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The Confessions of Dorian Gray #4X
The Confessions of Dorian Gray: The Spirits of Christmas
Inspired by Oscar Wilde's classic story of hedonism and corruption, The Confessions of Dorian Gray imagines a world where Dorian Gray was real, and his friendship with Oscar Wilde once spawned the notorious novel.
Starring Alexander Vlahos as Dorian Gray, The Spirits of Christmas comprises two hour-long festive episodes, pitching Dorian against a slew of festive horrors.
Desperately Seeking Santa by Tim Leng
December, 2015. When an intruder breaks into his home in the dead of night, Dorian Gray is more than a little surprised to discover that Santa Claus himself is trying to kill him. Can he track down Father Christmas before the big day - or is the slay ride just beginning?
All Through the House by Alan Flanagan
Christmas Eve, 2015. When Dorian and Toby check into a mysterious hotel, nothing is quite as it seems. Ghosts of the past are trapped in the present, threatening their future - and nothing can ever be the same again...
PLUS! The release also includes a bonus disc of behind-the-scenes interviews with cast and crew and additional material - exclusive to bigfinish.com!
Note: The Confessions of Dorian Gray contains adult material and is not suitable for younger listeners.
Starring Alexander Vlahos as Dorian Gray, The Spirits of Christmas comprises two hour-long festive episodes, pitching Dorian against a slew of festive horrors.
Desperately Seeking Santa by Tim Leng
December, 2015. When an intruder breaks into his home in the dead of night, Dorian Gray is more than a little surprised to discover that Santa Claus himself is trying to kill him. Can he track down Father Christmas before the big day - or is the slay ride just beginning?
All Through the House by Alan Flanagan
Christmas Eve, 2015. When Dorian and Toby check into a mysterious hotel, nothing is quite as it seems. Ghosts of the past are trapped in the present, threatening their future - and nothing can ever be the same again...
PLUS! The release also includes a bonus disc of behind-the-scenes interviews with cast and crew and additional material - exclusive to bigfinish.com!
Note: The Confessions of Dorian Gray contains adult material and is not suitable for younger listeners.
Audio CD
First published December 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 19, 2016
Two main stories here. Both featuring Dorian and his lover Toby. I adore Tobias the vampire. The series has reached new heights since adding him to the cast.
The first story is rather uninspired. A supernatural serial killer Father Christmas. Fairly predictable. A two-star story. The second half more than makes up for it though.
The second story is amazingly good. And that ending is... wow. Just wow. Oh, poor Dorian!
Don't you dare think about skipping it. A must listen for all CONFESSIONS fans.
The first story is rather uninspired. A supernatural serial killer Father Christmas. Fairly predictable. A two-star story. The second half more than makes up for it though.
The second story is amazingly good. And that ending is... wow. Just wow. Oh, poor Dorian!
Don't you dare think about skipping it. A must listen for all CONFESSIONS fans.
January 19, 2016
QUE CLASE DE FINAL ES ESTE.
December 11, 2017
I thought that this holiday season I'd try something different for my holiday reading. Not such a good idea with this one. I should have realized it would be a horror by the title. Definitely not my cuppa!
October 31, 2022
Dorian Gray and the Spirit of Xmas? Nothing like a nice little scare on the Night Before Xmas, or should that be the Nightmare Before Xmas? Ever wanted to have a dark, frightful, soul disturbing winter solstice holiday? Well, Big Finish Productions delivers something dark, twisted, and absolutely warped for the most joyful time of the year.
X.1 Desperately Seeking Santa (Early December 2015) - Dorian, Tobey & Santa? The Unholy Trinity? Maybe. On the other hand, I can’t shake the feeling that this is basically Dorian Gray meets Jeepers Creepers meets Santa Claus except Santa is the Creeper from Jeepers Creepers. At least David Warner adds his usual Magic to this one. That certainly saved it from being an abysmal failure (3/5).
X.2 All Through the House (Christmas Eve 2015) - A weird hotel, mysterious faces from the past, a whole story that is just running amuck. This is the epitome of just repurposing a Doctor Who concept with different characters and mucking it up with magic stuff. All rather disappointing (2/5).
Bonus: The Confessions of Dorian Gray: Frostbite - (New York, 1947) Well, that was frustrating! Just as it was getting really good ... it’s over? I can only imagine how frustrating it was for Dorian. (This story was previously made available as a free promotional download)(4/5).
Overall, I wasn’t overly impressed. The performances were wonderful. David Warner, Katy Manning, Alexander Vlahos, Hugh Skinner, Lisa Bowerman, Tom Allen, Gabriel Woolf, and everyone really are just brilliant. Unfortunately, the premise didn’t really grab me, as Christmas (having been savagely appropriated from the winter solstice and relentlessly exploited by conspicuous consumption and capitalism for over a hundred years) is just not my favorite time of year (3/5). Also includes extensive interviews with cast and crew, and an isolated musical score.
