The Stealers from Saiph (audio story)

The Stealers from Saiph was the twelfth and final story of the third series of The Companion Chronicles, produced by Big Finish Productions. It was written by Nigel Robinson, narrated by Mary Tamm and featured the Fourth Doctor and Romana I.

It was the first story produced by Big Finish which featured the character of Romana I during the time she travelled with the Fourth Doctor, though, due to the preceding Gallifrey series, it was not the Big Finish debut of either Romana I or Mary Tamm.

It is a unique entry in the Companion Chronicles series, as it uses only one actor.

Publisher's summary
It's 1929, and the TARDIS crew is holidaying in Antibes. While the Doctor practises his painting, Romana attempts to fend off the playful advances of young Tommy Creighton. All is peaceful and idyllic except for the portentous warning of astrologer Madame Arcana, and the fact that personal items are being stolen from the hotel's guests. What is the secret of the cave on the beach? And why do some of Romana's new acquaintances suddenly behave so strangely? As her newfound socialite existence suddenly takes a turn into danger, Romana finds that the whole planet Earth is faced with a deadly threat...

Plot
to be added

Cast

 * Romana - Mary Tamm

Worldbuilding

 * While in Antibes, Romana decides to study Terran fauna.
 * Madame Arcana drinks gin fizzes to excess.
 * According to the Doctor and Romana, there has been no unusual stellar activity in Earth's part of the galactic quadrant since the Great Comet of 1800. The comet appeared over Antibes in that year. The local peasants believed that it foretold of the end of the world.
 * Tommy Creighton is attracted to Romana but she is uninterested. Similarly, Madame Arcana is attracted to the Doctor. However, he tells Romana that she is "much too young for [him]."
 * Binky Blaine was reading a copy of Agatha Christie's latest novel but it was stolen from his room.
 * Lady Darlington's two brothers were killed in the Great War.
 * Romana is invited to Charleston by Tommy but she declines.
 * Professor Henri Chevalier's father and grandfather both made significant archaeological discoveries in the Mediterranean.
 * The Doctor refers to F. Scott Fitzgerald.
 * Romana compares the Mediterranean Sea to the Tertiary Tranquility of Kandalinga.

Continuity

 * Romana states that she is still working on her dissertation about the Doctor. (TV: The Ribos Operation)
 * The Doctor and Romana are in 1929. (AUDIO: The Auntie Matter)
 * Romana refers to Kandalinga. (PROSE: The Fishmen of Kandalinga)