Doctor Who: The Peterloo Massacre

Big Finish: Monthly Range #210

by Paul Magrs, Peter Davison (Narrator), Janet Fielding (Narrator)

"They say there’ll be thousands pouring into Manchester tomorrow. From all over the county, north and south. It’ll be a piece of history. People will remember this!"

Lost in the smog of the Industrial Revolution, the TARDIS crashes four miles south of Manchester, in the grounds of Hurley Hall – a grand mansion belonging to a local factory owner, a proudly self-made man. But while Hurley dreams of growing richer still on the wealth of secret knowledge locked up in the Doctor’s time and space machine, his servants hope only for a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work. His young maid Cathy, for instance, whom Nyssa learns is looking forward to joining the working people’s march to St Peter’s Field, in the heart of the city. There’ll be speeches and banners and music. It’ll be like one big jamboree…

Or so she thinks. For the city’s establishment have called in their own private militia, to control the crowd. One of the darkest days in Manchester’s history is about to unfold – and the Doctor, Nyssa and Tegan are right in the thick of it.

Genres: Doctor Who, Science Fiction, Audiobook, Historical Fiction

Audio CD

First published March 1, 2016

Reviews

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic historical. I loved how outraged Tegan was by the conditions of the people. How Nyssa had to have it all explained to her but then she got it and that there was a cliffhanger with her yelling at the factory owner. Both women were written beautifully. The local characters all seemed so multi-dimensional, and to have a whole life before and after the "adventure" which doesn't often happen in Doctor Who stories. The way the story developed, and the fact that the only "monsters" were the humans and the society of the time was just brilliant. Easily one of my favourite Peter Davison stories of all time. Definitely one I'd recommend.

[Jamie Revell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know how many people outside Britain are familiar with the events of the Peterloo Massacre of 1819, but suffice it to say that this is a straight historical without any aliens or other SF malarkey other than the presence of the time travellers. It's also standalone, and familiarity with the real events of that day in Manchester aren't necessary; indeed, the story may have a bigger impact if you don't know what's coming.

The story obviously involves the Doctor - and more particularly, his companions, who aren't familiar with the relevant history - becoming involved in the events around the Massacre. There are some changes to history-as-we-know-it for purposes of the story, and a few names of those involved have been changed, but nothing that either undercuts or seriously exaggerates what actually happened. So, while it might not be a history lesson about the fine details of the Massacre, the story is a strong evocation of the social context that led to it and the horror of the outcome.

Tegan and Nyssa are once again contrasted in their approach, with Tegan being at her most pugnacious in the face of what is, admittedly, some pretty serious social injustice by modern standards. Sensibly, the fine details of the politics (such as the effect of the Corn Laws) are glossed over, but instead, we do get some more relatable grievances as the story moves between the lives of wealthy industrialists and the working classes. It's also good to see that the majority of the guest characters are not mere one-dimensional cyphers, as they so easily could have been.

The story is perhaps a little too contrived in places to be quite worth the full five stars, but 4.5 is certainly fair. It's particularly impressive from Magrs, who tends to go for whimsy and weirdness, but here is approaching events with the seriousness they deserve. This is not a piece of light listening, but it's effective as a rage against injustice.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was there in History! In a dark and ugly part of history. Feel like I was read a children's history book by children. Learned a bit about Manchester history that I didn't know. As entertainment? Can't recommend it.

[David Layton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul Magrs seems to have found what he is good at when writing for Doctor Who, and surprisingly, it's the historical. His "Lady of Mercia" worked quite well in mixing the science fiction with the history. This time around, once the TARDIS crash lands in 1819, it's pure historical along the lines of the 1964 historicals. Doctor 5, Tegan, and Nyssa get caught up in the events of the Peterloo Massacre, when local Manchester authorities overreacted to a labor protest march, essentially treating the protesters as if they were an enemy army. The TARDIS team first get involved with the family of a local factory owner, a self-made man who overcompensates by bullying his workers in the names of money and progress. Magrs splits up the TARDIS team so that the listener can learn about three sides to the event - the rich and powerful side, the workers' side, and the militia's side. By making the story in essence a family drama, Magrs can keep the three perspectives strongly intertwined. Also, with the requirements of a Doctor Who historical, he avoids his usual indulgences in kitsch and whimsy that so mar much of his other writing for Doctor Who. The one problem, if it is a problem, is the grim inevitability of these stories. The Doctor knows, and thus we know, just how horrible the events will be. We also know that there is no way to stop them. And, in a rare moment, we get to hear Doctor 5 become angry and outraged, a turn that Davison handles very well. It's a good listen.

[Pietro Rossi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A love letter to all of us who like to see a pure historical story on TV. The Doctor, Nyssa and Tegan go to 1819 and straight into the Manchester massacre. There is a certain inevitability, both in the events to unfold as well as the regular teams' survival. But a well told and made story such as this, is a hit. 10/10

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dark period in history told through a dark Doctor Who story. Frustrated that the characters get in the way of other characters revenge and refuse to change history. "But its the rules" stop being such a bloody coward Doctor.

[Debra Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Doctor, Tegan, and Nyssa land on Earth the day before a huge workers protest that turns into a massacre.

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do enjoy a straight historical once in a while.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always like it when Doctor Who informs me about historic events I'd never heard of. This one was pretty messed up.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical Doctor Who that reenacts the Peterloo Massacre in which 15 people were killed protesting for parliamentary reform and suffrage.

[Christopher Hatch · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a excellent and engaging story. I must say I do enjoy a good historical and this one delivered a moving story with no unnecessary faff.
Recommended listen.

[Anne Barwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwrenching and powerful. Great to see an historical for Five.