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The Doctor, Nick
and Rob arrive on Earth in early 2007, at the Mundy Film Studios.
The Doctor has taken Nick on a surprise visit to the set of Clear
Waters, Nick's favourite soap opera, famed for its wobbly walls and
outlandish plots.
When they arrive they find all is not well on set. The soap been
placed under new management, popular characters are being axed,
celebrities are making guest cameos and the plots are becoming even
more far-fetched in pursuit of ever higher ratings. Just who is
behind these dramatic and outlandish new storylines? What big
surprises are in store at this year's TV Gold Soap Awards? And what
lies on the mysterious top floor of the Clear Waters studios?
The Doctor, Nick and Rob find themselves in danger far more dramatic
than even the imaginative writers of "Clear Waters" could conjure
up.
Pre-Production
Following Planet Skaro Audios first play, "Echoes of the Protii", it
seemed logical to produce an audio sequel based on its novella
sequel, "Soap of Fatal Death". Simon Hart's story idea was based
around the studios of a TV Soap Opera.
Originally written in 2003, the novella on which the audio version
of Soap of Fatal Death was based was part of the "Doctor Who: The
Legacy" web site, edited by Andy Frankham. Si Hart recalled that his
early idea for the story involved "Aliens attempting to take over UK
by taking control of soap opera and beam hypnotic signal as a
helicopter crashes into lake".
Due to the need to find a role for Planet Skaro Audio's two
companions Rob and Nick, the adaptation gave rather less of a role
to the character of Daniel Nelson than in the original story. Much
of the material originally given to the "Legacy" version's companion
Ruby was given to Rob, although Nick inherited her love of Clear
Waters.
The script was developed over the summer of 2005, and was recorded
on Saturday 27th January 2006. The long wait between "Echoes of the
Protii" and this story was partly due to the great effort involved
in producing the first story and because, by the time the script had
been prepared, a further delay was caused by the Christmas/December
period, when it would have been difficult assembling the cast for
recording.
"Soap" differs from its predecessor in featuring many "fictional"
sequences from the "Clear Waters" soap opera - most of the cast are
not only playing their characters in the soap, but also the actors
that play them, making it essentially a fictional story inside a
fictional story, and including many scenes from the soap itself. Si
Hart admitted at the time, "It took me a little while to really get
into writing these little cutaways. I think part of the problem was
that I tackled one of them first, rather than part of the actual
story and it took me a little while to really go for it with the
spoofing. By the time we get to the ones heard at the end of episode
2 I’d really hit my stride and was having great fun with the
characters. There’s some definite referencing of a favourite soap
moment of my own in there, and it’s all the better for it. I wonder
if anyone will spot it…”
Production
As with "Echoes of the Protii", cameos were sought from various
members of the Planet Skaro Doctor Who forum unable to turn up to
play major roles. In addition, there were two main recording
sessions enabling a greater flexibility in recording. The second
session was the first held in Bracknell, and the stand alone
adventure "Keepsake" was recorded at the same time, using many of
the same cast. Si Hunt sought to surprise the rest of the cast and
persauded cabaret singer Lorraine Bowen to record a special cameo
appearance. Bowen was only too willing, and offered to sing her
popular "Crumble" song in its entirety, not just the small verse
that was required.
A small clip of the
fictional "Clear Waters" had been heard in "Echoes of the Protii",
but the featured characters (Ethan Fox and Auntie Rosie) were recast
for this story, with actors that were more readily available.
The story came in massively overlength, and unreleased extended
versions of eight scenes exist in the archives. Because of the
degree of editing required, and the feeling that the concept was
overly ambitious for what the team could achieve, this story is no
longer available to download pending a possible 'special edition' at
a future date.
The cover image for the CD was recorded in the same location used
for "Echoes of the Protii", though this time the landscape is more
clearly visible.
Missing Scene
The following cameo was scripted but ultimately unrecorded, and
would have seen the return of characters Scott and Vera from "Echoes
of the Protii":
SCENE 24:
Cameo Scene, Theatre Foyer.
(SCOTT, VERA)
VERA: Oh Scott, this is ever so exciting! I’ve not been to such
a glitzy occasion since my last wedding!
SCOTT: Just remember Nan, you’re not to show me up! I want to
get backstage and meet that rather delicious new actor they’ve
brought in to the show!
VERA: Oh, don’t mind your old Nan! You go off hunting for your
signed photos! I’m sure this new idol of yours will give you
something to remember him by before we go!
