The Paradise of Death (audio story)

The Paradise of Death
Novelised as:	The Paradise of Death
Doctor:	Third Doctor
Companion(s):	Sarah, the Brig, Jeremy
Main enemy:	Freeth, Tragan
Main setting:	London, 1970s, Parakon
Key crew
Writer:	Barry Letts
Director:	Phil Clarke
Release details
Premiere broadcast:	27 August - 24 September 1993
Premiere network:	BBC Radio
Format:	5x30-minute episodes
ISBN:	ISBN 0-563-55323-5
BBC Radio Dramas
← Previous	none
Next →	The Ghosts of N-Space

The Paradise of Death was a BBC Radio drama first broadcast in 1993. It was the second audio drama made since Slipback in 1985, and the first audio drama to feature Jon Pertwee as the Third Doctor. This made him the earliest actor to portray the Doctor that also lent his voice to an audio serial. However, he would only perform one more audio story in his lifetime.

Publisher's summary

When a horrific and inexplicable death occurs at Space World, a new theme park on Hampstead Heath, UNIT is called in to investigate. The Doctor is highly suspicious. Just who controls the Parakon Corporation, the shadowy organisation behind the running of the park? What is "Experienced Reality" and what are the limits of its awesome powers?

Plot

to be added

Cast

• Third Doctor - Jon Pertwee
• Sarah Jane Smith - Elisabeth Sladen
• Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart - Nicholas Courtney
• Freeth - Harold Innocent
• Tragan - Peter Miles
• President - Maurice Denham
• Jeremy Fitzoliver - Richard Pearce
• Crestin / Bill / Radio Voice / Ambulance Man / Man - Andrew Wincott
• Nobby / Kitson / Wilkins / Soldier - Dominic Letts
• Grebber / Reporter - Brian Hall
• Clorinda / Sec. Gen. of the U.N. - Jillie Meers
• General Commanding Unit - John Hardwood
• Odun / Patrol Leader - John Fleming
• Captain Waldo Rudley - Jonathan Tafler
• Onya - Jane Slavin
• Greckle - Emma Myant
• Rasco Heldal - Michael Onslow
• Medan / Hunter - David Holt
• Echolocation Operator / Lexhan - Julian Rhind-Tutt
• Kaido / Guard 2 / Ungar / Custodian of Data Store / Jenhegger - Trevor Martin
• Yallett / Officer of the Day - Philip Anthony

References

The Doctor

• The Doctor used to ride skimmers on Gallifrey during his childhood with his friends, which are likened to bicycles.

Notes

Novelisation cover

• This story puts a different spin on the opening moments of the television story Invasion of the Dinosaurs. Television viewers may have thought the opening moments of Dinosaurs directly followed the closing scene of The Time Warrior. This story suggests otherwise, depicting the first meeting of the Brigadier and Sarah Jane Smith.
• A novelisation by Barry Letts was published in 1994. It was the final release in the long-running Target Books novelisation series.

Releases

• This story was originally broadcast on BBC Radio 5 in 1993.
• It was released on double cassette in September 1993.
• It was released on CD on 6 March 2000.
• It was re-released as part of The BBC Radio Episodes box set on 6 June 2011.
• It is now available for sale as a download on iTunes.

Continuity

• The Doctor mentions the instance the TARDIS got stuck inside The Master's TARDIS and was on the verge of a time ram. (TV: The Time Monster)
• The Doctor speaks of his and Sarah's recent encounter with Irongron. (TV: The Time Warrior)
• The Brigadier asks the Doctor about the Blinovitch Limitation Effect. (TV: Day of the Daleks)
• The Doctor sings a Venusian lullaby with less success than he had with Aggedor. (TV: The Curse of Peladon)

External links

• The Paradise of Death at the Doctor Who Reference Guide
• DisContinuity for The Paradise of Death at Tetrapyriarbus - The DisContinuity Guide