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Critical Praise for The True History of Faction Paradox vol. 1: Coming to Dust
"The
Faction Paradox CDs have found an audience with those who like their
fantasy with a dark gothic edge - and this certainly keeps up the
tradition. Coming to Dust seens Gabriel Woolf reprising his role as
Sutekh from 1975's
Pyramids of Mars, and heading a strong cast that include Isla Blair as
Sutekh's servant on Earth, Julian Glover, and Wanda Opalinska and Jane
Lesley as the new Justine and Eliza. Despite jumping around in these
time zones, this is exciting and easy to
follow, and boasts some enjoyably rich and flamboyant
characterisations,
especially Corwyn Marne (Robert Lock) as the most daring of the story's
three
English dilettantes. It is also a good 'stepping-stone' point to
newcomers,
as Marne's black-magic-like ritual to summon them up comes complete
with a
pretty full potted history."
--Vanessa Bishop, Doctor Who
Magazine
"That was really very good; kudos to all involved. The sound design was
lovely -- that smashing window really made me jump."
--bthogg, Faction
Paradox Message Boards
"The sound quality and effects are excellent.... And the acting very
good. The story's interesting, the themes and characters are
appropriately dark and the endings great - can't wait seeing what
happens next. Won't spoil anything for those of you that
haven’t listened to it yet, but if you haven’t
heard it then I'd definitely recommend your buying yourself a copy!"
--GlynG, Outpost
Gallifrey
"Great stuff, well worth the wait!"
--Mister Harry, Outpost
Gallifrey
"Once again we encounter the creepy ape-like Malakh from [Miles'
previous work The Adventuress
of Henrietta Street],
several subsequent Who
novels and the short-lived Faction
Paradox comic. But of even
greater appeal to Who
fans is the return of Gabriel Woolf to his role as Sutekh from Pyramids
of Mars. Other guest stars
include Julian Glover and Isla
Blair, who are also no strangers to the worlds of Doctor
Who.
Glover played leading roles in both The
Crusade and
City of Death,
while Blair took a smaller part in The
King’s Demons. Now the
tables have been turned in
terms of casting, as Blair plays a major villain while Glover gets a
bit part as the Osirian Upuat."
--Sci-Fi
Online
"I’m very impressed by this release. Very impressed. What
struck me most was the huge force of imagination at work. The whole
thing plays out in widescreen. From the opening sequence on a huge
battlefield to the echo filled finale. Considering it’s in a
medium that relies completely on sound, it was chock full of arresting
visual images, from a twisted hairless ape to a vast underground
cavern. It seemed genuinely epic. The script by Lawrence Miles was
earnest and flippant in almost perfect proportion. I heard bon mots of
the highest order.... No lazy plot holes or clunky exposition here.
Everything you need to know is cleverly buried within the dialogue and
sound design. There is a gothic horror feel to the play, but with a
thoroughly modern sensibility. Like the bastard child of Mervyn Peake
and Joss Whedon. Yes, it’s that good. I also particularly
enjoyed Jane Lesley as Cousin Eliza. She was my foothold in the Faction
Paradox universe. She was the one with the tension-breaking quip... Her
performance was brilliantly contrasted by Wanda Opalinska’s
cut-glass delivery as Cousin Justine."
--David Yates, Celestial
Toyroom