X.1 Desperately Seeking Santa (Early December 2015) - Dorian, Tobey & Santa? The Unholy Trinity? Maybe. On the other hand, I can’t shake the feeling that this is basically Dorian Gray meets Jeepers Creepers meets Santa Claus except Santa is the Creeper from Jeepers Creepers. At least David Warner adds his usual Magic to this one. That certainly saved it from being an abysmal failure (3/5).
X.2 All Through the House (Christmas Eve 2015) - A weird hotel, mysterious faces from the past, a whole story that is just running amuck. This is the epitome of just repurposing a Doctor Who concept with different characters and mucking it up with magic stuff. All rather disappointing (2/5).
Bonus: The Confessions of Dorian Gray: Frostbite - (New York, 1947) Well, that was frustrating! Just as it was getting really good ... it’s over? I can only imagine how frustrating it was for Dorian. (This story was previously made available as a free promotional download)(4/5).
Overall, I wasn’t overly impressed. The performances were wonderful. David Warner, Katy Manning, Alexander Vlahos, Hugh Skinner, Lisa Bowerman, Tom Allen, Gabriel Woolf, and everyone really are just brilliant. Unfortunately, the premise didn’t really grab me, as Christmas (having been savagely appropriated from the winter solstice and relentlessly exploited by conspicuous consumption and capitalism for over a hundred years) is just not my favorite time of year (3/5). Also includes extensive interviews with cast and crew, and an isolated musical score.
December 6, 2019
A sort of Christmas special, this consists of two hour-long stories set in the present day, which follow on directly from one another chronologically (and are loosely linked), but which present a different foe in each case.
• Desperately Seeking Santa – The stronger half of the story concerns a series of supernatural murders in the run-up to Christmas. Gray is portrayed more positively here than he is in most other stories in this series, although that’s partly because he’s set against the grisly horror of the Santa-obsessed villain. One of the principal delights of the story, however, is the narration, provided by Colin McFarlane in a style that suggests he’s reading an uplifting Christmas fairy tale, even as the gore builds up. The central device has been used in other horror stories, although this feels (at least to me) like an original take on it, perhaps partly because of the seasonal theme, complete with appropriate music. 5 stars.
• All Through the House – In the second half, Gray and Toby become trapped in a mysterious hotel on Christmas day. The story jumps along rather quickly as the strange nature of the hotel unfolds, presenting both physical threats and emotional torment for Gray. It’s perhaps more notable for the ending, which gives Gray an opportunity the ramifications of which will presumably play out in the final season but which, at this point, are far from clear. Up until that, however, it’s a little muddled, perhaps with the story being too short too fully explore the ideas within it, although there are a number of twists along the way. 4 stars.
• Desperately Seeking Santa – The stronger half of the story concerns a series of supernatural murders in the run-up to Christmas. Gray is portrayed more positively here than he is in most other stories in this series, although that’s partly because he’s set against the grisly horror of the Santa-obsessed villain. One of the principal delights of the story, however, is the narration, provided by Colin McFarlane in a style that suggests he’s reading an uplifting Christmas fairy tale, even as the gore builds up. The central device has been used in other horror stories, although this feels (at least to me) like an original take on it, perhaps partly because of the seasonal theme, complete with appropriate music. 5 stars.
• All Through the House – In the second half, Gray and Toby become trapped in a mysterious hotel on Christmas day. The story jumps along rather quickly as the strange nature of the hotel unfolds, presenting both physical threats and emotional torment for Gray. It’s perhaps more notable for the ending, which gives Gray an opportunity the ramifications of which will presumably play out in the final season but which, at this point, are far from clear. Up until that, however, it’s a little muddled, perhaps with the story being too short too fully explore the ideas within it, although there are a number of twists along the way. 4 stars.
June 21, 2020
David Warner is good fun as the baddie in the first episode, which is dark and creepy, and yet funny and romantic when it comes to Dorian and Toby.
The two stories are linked by information Simon tells Toby in the first story, before Toby erases Simon’s memory of everything to do with Dorian. I guess Simon will no longer be a recurring character?
Toby apparently promptly forgets said information (???!!), and the couple plunge headlong into danger and tragedy in episode two.
Plot holes marred the cool idea of the Brigadoon hotel for me. (If Teddy thinks it’s 1915, how does she know about WW2? And why do they say the hotel disappeared in 1916 at one point and then 1915 at another? And really, what they’re describing is more accurately 1917. And for Pete’s sake, why didn’t Toby *warn* Dorian at *any* point?) ARGH.
