The Book of Kells (audio story)

The Book of Kells (audio story)

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The Book of Kells
Doctor:	[[doctor::Eighth Doctor]]
Companion(s):	Tamsin Drew
Main enemy:	The Monk
Main setting:	The Abbey of Kells, Kells, Meath, Ireland, Earth, 1006
Key crew
Publisher:	[[publisher::Big Finish Productions]]
Writer:	Barnaby Edwards
Director:	Barnaby Edwards
Release details
Release number:	4.4
Release date:	30th September 2010
Format:	1 CD - 2 parts
Production code:	BFPDWCDMG028
ISBN:	ISBN 978-1-84435-478-8

The Book of Kells was the fourth release of the fourth series of The New Eighth Doctor Adventures.

Synopsis

'Anyone who's prepared to kill for a book interests me.'

Ireland, 1006. Strange things have been happening at the isolated Abbey of Kells: disembodied voices, unexplained disappearances, sudden death. The monks whisper of imps and demons. Could the Lord of the Dead himself be stalking these hallowed cloisters?

The Doctor and his companion find themselves in the midst of a medieval mystery. At its heart is a book: perhaps the most important book in the world. The Great Gospel of Columkille. The Liber Columbae. The Book of Kells.

Cast

• The Eighth Doctor - Paul McGann
• Tamsin Drew - Niky Wardley
• Brother Bernard - Jim Carter
• King Sitric - Terrence Hardiman
• Abbot Thelonious/The Monk - Graeme Garden
• Brother Patrick / Brother Timothy - Ryan Sampson
• Olaf Eriksson - Nick Brimble
• Lucianus - Ash Hidminster

References

Individuals

• Abbot Thelonious is revealed to be the Meddling Monk and his companion, Lucianus, is the alias of Lucie Miller.

Races and species

• A Vortisaur crashlands in a barn.

Technology

• The Monk made a DIY time scoop.
• The Monk has a Mark IV TARDIS.
• Lucianus uses a vocoder to make her voice sound masculine.

Notes

• This story marks the first appearance of the Monk in an audio play.
• Sheridan Smith is credited as 'Ash Hidminster' (an anagram) in the liner notes, to disguise the reappearance of Lucie.
• As the Doctor states, it is a matter of historical record that the Book of Kells was stolen from the Abbey of Kells in 1006. When it was recovered some weeks later, the gold and jewels of the cover were missing, along with several pages. This brief period was the only time that the Book of Kells was outside the monastery until it was placed on display in the Old Library of Trinity College in the 19th century, where it remains today.
• Ryan Sampson (Brother Patrick / Brother Timothy) previously played Luke Rattigan in DW: The Sontaran Stratagem / The Poison Sky and would later play Father Thane in BFA: The Elite.

Continuity

• The Doctor last met the Monk in NA: No Future.
• The Doctor recalls the events of DW: The Time Meddler and DW: The Daleks' Master Plan when he realises the identity of the Monk.
• Lucie Miller left the Doctor in BFA: Death in Blackpool.
• The Monk was the time traveller who organised the companion auditions. (BFA: Situation Vacant)

Timeline

• The Book of Kells occurs after BFA: Nevermore
• The Book of Kells occurs before BFA: Deimos

External links

• Official The Book of Kells page at bigfinish.com
• The Book of Kells at the Doctor Who Reference Guide