The Kingmaker (audio drama)

This is a historical serial in four episodes, concerning the murder by King Richard III of the Princes in the Tower, set mainly in the year 1485. The Doctor is investigating the death of the Princes because it is a genuine historical mystery. He visits Shakespeare, in the 16th century, to learn as much background as he can from the author of the most famous play based on the life of Richard III, before taking the more dangerous step of a landing in 1485.

Starring Peter Davison, The Kingmaker is written by professional scriptwriter Nev Fountain, best known as writer of the radio comedy series Dead Ringers for BBC Radio 4. Moreover one of the principal guest stars in this story is the Dead Ringers actor: impressionist Jon Culshaw.

The script has some elements which spoof The Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy (there is a robot which evokes memories of Marvin, the Paranoid Android); it has William Shakespeare (complete with a humorous, but authentic, cod-Birmingham accent); and it has King Richard iii(both the character in Shakespeare's play, and the actual king in 1485). It also has Jon Culshaw doing, at one point, his famous impression of Tom Baker as the 4th Doctor. Culshaw also gives a performance as King Richard's brother in law, Earl Rivers.

The serial spirals backwards and forwards through time, in one of the most complex time-travel plots in Doctor Who. The story was conceived and executed on a grand scale, hurtling back and forth across the centuries, meeting gigantic historical figures in authentic settings, with a script that is reminiscent of Douglas Adams. This story bears resemblance to City of Death.

• The Doctor — Peter Davison
• Peri — Nicola Bryant
• Erimem — Caroline Morris
• Richard, Duke of Gloucester/Richard III — Stephen Beckett
• Earl Rivers/Voice of the Fourth Doctor — Jon Culshaw
• Mr Seyton — Michael Fenton Stevens
• Henry, Duke of Buckingham — Marcus Hutton
• Judith — Linzi Matthews
• Sir James Tyrell — Chris Neill
• Clarrie — Arthur Smith
• Susan — Katie Wimpenny

• Jon Culshaw does his famous Tom Baker impression when the Fifth Doctor listens to the Fourth Doctor's dictated notes for the incomplete (and fictional) work "Doctor Who Discovers Historical Mysteries".[1]
• This audio drama features the appearance of a new series Doctor as, in a way, the Ninth Doctor is part of the plot.

Matt Michael, reviewing the audio for Doctor Who Magazine, criticised it strongly, calling it "over-engineered and overlong", and saying that it "can't make its mind up whether it wants to be comedy or tragedy, and ends up doing neither very well."[1]

• Big Finish Productions – The Kingmaker