Returning to the Classic Doctors New Monsters series can only mean the start of a new boxset. Kicking things off, despite not featuring in the opening set, is an instalment for the 4^th Doctor.

Landing in an abandoned intergalactic funfair, his NuWho foe is no stranger to spoiling all the fun of the fair. Hiding in the shadows are the Vashta Nerada, and they are very hungry.  

Funworld was set to be the happiest planet in the galaxy. A planet of joy, of euphoria, of laughter and delight. Except construction was marred by reports of a predator and then, a few days before opening, all communication ceased.

Owner Georgia Donnelly is desperate to open the resort and has hired Amanda Steele’s crew to find out what happened on the planet. They’re the best. But even they might not be up to the task.

Joined by the Doctor and being picked off one by one, they slowly start to realise that something terrifying lurks in the shadows.

Big Finish Synopsis

Night of the Vashta Nerada is another strong starter story from the CDNM series. With his first addition to the range, Dorney presents a simple, familiar story set with underpinnings of horror. Taking place in an abandoned funfair, it follows The Doctor and a team on a rescue mission, and as they explore, they are picked off one by one by the Vahsta Nerada.  

In many ways, this story mimics the successful blueprints created by Fallen Angels (which started the previous boxset) and, by extension, shares a lot of the same strengths. This story shines because of its familiarity with audiences and its ability to let the Vashta Nerada’s strengths from their original TV appearance do the talking, while only making minor adjustments. As a result, we get a story that’s easy to listen to and easy to engage with. Everything you need to know about these creatures is here, so there’s no need for any prerequisites.

Aside from its success with familiarity, what’s also apparent about this story is how well Dorney understands the 4^th Doctor’s character. From the outset, Tom is on fine form, and that’s partly due to the material he’s given. As soon as this version of The Doctor introduces himself to Steele’s team, he obstructs, interjects and ultimately sways them towards the gravity of the situation and how he’s the only one there who could stop it. Dorney’s writing strengths are also apparent elsewhere, especially in his descriptions of the Vashta Nerada, and I truly envy his seemingly natural ability to weave such a poetic tone so comprehensively.  

The only minor gripe with this adventure is that the character development of the team isn’t equal. While Phelan and Amanda get more complex characteristics, others, such as Donnelly, get little more than the one-note “unfeeling businessman” persona. This is an understandable issue, however, because there was never going to be enough time to reach everyone, since the adventure is only an hour long.