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The TARDIS arrives on the storm-lashed planet of Peladon,
just as it is being assessed for its suitability to join the
Galactic Federation. King Peladon’s Chancellor has died
under mysterious circumstances, and his High Priest is vehemently
opposed to the Federation’s advances. Mistaken for Earth
delegates, the Doctor and Jo struggle to counter myth and
superstition with logic and reason. Is the Curse of Peladon
about to strike down those who would form a union with the
Federation? Has the royal beast Aggedor risen to defend the
planet’s independence...?
The
Curse of Peladon is one of my favourite Jon Pertwee stories,
not least because of its unusually diverse selection of alien
life forms, including the hermaphrodite hexapod Alpha Centauri,
the half-automaton Arcturus, two Ice Warriors from the planet
Mars and the legendary beast Aggedor. The visual appeal of
such creatures is of course lost during this audio presentation,
which is narrated by Katy Manning, though we do still get
to hear the shrill tones of the wonderfully timid Alpha Centauri
(Ysanne Churchman). The participation of the Martians is also
interesting, as writer Brian Hayles elevates them above the
status of mere monsters (as they were in two previous Patrick
Troughton stories) into one of the earliest examples of a
fully rounded intelligent alien species in Doctor Who.
The
script’s European Union allegory, with the Federation
representing the EU, still resonates today: not so much in
the Peladonians’ fear of new technology or of mineralogical
exploitation but rather their fears about loss of sovereignty
and the undermining of local laws.
Unusually
for a classic series serial, The Curse of Peladon is
a genuinely emotional tale, thanks to the central performances
of David (son of Patrick) Troughton as King Peladon and Katy
Manning as Jo Grant. Troughton brings the role of the lonely
and uncertain young ruler vividly to life, the first of many
guest characters to fall in love with Jo. The genuine warmth
that exists between Peladon and his mentor Hepesh (Geoffrey
Toone) in early scenes makes the latter’s betrayal all
the more tragic.
Manning
provides a lively reading of the linking narration, relishing
descriptions such as Alpha Centauri’s “one huge
eye” - though there are probably also degrees of relief
and satisfaction at having finally got this line out, as the
out-takes at the end of the first disc reveal! In her interview
with Mark Ayres at the end of CD 2, the actress recalls the
making of the production, including the very real attraction
that existed between her and Troughton.
Though
I’m still not sure why so many characters are named after
their planets or star systems of origin (Peladon, Alpha Centauri,
Arcturus), this right royal beast of a yarn works almost as
well on audio as it does on television.
Richard
McGinlay
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