Look Who's just dropped in on Capital

Published on Thursday 15 April 2004 01:00

TIME traveller Doctor Who has paid a visit to the Capital to tackle the infamous grave robbers Burke and Hare.

For his latest adventure, the Doctor is transported back to the 19th century, where he pursues the city’s most notorious residents.

The special episode, entitled Medicinal Purposes, has been recorded as part of a new audio drama collection.

Much of the action takes place in the Grassmarket and Greyfriars Churchyard, where Burke and Hare stole dead bodies to sell for medical experiments.

Actor Colin Baker, the sixth incarnation of the Time Lord, returns to the part he played between 1984 and 1986. He is joined by veteran Carry On star Leslie Phillips, who provides the voice for the villainous Dr Robert Knox.

The radio plays have proved a big hit with fans eager for more episodes of Doctor Who since the television series was axed in 1989.

Producer and director Gary Russell, of Big Finish Productions, was inspired to bring the colourful character to Edinburgh after his own recent visit.

"I came to the city last year and fell madly in love with the place," he said.

"I also took a tour of the underground vaults, which was very interesting, and I learned more about Burke and Hare and their activities.

"When I got back home I thought it would be a great setting for a Doctor Who. I spoke to one of our writers and he went up to Edinburgh to do some research in depth. When you are dealing with a real setting and historical characters, you want to make it as accurate as possible."

William Burke and William Hare began digging up the graves of the recently departed in 1827, selling the bodies to a doctor for use in anatomy demonstrations. The pair later started murdering residents in the Old Town, claiming 16 victims before their capture.

In the new story, the Doctor arrives in the Tardis with his female companion, Evelyn, in the midst of their rampage.

Despite the dramatising of real-life incidents, fans of the shows will be pleased to know it stays true to its sci-fi roots.

"The doctor has to find out who Burke and Hare are and who they are working for," added Mr Russell.

"It allowed us to bring in aliens and hints of the Roswell incident in the 1949, when a UFO apparently crash-landed in the United States."

Mr Russell said it was a challenge to bring to life the dark, misty streets of Edinburgh without the special effects from the TV show.

"We worked very hard to create the right atmosphere. Since we only have sound, you have to try and bring out the atmosphere of a graveyard without resorting to cliches like hooting owls," he said.

"The cast members really enjoy coming back as well. Colin Baker said the best thing about doing radio is that there are no costumes and sets to worry about."

The audio drama, which will be available to buy in the shops in August, was completed just as the BBC announced plans to bring back Doctor Who for a new series.

Cracker star Christopher Eccleston has been chosen to play the ninth doctor in a move which delighted its legions of devoted fans.

Mr Russell added: "It’s amazing. It’s never really gone away since the show ended in the 80s.

"With the new series coming next year, you would expect it to grow in popularity but it has always stayed that way. Everybody still loves it."