SCOTT (slyly): That’s what I’m hoping…
VERA: I’d rather like to meet that Lionel Langton as well!
SCOTT: Don’t be daft Nan! Uncle Barney was killed off in “Clear
Waters” Episode four hundred and sixty three – “Where The Wild
Rosie Goes”. You must remember!
VERA: Oh no dear, he’s coming back! My friend Beryl told me! We
mustn’t miss tomorrow’s episode to find out how those clever
writers manage to bring him back!
SCOTT: But that’s brilliant!
VERA: Oh I know dear! Those writers will do anything for ratings
these days! It’s almost like their lives depend on it! OOOOOH!
(she screeches, like she’s just sat on some ice)
SCOTT: What is it Nan?!
VERA: I think Lionel Langton is over there now! And just when
I’d put on a clean pair of knick-knacks! Come on dear, we MUST
get a closer look!
Listener
Response
"The plot is terrific (it keep me hooked all the way through). The
script is brilliant too - especially the funny moments (loved the
various 'in jokes' and - the reworking of Protii's "Lot's of Cher I
see" cracked me up)! Also the various scenes in the soap that were
going on in the background when other things were going on were
hilarious - I went back several times to listen out to all the
things going on in the background."
(Andrew Clancy)
"The sheer 'wackiness' of a lot of the story made it very appealing,
the soap setting works very well and was a great parody on those
really over the top stylee soaps, which are, of course, the best
soaps! Excellent performances all round too, with Mr Monks Doctor
ever remaining the island of tranquillity in a sea of chaos. I also
enjoy the darker moments he gets too, like the conversation with my
character, where he suddenly ominously says 'Better him than
something else...'. "
(Martin Penny)
"All in all, an excellent story, and (not dissing the earlier story
by any means) a huge leap forward from last year's "Echoes of the
Protii" in terms of the mechanics of the production. I really do
feel as if I've been at a huge auditorium hosting the Soap Awards,
and in an echoey, sinister studio, and into a large otherworldy
dimension. Well done to all concerned!"
(Andrew Curnow)
Trivia
Clear Waters had previously been mentioned in Echoes of the Protii.
It is Nick's favourite soap opera.
The story ends on a massive cliffhanger (later resolved in Magical
History Tour) in which the TARDIS and the Doctor are apparently
blown up. The marooning of Rob on present day Earth also sets up
"Keepsake".
This story also features flashbacks to Echoes of the Protii and to
various unseen adventures, one featuring a Cyberman plot to take
over the world by controlling the world's supply of yeast, and
another featuring the Ice Warriors on Kastria with Harold and Hilda
from Echoes of the Protii. The final flash-forward is a scene that
is later heard in the final episode of Magical History Tour which
hadn't actually been written when this story was recorded.
"Soap of Fatal Death" came 3rd out of 5 stories in an on-line poll
of the retrospectively termed "Season 1" stories conducted in 2008.
Existing Material
None of the original raw recordings are known to exist.
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Episodes
(right click to download or left click to play)
Episode 1 (24.46)
Episode 2 (23.55)
Episode 3 (22.06)
Episode 4 (24.18)
CD Extras (right click to download or left click to play)
The trailer for the
story was included on the second disc.
Click for PS Audios podcast RSS feed
Originally released
Saturday 31st March 2007
Cast List and
Production Credits
Doctor Who: Paul Monk
Nick: David Tudor
Rob: Steve Alexander
June River/ Aunty Rosie: Kathy Riedtmann
Daniel Nelson/ Ethan Fox: Simon Hart
Virginia Purseglove/ Lucky Fox: Trudi Gard
Charlie: Tim Hawtin
Ant: Anthony Williams
Clear Waters Superfan: Si Hunt
The Exec: Jonno Simmons / Dave Taylor
Darryl French/ Rufus Sugar: Pip Madeley
Lionel Langton/ Uncle Barney: Wayne Jefferies
Doctor Santos: David Barnes
Roddy Stevens: Martin Penny
Jerry Diamond: Dave Lewis
Awards Announcer/ Barman: Andrew Clancy
Stage Manager/ Chauffeur: Alex Finch
Surgeon: Dave Taylor
Reporters: Jonno Simmons / Antony Cox
Mr Bristow: Andrew Curnow
Mrs Bristow: Gisela Curnow
Sally Bristow: Claudia Curnow
Written by: Si Hunt and Simon Hart
Produced by: Si Hunt
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