Manufacturer: BBC Audio / AudioGO
RRP: £13.99
Release Date: 22nd November 2010
Reviewed by: Doctor Who Online
Review Posted: 16th January 2011
Doctor Who: The Essential Companion, could be considered as somewhat of an experiment, as New Series Audiobooks go, but it's most definitely an experiment that works, and one which will hopefully pave the way for future series of the show.
What we have here is a narrated retelling of the stories and events that occurred throughout Series 5 of Doctor Who combined with expositional sound clips from the show.
Alex Price, who portrayed the character of Francesco in the Series 5 story, The Vampires of Venice, provides the narration, and offers a warm and engaging link that knits the audiobook together quite seamlessly.
Spread out over two CD's and at a retail price of just £13.99, the product definitely lives up to its name as the essential companion. Disc One looks at Series 5 through to the end of The Vampires of Venice, and Disc Two neatly covers right through to the end of The Big Bang.
Even if you own the complete series 5 on DVD, this acts as a great accompaniment - and one that enables the listener to experience those 13 episodes in a brand new, and exciting way.
