The Stones of Venice (audio story): Difference between revisions

{{title dab away}}

{{real world}}

|image          = The Stones of Venice revised cover.jpg

|range          = Main Range

|doctor          = Eighth Doctor

|companions      = [[Charlotte Pollard|Charley]]

|setting        = [[Venice]], [[2294]]

|director        = [[Gary Russell]]

|producer        = [[Jason Haigh-Ellery]] and [[Gary Russell]]

|publisher      = Big Finish Productions

|cover          = [[Clayton Hickman]]

|production code = [[List of production codes|8D]]

|trailer        = {{StoryTitle}}.ogg

|prev            = Sword of Orion (audio story)

|made prev      = Winter for the Adept (audio story)

|made next      = Sword of Orion (audio story)

}}{{audio stub}}

'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was the eighteenth story in [[Big Finish Productions|Big Finish's]] [[Main Range|monthly range]]. It was written by [[Paul Magrs]] and featured [[Paul McGann]] as the [[Eighth Doctor]] and [[India Fisher]] as [[Charlotte Pollard]].

== Plot ==

=== Part 1 ===

In the TARDIS console room, the Doctor is taking Charley to the Venetian Renaissance in the sixteenth century. As the Doctor talks about the beauty of Venice, he realises that they've landed in the twenty-third century instead. The Doctor remarks that this isn't the best time for Venice as there's not much left of it. The Doctor and Charley exit the TARDIS and the former explains that soon, the city will fall into the Adriatic Sea. He tells her that they should stay around and watch the city crumble into the water, but Charley doesn't really want to. The Doctor then notices a female local and she tells him that they will all die. As the Doctor asks her why is she staying around, she asks if he is always this impertinent. Charley apologises for the Doctor's behaviour of forgetting "good manners and introductions" and introduces herself and the Doctor to her. The woman introduces herself as Eleanor Lavish and the Doctor tells her that he's simply curious and asks why is she staying where it's about to be destroyed. Eleanor replies that she is too old to be gallivanting and refuses to leave her home. Charley then scolds the Doctor for bringing her to a mopey place where everyone wants to die, but the Doctor states that Venice has always been sinking for a long time. Eleanor scoffs at this and says that "the curse" will destroy Venice. The Doctor and Charley ask her what the "curse" means, but Eleanor walks off, saying out loud that they might meet up again soon when the sinking starts. The Doctor encourages Charley to "poke around", but then wonders if there's a transport.

Meanwhile, Orsino points out that there are masses of people gathering for the final carnival, but Churchwell insists that they must protect the treasures otherwise people will die in the next twenty-four hours. Orsino, despondent to do anything, refuses to move any piece of art out of Venice before it's too late and orders Churchwell to attend the carnival while he still can. After reluctantly agreeing, Churchwell requests to see Orsino's gallery one last time.

Meanwhile, the Doctor and Churchwell examine paintings that were part of the Duke's grandfather's collection. As the Doctor expresses sadness that the paintings will be lost, Churchwell says that he has lost all hope and will seal himself in the vault with the paintings when the city sinks. The Doctor asks why the Duke has lost interest, to which Churchwell answers that the Duke's beloved and last queen of Venice, Estella is longer here. There was no recorded painting of her because her beauty was ineffable. Churchwell then tells the Doctor that there is a Cult of Estella, which is convinced that the people hoard Estella's likeness somewhere here. Because they worship her in their infernal ceremonies, they believe they have a claim on such an object. The Doctor then realises that it's been a hundred years have passed and the Duke has been living this long and all are convinced that Estella is dead. Churchwell explains that it's part of the Duke's curse to live so long and regret his loss. The Doctor then notices a painting that depicts volcanoes and the foxes in overcoats and finds it familiar. The Doctor then tells Churchwell that there might be a way to get the paintings to safety-- the TARDIS. As the Doctor thinks of this, he sees that Charley is nowhere in sight and calls out to her. Churchwell proceeds to tell the Doctor that Estella was gambled away in a game of cards by the Duke. Some say Estella committed suicide thereafter by flinging herself into the Grand Canal in her wedding dress. Before dying, it is believed that she laid a curson on him.

The Doctor and Chuchwell continue their search for Charley, but now it's very dark outside. Suddenly, the Cult of Estella runs into them. Vincenzo announces that tonight is the eve of the anniversary of Lady Estella's death. He orders the Doctor and Churchwell to be knocked unconscious as they are to be the witnesses of her resurrection.

* [[Eighth Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Paul McGann]]

* [[Charlotte Pollard|Charley Pollard]] - [[India Fisher]]

* [[Francis Churchwell|Churchwell]] - [[Nick Scovell]]

* [[Estella (The Stones of Venice)|Ms Lavish]] / [[Estella (The Stones of Venice)|Estella]] - [[Elaine Ives-Cameron]]

* [[Vincenzo]] - [[Mark Gatiss]]

=== Culture ===

=== The Doctor ===

* The Doctor suspects that there is alien life form in Venice because of a painting with volcano and foxes which doesn't belong to Earth.

<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">

The Stones of Venice cover.jpg|Original cover with the copper logo

The Stones of Venice revised cover.jpg|Revised cover with the blue logo mentions [[India Fisher]]

</gallery>

== Continuity ==

== External links ==

{{bigfinish|releases/v/the-stones-of-venice-643}}

{{dwrefguide|who_bf18.htm|The Stones of Venice}}

{{BFA monthly}}

{{TitleSort}}

[[Category:Stories set in 2294]]

[[Category:Stories set in Venice]]