Brief Summary
This episode of The Sirens of Audio celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Sarah Jane Smith audio series by Big Finish. The hosts share their personal memories of Elizabeth Sladen and the series, and interview key figures involved in the production, including Gary Russell, Jess Fielder, David Bishop, and Peter Anghelides, along with archive footage of Sadie Miller. They explore the origins of the series, the creative process behind the stories, and the impact of Elizabeth Sladen's portrayal of Sarah Jane Smith.
- The Sarah Jane Smith audio series was a significant early spin-off for Big Finish, allowing the character to develop independently of the Doctor.
- Elizabeth Sladen was deeply protective of Sarah Jane, ensuring the character remained true to her established traits.
- The series experimented with various genres and themes, from spooky mysteries to action-packed thrillers, showcasing the versatility of the character.
Introduction
The hosts, Dwayne and Philip, introduce the episode as a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Sarah Jane Smith audio series by Big Finish. Philip expresses his excitement for the series, highlighting Elizabeth Sladen's special place in his heart and the unexpected scale of the tribute. The episode will feature interviews with key people involved in the production, including Gary Russell, Jess Fielder, David Bishop, and Peter Anghelides, as well as archive footage of Sadie Miller. Listeners are encouraged to purchase the series as a box set download from Big Finish, currently available at a discounted price.
Personal Memories and Initial Excitement
Philip shares his memories of the Sarah Jane Smith series when it first came out, noting it was a significant branch away for Big Finish. He explains that due to Tom Baker's unavailability, there were no plans to feature companions without their doctors, making the Sarah Jane series particularly exciting. Dwayne recalls listening to the series with his daughter on a road trip, appreciating the more adult themes compared to the television series. Philip recounts meeting Elizabeth Sladen at a convention in Newcastle, emphasizing the special evening they spent together.
Comeback: Synopsis and Trivia
Dwayne provides a brief rundown of the first episode, "Comeback," written by Terence Dicks. The blurb describes Sarah Jane Smith living under false names, pursued by unknown enemies, and seeking answers in the village of Cloots Coombe. Philip shares trivia about the story, including the recording date, cast, director, and the fact that it was the last story recorded but the first released. He mentions Sadie Miller's involvement and David Jackson's role, noting it was his only Big Finish appearance. Juliet Warner re-recorded scenes due to changes in her character. Dwayne praises the writing and David Jackson's performance as the villain.
Gary Russell Interview: Origins of the Series
Gary Russell discusses how the Sarah Jane Smith series came about, stating it was his idea to do a spin-off. He recalls working with Elizabeth Sladen on the Benny's series and her initial reluctance to play Sarah Jane again. Russell pitched the idea of a four-part series where Sarah Jane is an investigative journalist doing spooky, X-Files-like investigations. After some convincing, Sladen agreed, emphasizing her protectiveness of the character and her input on what Sarah Jane would and wouldn't do. Russell mentions creating a main character for Sadie Miller, which initially made Sladen think he might replace her with her daughter.
The Dao Connection: Synopsis and Trivia
Dwayne introduces the second story, "The Dao Connection," written by Barry Letts. The blurb describes Sarah Jane investigating the death of an old man and the kidnapping of homeless teenagers, linking it to a retreat hosting the Huangti clinic. Philip shares trivia, noting Barry Letts's role as producer of Doctor Who and the change from a Voodoo storyline to Taoism due to concerns about causing offense. He mentions Sarah using Venusian Aikido and the reference to Department C19. Dwayne finds the story strange but well-written, praising David Jackson's Northern performance and the developing relationship between Sarah Jane and Josh.
Jess Fielder Interview: Becoming Josh Townsend
Jess Fielder discusses his stage name and how he got involved with Big Finish. He recounts meeting Nick Briggs in a pub and being offered a role in an audio drama. Fielder shares his limited knowledge of Doctor Who, mentioning his fondness for Tom Baker. He describes being approached by Gary Russell to play Josh Townsend, Sarah Jane's companion, and how the character was based on aspects of his own life. Fielder recalls meeting Elizabeth Sladen at a Big Finish party and their instant connection, highlighting her wicked sense of humor.
Test of Nerve: Synopsis and Trivia
Dwayne introduces the third story, "Test of Nerve," written by David Bishop. The blurb describes Sarah Jane receiving a mysterious gift warning of a terrorist attack on the London Underground. Philip shares trivia, noting it was the last script commissioned but the first recorded, and the character of Sam Jones was changed due to being too much baggage. He mentions Roy Skelton's role and Gary Russell adding the character of Harris to the first story. Dwayne notes the story's relevance to the time of its release, dealing with a terrorist attack in a world still reeling from 9/11.
David Bishop Interview: Writing for Sarah Jane
David Bishop discusses how he came to write for Sarah Jane Smith, mentioning rumors of standalone audios and reaching out to Gary Russell. He recalls being sent a tape of Elizabeth Sladen discussing the character and being invited to pitch a story. Bishop pitched "Test of Nerve," which was chosen by both Sladen and Russell. He explains the story stemmed from research he had done for a potential espionage thriller series. Bishop mentions Sladen's availability meant he had to write the script quickly and her less enthusiastic about certain elements of the original plot line.
Ghost Town: Synopsis and Trivia
Dwayne introduces the fourth story, "Ghost Town," written by Rupert Lyddon. The blurb describes Sarah and Josh vacationing in a remote Romanian village, where they encounter terrifying apparitions and a top-secret international peace conference. Philip shares trivia, noting it's the only Big Finish script written by Rupert Lyddon and that Elizabeth Sladen's real-life husband, Brian Miller, acts in the play. Dwayne notes the story's departure from the others, entering a world of ghosts and horror, and praises Brian Miller's performance.
