One of the fearsome and totally carnivarous Drashigs creatures. One of the true stars of Pertwee gem, Carnival of Monsters!
Roll-up, roll-up. Come along and witness a Carnival of Monsters!
One of the most entertaining tales of the Jon Pertwee era - a delightful and certainly different entry within the show's then tenth season, packed with viewer-memorable scenes - from the monstrous puppet-operated Drashigs to the mammoth hand stealing the TARDIS; and our first glimpse of the unlikely colourful carnival duo of showman Vorg (Leslie Dwyer at his best) and his lovely assistant Shirna (the delightful Cheryl Hall) - Robert Holmes' Carnival of Monsterswas, importantly, also a clear favourite enjoyed by the show's star, relishing the concept and overall imagination, indulging in all kinds of character-improvised heroism, the odd bit of gadget-tinkering and close-quarters fighting (Queensbury Rules, of course!). Well remembered by viewers with its original transmissions, it's no surprise either that Barry Letts, respected producer and director of this splendid four-parter that would push effects techniques to new limits and great effect, later personally selected the quirky and colourful CSO resplendent story as part of the important first season of Doctor Who repeats on BBC 2 during Winter 1981 - The Five Faces of Doctor Who. Seeing Carnival for the first time back then, and especially being a tale I knew very little about (with no real access to an episode guide), I particularly took to the well-written Doctor/Jo relationship, and thought the adventure overall held up well for something made eleven years earlier...
Cosmic entertainers Vorg (Leslie Dwyer) and Shirna (Cherryl Hall) arrive on the stuffy world of Inter Minor, hoping to amuse and line their coffers via their intriguing (and universally banned) miniscope device. Trouble quickly ensues...
Arrived on the strange disappeared ship. the S.S. Bernice, the Doctor and Jo are soon caught in a bizarre time loop with the ship's crew.
"Queensbury Rules" in action by the Doctor against the hostile John Andrews (Ian Marter).
The scheming Inter Minorians Kalik (Michael Wisher) and Orum (Terrence Lodge) - clearly a Robert Holmes duo capturing today's modern politicians!
Out of its own environment, a deadly Drashig smashes its way out of the S.S. Bernice's hold.
The Doctor escapes the miniscope device and soon regains his height and powers of superiority.
The Drashigs escape the scope and cause chaos before Vorg ultimately destroys them with an eradicator weapon.
The scope destroyed, and the creatures inside it returned to their natural habitats, our heroes soon depart in this rehearsal image.
Colourful art for the An Adventure in Space & Time magazine. by Paul Johnson
Original VHS release art by Colin Howard.
Back sleeve details for the UK VHS release.
1993 Target Books reprint cover art by Alister Pearson.
US Special Edition US release sleeve composition by Clayton Hickman
Adapted original Target books cover art created by Chris Achilleos.
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