The Paradise of Death

The Paradise of Death is a radio audio drama based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who, produced by the BBC and first broadcast in five episodes on BBC Radio 5 from 27 August to 24 September 1993. The original radio play was released on CD as part of the BBC Radio Collection in March 2000. A second radio play featuring the Third Doctor, The Ghosts of N-Space, was broadcast in 1996.

Synopsis

Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart asks the Doctor to investigate a new theme park called Space World. Together with Sarah Jane Smith and Jeremy Fitzoliver, they take in the incongruous exhibits, including virtual reality and even live alien creatures.

Cast

• The Doctor — Jon Pertwee
• Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart — Nicholas Courtney
• Sarah Jane Smith — Elisabeth Sladen
• Jeremy Fitzoliver — Richard Pearce
• Freeth — Harold Innocent
• Tragan — Peter Miles
• President — Maurice Denham
• Onya — Jane Slavin
• Grebber/Reporter — Brian Hall
• Clorinda/Sec Gen of the UN — Jillie Meers
• General Commanding Unit — John Hardwood
• Odun/Patrol Leader — John Fleming
• Captain Waldo Rudley — Jonathan Tafler
• Greckle — Emma Myant
• Rasco Heldal — Michael Onslow
• Medan/Hunter — David Holt
• Yallett/Officer of the day — Philip Anthony
• Crestin/Bill/Radio Voice/Ambulance Man/Man - Andrew Wincott
• Nobby/Kitson/Wilkins/Soldier - Dominic Letts
• Echolocation Operator/Lexhan - Julian Rhind-Tutt
• Kaido/Guard 2/Ungar/Custodian of Data Store/Jenhegger - Trevor Martin

Continuity

• The liner notes state that this adventure fits "seamlessly into television continuity between The Time Warrior and Invasion of the Dinosaurs". This play seems to feature the Doctor casually introducing Sarah Jane to the Brigadier (they were both in The Time Warrior, but never met).
• The Doctor tells Sarah about his visit to ancient Atlantis in The Time Monster.
• He also tries to soothe a creature with a Venusian Lullaby, as he did in The Curse of Peladon and The Monster of Peladon.
• Jeremy Fitzoliver returns in the next audio play The Ghosts of N-Space.

Cast and Crew Notes

• Writer Barry Letts was a long time writer, director and producer for Doctor Who, particularly during Jon Pertwee's years. He returned for another radio play, Jon Pertwee's last performance as the Doctor, The Ghosts of N-Space.
• Harold Innocent previously portrayed Gilbert M in the serial The Happiness Patrol, and died between the broadcasts of episodes 3 and 4 of this serial.*
• Peter Miles has portrayed several roles in Doctor Who, including Nyder in Genesis of the Daleks.
• Maurice Denham previously portrayed Azmael in the serial The Twin Dilemma.
• Dominic Letts is the son of scriptwriter Barry Letts.
• Trevor Martin previously portrayed a Time Lord in the serial The War Games and the Doctor himself in the stage play Doctor Who and the Daleks in the Seven Keys to Doomsday. He later reprised this role in Big Finish Productions audio adaptation The Seven Keys to Doomsday.

In print

The Paradise of Death

Author	Barry Letts
Series	Doctor Who book: Target novelisations
Release number	156
Publisher	Target Books
Publication date	1994
ISBN	0-426-20413-1
Preceded by	The Evil of the Daleks
Followed by	none

The Paradise of Death was novelised as part of the Target Books range by Barry Letts in 1994 (ISBN 0-426-20413-1); it was the 156th and final novelisation to be published by Target, ending a series of books that began in 1964 (and under the Target label since 1973). The following serial, The Ghosts of N-Space, would be novelised under the Virgin Missing Adventures series.

External links

• The Paradise of Death at the Doctor Who Reference Guide
• The Paradise of Death (audio) at The TARDIS Library
• The Cloister Library - The Paradise of Death

Reviews

• The Paradise of Death reviews at The Doctor Who Ratings Guide

Target novelisation

• The Paradise of Death reviews at Outpost Gallifrey
• The Paradise of Death (novel) at The TARDIS Library