Sadie Miller Archive Footage: Joining the Series
Archive footage of Sadie Miller is played, where she discusses how she became involved with Big Finish through her mother, Elizabeth Sladen. She recalls being in her late teens and attending university and drama school. Miller mentions her mother's death while she was at drama school and stepping away from acting for a time. She discusses the character of Natalie Redfern, noting Gary Russell's supportive direction and finding a connection to the character. Miller acknowledges the series' connection to "K-9 and Company" and the involvement of writers like Terence Dicks and Barry Letts.
Mirror Signal Manoeuvre: Synopsis and Trivia
Dwayne introduces the fifth and final story, "Mirror Signal Manoeuvre," written by Peter Anghelides. The blurb describes Sarah investigating a bio-warfare scandal on a remote island in the Indian Ocean. Philip shares trivia, noting Patricia Maynard's return as Hilda Winters and the allusion to K-9. He mentions the two covers designed for the release to keep Hilda's return a secret. Dwayne expresses his excitement about the return of Hilda Winters and the international scale of the story.
Peter Anghelides Interview: Crafting the Finale
Peter Anghelides discusses how he was asked to write for Sarah Jane Smith after meeting Elizabeth Sladen at a convention. He recalls Gary Russell's overall vision for the series and the plan to include Hilda Winters as the villain. Anghelides mentions arguments with Sladen about sacrificing Sarah Jane's integrity for the script, leading to rewrites. He praises Sladen's performance and the fun they had in the studio. Anghelides explains his decision not to do a second series, feeling he had told the stories he wanted to tell with Sarah Jane Smith.
Gary Russell Reflects: Series Themes and Casting
Gary Russell discusses the series' conspiracy-driven nature and his desire to create a sense of unease for Sarah Jane. He explains the decision to bring back Hilda Winters, praising Patricia Maynard's talent and the excitement of working with her again. Russell mentions the influence of "The Avengers," "Twin Peaks," and Doctor Who on the series. He praises Jess Fielder's performance and the family dynamic between Sladen, Fielder, and Miller. Russell reflects on the fun they had making the series and the high quality of the guest actors.
David Bishop on Character Choices and 9/11
David Bishop discusses the characterization of Natalie, ensuring she had agency and wasn't just a damsel in distress. He explains the thumbnail sketches he was given for Josh and Natalie, and how his script defined those characters for others to use. Bishop recalls creating Mr. Harris and the decision to make Sarah choose between saving Natalie or saving London. He addresses the sensitivities around writing about terrorism so soon after 9/11, noting the need to be careful and sensitive to the consequences of telling such stories.
David Bishop on Sarah Jane's Voice and Story Revisions
David Bishop discusses finding Sarah Jane Smith's voice, drawing on his knowledge of the character and the tape provided by Elizabeth Sladen. He mentions Gary Russell's dialogue polish to make the script more propulsive and active. Bishop recalls pitching for story three but revisiting his pitch after seeing David's script. He explains the decision to set the story in the Indian Ocean and his lack of knowledge about the pronunciation of place names. Bishop remembers the recording session and the actors' contributions to the story.
Peter Anghelides on Island Setting and Sound Design
Peter Anghelides discusses his choice of setting for "Mirror Signal Manoeuvre," wanting to put distance between Sarah and her support network. He mentions his honeymoon in the Seychelles and wanting to explore other islands in the Indian Ocean. Anghelides praises the sound design, mentioning his instructions to include the fitful cry of a fruit bat. He discusses his ideas for connecting scenes through sound, such as tapping on a keyboard merging into a train scene.
Peter Anghelides on Cast and Character Dynamics
Peter Anghelides expresses his pleasure at working with Peter Miles and the surprise of seeing him at the studio. He recalls Elizabeth Sladen's waspishness about certain lines of dialogue and the impact it had on Sadie Miller. Anghelides mentions the family dynamic on set, with Sladen, Miller, and Fielder forming a close bond. He discusses the unusual experience of having a script checked by the lead actors and the changes he made to the story based on their feedback.
Gary Russell on Casting Choices and Character Development
Gary Russell discusses the casting of Natalie, wanting to provide representation for disabled people. He expresses his disappointment at not casting enough people of color during his time at Big Finish. Russell explains the decision to have Natalie in a wheelchair and his desire to give her a dramatic arc. He recalls the online pressure to include Sam Jones and Elizabeth Sladen's opposition to the idea. Russell praises Jess Fielder's voice and his ability to lift the mood in the studio.
Gary Russell on Liz Sladen's Dedication and Series Legacy
Gary Russell emphasizes Elizabeth Sladen's dedication to the project and her forensic understanding of the character. He notes her ability to ask insightful questions and tie up loose ends in the script. Russell praises Sladen's performance and her commitment to making the series right. He discusses the decision to have Josh kill someone in the final part of the first season, seeing it as a bold and exciting choice. Russell reflects on the series' legacy and his decision not to do a second season.
Conclusion and Farewell
The hosts thank everyone who participated in the episode and reflect on the 20th anniversary of the Sarah Jane Smith series. Philip notes the timeless quality of the stories and encourages listeners to purchase the collection from Big Finish. Dwayne and Philip bid farewell to their listeners, promising to return with more episodes in the future. The episode concludes with the closing theme for Sarah Jane Smith.
