Audio CD review
Starring the voice of Caroline John
BBC Audio
Release date Out now

The mysterious return of a space capsule that has been sent to Mars spells trouble for the Doctor…

I must confess, I’m still not entirely sure of the point of the Doctor Who audio soundtracks that exist as television stories. Are there people that desperately require a copy of The Ambassadors of Death in case they need to be entertained on a lengthy car journey? It’s in contrast to the excellent Target novel audio adaptations that offer plenty of aural nourishment with the added bonus of expanded information and intriguing narrative diversions.

Still, there’s no denying that Caroline John’s narration of the story is very good. John is more of an actress than a performer so she offers a restrained, laidback reading of the linking scenes, allowing the soundtrack to tell the story. She also contributes an interview at the end, which is amiable enough but probably won’t offer much new information to the dedicated fan.

The story itself is a good one, with a particularly strong score by Dudley Simpson and plenty of action as the UNIT formula is established. It’s a tale that made for great television but is less effective on audio. Jonathan Wilkins

VERDICT: 6/10
A great TV story makes for a so-so audio experience.