Live 34

The Doctor plays politics in this incredibly interesting audio play. Live 34 is interesting as it is recorded and acted as a series of Live news reports. Live 34 being the live, mostly impartial radio station of Colony 34. A colony under the tyrannical thumb of a fascist government that makes Adam Susan's look relatively sound.

Naturally as we follow these broadcasts we get an idea of some of the insanity that this colony is going through. A power shortage, disappearances, rumours of monsters and acts of terrorism are all the background of the colony. This builds a rather vivid image, and also helps to flesh out the story. Combined with the news report style, this also gives an almost peculiar sensation of realism, not often associated with Doctor Who. It is an interesting change from the normal, and works well.

The story features the Doctor and his assistants Ace and Hex. The placement and use of these characters is also different from the norm. As the story is all live news report, from the same radio station, the narrative does not follow the Doctor or his companions. The realistic nature of the audio drama very neatly places you in a position where you can truly feel involved. Or at least to the extent that you begin to feel what very well could be the emotions of characters in the presences of the Doctor. For the most part this is because the narrative style of this drama does not allow you to follow and work it out before the end. Instead you are left in the dark as if you were a resident of Colony 34.

Overall it is defiantly worth a listen. Some elements are darker than you may normally expect, but otherwise it makes of a truly fascinating Dr. Who tale.