Theatre of War — Justin Richards

Years ago, an archaeological expedition came to Menaxus to explore the ruins of an ancient theatre. All but one of the team died. Now the only survivor has returned, determined to uncover the theatre's secrets. But then the deaths begin again. The Doctor, Ace and Benny meanwhile find themselves caught up in the very real events of Shakespeare's greatest play. When they finally reach the theatre on Menaxus, the Doctor begins to realise that the truth about the planet may be far stranger than anyone imagined. With Benny doing research at the Braxiatel Collection, the Doctor and Ace head straight into an interplanetary war... Based on the original 1994 New Adventures novel by Justin Richards. Sylvester McCoy originally played the Doctor in 1987-1989, (then again in 1996) while his other work includes Radagast the Brown in Peter Jackson's epic The Hobbit films. Sophie Aldred's Ace companion is often viewed as Doctor Who's first contemporary young friend for the Doctor, setting out the template followed in later years by Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) and Clara Oswald (Jenna-Louise Coleman). Lisa Bowerman's Professor Bernice Benny Summerfield started as a character in a Doctor Who - New Adventures novel, then proceeded to have over 15 years of audio adventures with Big Finish!