Of course, even a flawed Dorian story is better than most things out there, and the voice acting is brilliant, as always.
The two stories are linked by information Simon tells Toby in the first story, before Toby erases Simon’s memory of everything to do with Dorian. I guess Simon will no longer be a recurring character?
Toby apparently promptly forgets said information (???!!), and the couple plunge headlong into danger and tragedy in episode two.
Plot holes marred the cool idea of the Brigadoon hotel for me. (If Teddy thinks it’s 1915, how does she know about WW2? And why do they say the hotel disappeared in 1916 at one point and then 1915 at another? And really, what they’re describing is more accurately 1917. And for Pete’s sake, why didn’t Toby *warn* Dorian at *any* point?) ARGH.
Of course, even a flawed Dorian story is better than most things out there, and the voice acting is brilliant, as always.
December 24, 2020
This consists of two stories. The first, Desperately Seeking Santa, involves a killer Santa. It also gets kind of meta at the end. The second story, All Through the House, might be a bit better. Had some good humor and good music.
July 12, 2024
3.75 Stars! So, the first story is very one-off monster/a regular Dorian Gray Episode. It's a slight lead in to the second episode which I loved.
December 4, 2025
I was enjoying it until the last little vignette. Where the fudge did that even come from? I already hate Dracula, that version of Mina actually made me hate it even more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2016
It's a heartbreak.
Именно так можно охарактеризовать рождественский выпуск Дориана. Сумасшедшая надежда, что вечный мальчик может быть счастлив, разбилась вдребезги. Причем злиться на несправедливость не получается - все закономерно в духе "ничего не дается просто так" и "у всего есть цена". Тот эпизод в третьем сезоне, когда вернулся ТМ, аукнулся стократ. I hate you, Scott Handcock x_x
Истории отличные. Desperately Seeking Santa (Tim Leng): злодейский Санта устраивает кровавые пирушки в преддверии Рождества, пока однажды не натыкается на симпатичные глазки Дориана, которые не прочь прихватить для коллекции. Дориан, понятное дело, против. Он объявляет Санте войну, хватает Тоби за руку и идет распевать колядки (детективная работа, they said). Богатая деталями предыстория кровожадного деда мороза в наборе, так же как и сцена в исповедальне (confessions же!), и умилительные моменты взаимодействия Д/Т ;)
All Through the House (Alan Flanagan): по хронологии этот эпизод следует прямиком за историей Санты, и он тесно связан с основной линией третьего сезона. Д+Т решают снять номер в загадочном отеле, который всю дорогу старательно прятали от взора вечного мальчика - а почему, неясно. Парочка ввязывается в беготню по этажам, наполненным различными испытаниями и призраками прошлого, чтобы в конце подняться на самую вершину и получить предложение, от которого сложно отказаться.
Пожалуй, The Spirits of Christmas являет собой самую драматичную и продуманную историю о Дориане из всех встреченных. Сюжет, динамика, персонажи - все выстроено в унисон с основной идеей. Бессердечно ставить два выпуска рядом, в первом столько тепла и долгожданного воссоединения двух дурил, а во втором - падение на самое дно в считанные секунды. Первоклассная манипуляция чувствами слушателей ;) Боюсь загадывать, что подготовил Хэндкок для финального сезона :х
lukk.svbtle
Именно так можно охарактеризовать рождественский выпуск Дориана. Сумасшедшая надежда, что вечный мальчик может быть счастлив, разбилась вдребезги. Причем злиться на несправедливость не получается - все закономерно в духе "ничего не дается просто так" и "у всего есть цена". Тот эпизод в третьем сезоне, когда вернулся ТМ, аукнулся стократ. I hate you, Scott Handcock x_x
Истории отличные. Desperately Seeking Santa (Tim Leng): злодейский Санта устраивает кровавые пирушки в преддверии Рождества, пока однажды не натыкается на симпатичные глазки Дориана, которые не прочь прихватить для коллекции. Дориан, понятное дело, против. Он объявляет Санте войну, хватает Тоби за руку и идет распевать колядки (детективная работа, they said). Богатая деталями предыстория кровожадного деда мороза в наборе, так же как и сцена в исповедальне (confessions же!), и умилительные моменты взаимодействия Д/Т ;)
All Through the House (Alan Flanagan): по хронологии этот эпизод следует прямиком за историей Санты, и он тесно связан с основной линией третьего сезона. Д+Т решают снять номер в загадочном отеле, который всю дорогу старательно прятали от взора вечного мальчика - а почему, неясно. Парочка ввязывается в беготню по этажам, наполненным различными испытаниями и призраками прошлого, чтобы в конце подняться на самую вершину и получить предложение, от которого сложно отказаться.
