Terry nation’s Dalek auDio annual

released 6 december 112 minutes | cd/download

Publisher bbc Physical audio

Dalek creator Terry Nation repeatedly tried to launch a TV spin-off for his genocidal pepper pots at the height of their popularity in the mid-’60s. His ideas for Dalek stories outside of Doctor Who never reached the small screen, but Skaro’s finest lead epic and bizarre adventures in their own series of annuals. The prose stories from the 1976 and 1977 ones have now been brought to life in these readings by Who alumni, including Louise Jameson (Leela), Matthew Waterhouse (Adric), and voice of the Daleks Nicholas Briggs.

This unabridged audio annual stays true to its source material, as it transports listeners to a retro-inspired future where spaceships receive dire warnings via the use of magnetic tape. The bulk of the tracks follow the missions of the Anti-Dalek Force; in-between these tales are short explorations of Skaro, the Dalek timeline and information on the characters.

There’s a loveable absurdity to the collection, as it details the Daleks’ shrinking rays and their influence on Earth history. And the sound design is sure to please hardcore Dalek fans, lifting familiar laser effects and alarm bells to help tell the stories and keep the humour grounded. Fingers crossed that the 1978 and 1979 annuals get a similar treatment. Dom Carter