Big Finish Productions have a bumper crop of upcoming productions based on classic Anderson productions, including another chance to grab two rare and out of print audio adventures!
The SHADO team battle personal demons, menacing aliens and time itself in a brand new UFO box set of outer space full–cast audio adventures, released this week by Big Finish Productions. Originally broadcast in 1970, Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s sci–fi ITV series followed the missions of SHADO (Supreme Headquarters Alien Defence Organisation) set in the then–futuristic year of 1980. A new audio reimagining of the series from Big Finish debuted in August 2022. UFO: Breaking Point, the latest volume, stars Barnaby Kay as Commander Ed Straker (originally played by the late Ed Bishop), alongside Jeany Spark (as Lieutenant–Colonel Virginia Lake).
New recruits. New technology. New threats. SHADO is nearly fully operational, but the alien menace is intensifying at a greater rate than the fledgling organisation can cope with. Under ever–increasing pressures, Straker is repeatedly put to the test. Facing unimaginable weaponry, warring factions, and near–insurmountable personal strain – can the man leading the fight to defend Earth survive?
UFO: Breaking Point is now available to own as a collector’s edition CD box set (+ download for just £19.99) or a digital download only (for just £16.99).
The three adventures, all written by Nicholas Briggs and Jamie Anderson, are as follows:
Lost in Action
An unexpected confrontation at 30,000 feet leads to a civilian casualty. With no other options, Straker must recruit this stubborn but brave pilot to join SHADO. Meanwhile, Straker’s team
orders the early activation of Moonbase – without his consent. It’s just in time. Now, the nascent organisation is being put to the ultimate test, and SHADO’s latest recruit will have put his life on the line.
Assassination Time
In the wake of loss, SHADO’s problems are brought into sharp focus by a series of unexpected and inexplicable events. A new threat from the aliens emerges – one that the organisation is ill–equipped to deal with. With few options left, Straker must follow his instincts and put SHADO’s survival in the hands of a traitor.
Breaking Point
SHADO faces a severe security breach, swiftly followed by the most intense and highly–coordinated alien threat it has ever seen. Straker now faces unimaginable pressures from every angle. The strain on him, and his organisation, reach impossible levels. Mistakes will be made. Lives will be lost. Could this be the end?
Barnaby Kay said: “There’s been a passage of time between the previous box set and this one. When we start in Lost in Action, things have moved on. There are many more characters and much more equipment. It’s really exciting and great to listen to. The whole box set is fab–we’ve had a fantastic time.”
Jeany Spark added: “It’s so good to be back with the SHADO team. What an absolutely dreamy bunch of cosmic heroes. It’s great fun to be having these enormous adventures through time and space alongside great actors. It’s a dream job.”
The talented ensemble cast also features Samuel Clemens (as Colonel Alec Freeman), Lynsey Murrell (as Lieutenant Gay Ellis), George Naylor (as Johnnie Straker), Hywel Morgan (as Paul Foster), Charlotte Harris (as Mary Straker), Wayne Forester (as SID) and Nicholas Briggs (as Dr Schroeder). Big Finish listeners can save money by pre–ordering both volumes of UFO together in a bundle for just £38 (collector’s edition CD box set + download) or £33 (download only).
Also now available to pre-order are a pair of rare audio dramas based on two beloved Gerry Anderson TV shows, set for general release in March and April 2023 from Big Finish Productions!
Originally launched in 1962, Fireball XL5 was created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson and chronicled the interplanetary missions of the World Space Patrol crew policing Sector 25 of the galaxy in the year 2062. Stingray, which aired from 1964 to 1965, followed the exploits of the World Aquanaut Security Patrol (WASP) protecting the Earth’s oceans in the 2060s! In these two full-cast audio adventures, previously only available on CD as Blu-ray box set extras, each squad faces a bigger threat than ever before…
For the first time, Fireball XL5: Cloud Of A Billion Lights and Stingray: Terror Fake (which both star the superb voice artist Marc Silk) are each available to pre-order as a stand-alone
download (for just £7.99 per title).
The two retro-futuristic stories are as follows:
Fireball XL5: Cloud of a Billion Lights by Nicholas Briggs, due for release on 31 March 2023
Fresh from rescuing ruler Teng-Dit and the people of planet Zed-Nought from a fiery death, the crew of Fireball XL5 tackle a mysterious, uncharted sparkling cloud in space. Colonel Steve Zodiac, Dr. Venus, Professor Matt Matic and Robert the Robot have a real fight on their hands as billions of alien creatures seek to take them over and conquer the Earth.
The talented cast features Marc Silk (as Colonel Steve Zodiac), Genevieve Gaunt (as Dr Venus), Nicholas Briggs (as Professor Matthew Matt Matic) and Jamie Anderson (as Robert the Robot). Jamie Anderson, Managing Director of Anderson Entertainment, said: “Originally produced for the 60th anniversary Blu-ray set, this mini-album style story allowed us to bring together a new cast to create an authentic-sounding XL5 adventure. For me, it was an extra special experience because I was able to take on the role my late father, Gerry Anderson, played. It was a really lovely thing to do, and I think the story that Nick has delivered feels like something straight out of the 1960s. Full power!”
Stingray: Terror Fake by Nicholas Briggs, due for release on 14 April 2023 (Gerry Anderson Day)
The World Aquanaut Security Patrol is facing one of its most important and challenging missions to date – a visit from finance director Taylor! But before they can deal with their accountancy assignment, Troy, Phones and Marina will have to contend with Titan and Surface Agent X20’s latest attempt to destroy Marineville using high-tech sub-aquatic skulduggery!
Starring in this adventure is Marc Silk (Captain Troy Tempest) alongside Wayne Forester (as Lieutenant Phones), Jules de Jongh (as Atlanta Shore), Nicholas Briggs (as Commander Samuel Shore), and Ben Page (as Aquaphibians).
Jamie Anderson added: “Stingray was another great opportunity to bring back the mini-album format with our established cast. Nick came up with a super story – very 1964 – and even worked in a little tribute to John Taylor who sadly passed away during production. John, together with his wife Jean, were instrumental in creating the wonderful soundscapes you hear in Stingray, so finance director Taylor is our tribute to John. P.W.O.R.”
Fireball XL5: Cloud Of A Billion Lights and Stingray: Terror Fake are now available to pre-order for just £7.99 per title (on digital download).
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