The Sarah Jane Adventures: The Time Capsule CD review

There’s a well known saying that if Al Pacino were to read a phonebook that it would still make great viewing. Similarly, if Elisabath Sladen took the time to read the menu of my local Indian restaurant, I would be in aural heaven.

Thankfully, Lizzy S is not reading a menu but, in fact, a most entertaining new tale from a well versed author in the Doctor Who triumvirate (having written audios for Who and Torchwoood), Peter Anghelides.

The story, clocking in at just over an hour, sees the familiar juxtaposition of the mundane and the fantastical. Here we see an alien force kick off in a supermarket and then take form from household objects. The set pieces of this story, taking place in a shop and a museum, prove to be top fun and would be well placed within The Sarah Jane Adventures onscreen.

Sladen’s friendly tone, all in the first person, is most engaging and her impersonation of Clyde will raise a smile and her Mrs Chandra will have you hooting. There’s a real sense of immediacy as Sarah Jane recalls the antics of her gang along with memories of her time with The Doctor.

This production is perfectly pitched for the age group that the television show is aimed at and the amiable price makes this a top choice for the stocking at Christmas. As for us adults, it makes pleasant, if disposable, listening. You will find that some scenes go on a bit too long and some are perhaps a bit too domestic (it’s almost like a shopping list in the supermarket scenes), but the sultry tones of Sarah Jane and the entertaining writing will make you forget that soon enough.

Written by Peter Anghelides and read by Elisabeth Sladen

The Time Capsule is out now.