Пожалуй, The Spirits of Christmas являет собой самую драматичную и продуманную историю о Дориане из всех встреченных. Сюжет, динамика, персонажи - все выстроено в унисон с основной идеей. Бессердечно ставить два выпуска рядом, в первом столько тепла и долгожданного воссоединения двух дурил, а во втором - падение на самое дно в считанные секунды. Первоклассная манипуляция чувствами слушателей ;) Боюсь загадывать, что подготовил Хэндкок для финального сезона :х
lukk.svbtle
January 2, 2017
Two main stories here both written by Tim Leng and Alan Flanagan and my god were they both horrifyingly delightful! I am a bit late in listening to this at Christmas as I ordered this before it especially but I had so little time to listen to but glad i got to listen to it on the new year. Both featuring Dorian and his lover Toby. I adore Tobias the vampire and Toby and Dorian are the cutest immortal couple and so wicked!
The series has reached new heights since adding him to the cast and as part of the main character. It is such a joy seeing Toby develop since the ending in season 3 and getting to see Dorian be intimate with his lover.
The first story was very creepy and David Warner was superb as "Father christmas" though yet hilarious at the same time? As soon as I started this all I could imagine was David Warner being a proper grinch of a Santa Claus and oh boy, was I right! A supernatural serial killer Father Christmas. Fairly predictable story but so bloody. I always found the idea of having body parts removed like that horrifying and is almost as horrifying as being eaten alive. The second half more than makes up for it though.
The second story is absolutely fantastic And that ending is... wow. Just wow. Oh, poor Dorian! It is a joy to have Miles Richardson and Katy Manning back in this audio again and have them working together (as a couple again no less! Iris Wildthyme fans may remember Miles and Katy working together on the Sounds of Fear.) and having Henry Wotton as an angel was really amusing though frankly, Henry could have been a devil! Poor Isodora and Dorian.
Don't you dare think about skipping it even if it's not Christmas at the time your listening to it.
A must listen for all CONFESSIONS fans.
The series has reached new heights since adding him to the cast and as part of the main character. It is such a joy seeing Toby develop since the ending in season 3 and getting to see Dorian be intimate with his lover.
The first story was very creepy and David Warner was superb as "Father christmas" though yet hilarious at the same time? As soon as I started this all I could imagine was David Warner being a proper grinch of a Santa Claus and oh boy, was I right! A supernatural serial killer Father Christmas. Fairly predictable story but so bloody. I always found the idea of having body parts removed like that horrifying and is almost as horrifying as being eaten alive. The second half more than makes up for it though.
The second story is absolutely fantastic And that ending is... wow. Just wow. Oh, poor Dorian! It is a joy to have Miles Richardson and Katy Manning back in this audio again and have them working together (as a couple again no less! Iris Wildthyme fans may remember Miles and Katy working together on the Sounds of Fear.) and having Henry Wotton as an angel was really amusing though frankly, Henry could have been a devil! Poor Isodora and Dorian.
Don't you dare think about skipping it even if it's not Christmas at the time your listening to it.
A must listen for all CONFESSIONS fans.
August 4, 2024
After an anthology series of stories set in the past, the linear Dorian timeline gets back running with two very entertaining and interesting stories. The first is ‘Desperately Seeking Santa’ which is a very twisted and funny tale about another immortal who just so happens to be Santa. Dorian and Santa going tete-a-tete is brilliant and Alexander Vlahos shines alongside David Warner with a script as strong as this. There isn’t too much that occurs apart from the murders of plenty of Dr Who cast in small roles and the final confrontation between the main two but the comedy definitely makes this one a worthwhile listen. Colin McFarlane shines as the narrator and the very funny twist at the end, and makes it feel even more christmassy than just Dorian vs another immortal.
The second story sees Hugh Skinner and Alex Vlahos back together as the adorable Dorian & Toby in a creepy tale. There are some uneventful scenes but given the story is driven by the emotion and relationship drama of Toby/Dorian, it keeps you hooked. The story is mostly memorable for a heartbreaking ending and upon a second listen you just feel heartbroken as all the pieces fall into place for some strong emotional drama. This story is much less reliant on the Christmas element and that makes for more straight horror, supernatural drama, and a beautiful bit of angst
The second story sees Hugh Skinner and Alex Vlahos back together as the adorable Dorian & Toby in a creepy tale. There are some uneventful scenes but given the story is driven by the emotion and relationship drama of Toby/Dorian, it keeps you hooked. The story is mostly memorable for a heartbreaking ending and upon a second listen you just feel heartbroken as all the pieces fall into place for some strong emotional drama. This story is much less reliant on the Christmas element and that makes for more straight horror, supernatural drama, and a beautiful bit of angst
November 10, 2016
Oh, my poor heart!
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