Professor & Ace: Left Hand of Darkness

By: Mark Duncan

Narrated by: Sylvester McCoy, Sophie Aldred

Ace finds herself separated from the Professor, marooned, blind and cared for by a mysterious stranger. How did she get there? Who is Dorsai? What secret is he hiding?

Notes: This is the fourth story in BBV's audio series featuring the Time Travellers. The Left Hand of Darkness is the first of two 'Ace Special' adventures which bring Sophie Aldred to the fore. Bill Baggs had been planning to feature Sophie's character alone and had commissioned BBV newcomer Mark Duncan to produce two adventures in which she would become separated from the Professor. When Sylvester McCoy (who makes guest appearances in these audios) went on holiday, there was an ideal opportunity to produce these adventures.

Released: July 1998. Written by Mark Duncan. Directed by Bill Baggs. Post-Production by Nicholas Briggs. Music by Harvey Summers. Sylvester McCoy (The Professor), Sophie Aldred (Ace), Miles Richardson (Dorsai), John Ainsworth (Computer).

A full-cast audio drama.

©1998 BBV (P)1998 BBV

Critic reviews

“This is reminiscent of those episodes of Doctor Who were just the regulars featured (in the first episode of any particular story.) The Left Hand of Darkness manages to go one better and features just one regular, for the most part. BBV and writer Mark Duncan seem to be picking up where the Virgin New Adventures left off with the development of Sophie Aldred`s Ace (despite the BBV Ace, supposedly being remotely unlike the TV Ace.) And for fans looking for something new, this idea seems to have been done to death. That said, however, The Left Hand of Darkness is a tense, psychological drama that sees Ace blind, marooned and Professorless. The other major player Dorsai, Ace`s caregiver, although little more than a robot, is played to excellence by Miles Richardson, brought to life so vividly that he steals the show. Sophie Aldred gives a competent performance and the added sound effects make this Audio Adventure a thought provoking sixty minutes listening time.” (Stuart Gutteridge)