copies): The Stuff of Legend – The Live Show on collector's edition CD, plus a T-shirt, for £40.99.
- Gold (limited to 100 copies): The Stuff of Legend – The Live Show on collector's edition CD, plus a T-shirt and a brochure, for £49.99.
- Platinum (limited to 100 copies): The Stuff of Legend – The Live Show on collector's edition CD, plus a T-shirt, brochure and tote bag, for £62.99.
Something is afoot in the lonely Cornish village of Merrymaid Bay. Rumours of dead men working in the tin mines have sent a chill through the community, and it's up to the Doctor and Charley to get to the bottom of the mystery.
Can the legends of the Bucca that haunts the mines be true? And just what awesome power do the Doctor’s greatest enemies – the Daleks! – threaten to unleash upon the universe?
The cast list also includes Carolyn Seymour as Old Emily and the Light Bucca, Nisha Nayar as Emily Barnfather, Jason Forbes as Captain Montgomerie Césaire, Barnaby Edwards as Jago Penrose and Foley, and Gabriel Clark as Jory, Robomen and the Dark Bucca.
Big Finish executive producer, and voice of the Daleks, Nicholas Briggs said: “There was a real electricity in the room during these performances. The reception we got was the sort of thing that could really go to your head – proper rock star welcomes! And then from the moment the shows started, the audience were riveted, picking up on every little nuance. It made the whole thing such a joy.
“I remember, as a teenager, being delighted with live recordings of Monty Python stage shows. There’s something really compelling about hearing a live performance, with audience reactions and performers pitching it up for a large, appreciative crowd. The enthusiasm in the auditorium somehow transmits through the recording, making you part of something joyous.
“I’ve had a listen to the live recordings of The Stuff of Legend, and that’s exactly what happens here. For those who attended, it’ll be a great way to relive the memories, and for those who couldn’t get to see the show onstage, this will capture so much of the atmosphere and sense of occasion.”
Director Barnaby Edwards added: “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!”
Praise for the live performances of The Stuff of Legend:
“There are Daleks, the Master, lots of jokes and plenty of thrills, chases, explosions and exterminations... I’m gripped from start to finish.” – Who Review “While it was doubtless fun to watch, the story works well as an audio drama in its own right. If you’re a fan of the Eighth Doctor and Charley’s exploits, or just a good, solid Doctor Who story, this one’s for you.” – Cultbox “Perfect to sum up all that is great and good about the show.” – Bleeding Cool
Doctor Who: The Stuff of Legend – The Live Show is now available to pre-order as a collector’s edition double CD plus slipcase (+ download for just £15.99) or as a digital download only (for just £12.99), exclusively here.
All the above prices include the special pre-order discount and are subject to change after general release.
Please note that Big Finish is currently operating a digital-first release schedule. The mail-out of collector’s edition CDs may be delayed due to factors beyond our control, but all purchases of this release unlock a digital copy that can be immediately downloaded or played on the Big Finish app from the release date.
-- So this presumably includes any audience reaction to the stage show, although, who knows. And then there are goodies to go with it - t-shirts, brochures (the programme, I assume?), and even a tote bag if you have the cash to spare.