Starring Colin Baker, Eric Loren, Lysette Anthony, Leslie Philips & Maggie Stables
Written by Robert Ross
Directed by Barnaby Edwards
Ford's Theatre, Washington, Friday, 14th April, 1865. The assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
The place, the date and the event which made history. Or did it? Someone has been tampering with time, muddying the waters of history for his own purposes. Time itself is out of joint and the chief culprit is the enigmatic Doctor Knox.
Somehow the Doctor and Evelyn must put history back on track before the future dissolves into chaos. But Knox may be the least of their worries...
Assassin In The Limelight may have been four years in the waiting back in 2008, but considering that Medicinal Purposes isn't the most well appriciated release ever, it was probably worth the gestating time. And while Assassin In The Limelight won't be winning any awards or topping any favourite Doctor Who story lists, it is still a good listen that's worth a couple of hours to enjoy it. In fact, I'd say it has grown upon me since I first listened to, to the point where I'd called it a good story with a terrific cast and a strongly diverse bunch of characters.
Robert Ross' story has a much stronger focus than Medicinal Purposes (I can't say that much about Pier Pressure, since I haven't heard it), and it allows the characterisation to flourish. Medicinal Purposes moved all over the place, it's twisty plot started to move in different directions as it plowed on in it's final episode. However, this story has a much stronger focus, making sure that it's plot is coherent and strong. It definatly helps the story to feel like it wasn't just made up as Ross was going along. There are some really neat twists, especially the twist as to the real monster involved. Every element that makes up this story is carefully balanced to make it's twists all the more surprising. When you go back and listen to it again, you can hear all the little twists that make up the most intresting parts of the plot, especially considering that some of them are so subtle that you wouldn't notice. Actor slips and subtle uses of sound design make a relisten all the more worthy.
The cast of this one is really strong, especially Leslie Phillips as Knox. I have a feeling that a lot more of Phillips has been put into the role than was in Medicinal Purposes. Here, he's much more of a loveable rogue than a outright villain and that's much more intresting than they way he was played in Medicinal Purposes. The rest of the cast are also brilliant, especially there accents. Big Finish can sometimes slip up with accents (yes Minuet In Hell, I'm looking at you!), but in this story, these accents are excellently performed, with then all being realistic and distinct. You are always aware who is speaking, which, especially in the audio medium, can be of great assistance. However, there not comedy or cheesy either, which is of great value. Barnaby Edwards also makes sure that he gets his cast to perform in a way so the comedy of the piece shines through, but doesn't make the drama or tension any less involving. And final plaudits must go to Martin Montague, who creates a really involving world.
In fact, the only thing that's let this audio down is the admitly rushed ending. But that's one niggle in an audio that may not be the greatest thing in the world, but it's a good listen that may make you chuckle along the way.
TARDIS Rating - 7/10
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