THE GREATEST SHOW IN THE GALAXY

Written by Stephen Wyatt.

Directed by Alan Wareing.

Transmitted originally: 14 December 1988 to 4 January 1989.

"I've never been able to visit it before now, but I've got all sorts of souvenirs. Copies of all the adverising satellites that have ever been sent out. All the posters. I had a long correspondence with one of the founder members too, soon after it all started. Although I never got to see the early days, I know its not as good as it used to be but I'm still terribly interested." - Whizzkid (speaking of the Psychic Circus).

THE STORY

The Doctor and Ace head for the Psychic Circus on the planet Segonax after they receive an advertising satellite. They encounter a number of other visitors including a pompous explorer named Captain Cook and his companion Mags, a werewolf, and a biker known as Nord, Vandal of the Roads. The Circus is dominated by the sinister Chief Clown and his deadly troupe of robotic clowns, who organise a talent contest for any visitor that arrives. The audience consists only of a strange family - mother, father and daughter - seated at the ringside.

Although hindered by the treacherous Cook, the Doctor eventually discovers with the help of Circus member Deadbeat, actually Kingpin, the former leader of the troupe, that the Circus hides a terrible secret: the family are actually the Gods of Ragnarok, powerful beings with an insatiable craving for entertainment who invariably destroy all who fail to please them. Ace retrieves an amulet that allows the Doctor to rebound the angry God's energy back at them, and destroys the Circus. The Doctor and Ace leave while Kingpin and Mags plan to start a new circus.

CAST:

The Doctor (Sylvester McCoy), Ace (Sophie Aldred), The Captain (T.P. McKenna), Mags (Jessica Martin), Ringmaster (Ricco Ross), Stallslady (Peggy Mount), Chief Clown (Ian Reddington), Morgana (Deborah Manship), Bellboy (Christopher Guard), Whizzkid (Gian Sammarco), Nord (Daniel Peacock), Flowerchild (Dee Sadler), Bus Conductor (Dean Hollingsworth), Deadbeat (Chris Jury), Dad (David Ashford), Mum (Janet Hargreaves), Little Girl (Kathryn Ludlow).

FACTS:

Ace wears the Fourth Doctor's scarf and Mel's top from 'Paradise Towers' as she searches for her rucksack in the TARDIS.

The Doctor performs a number of conjuring tricks in Part Four. Sylvester McCoy was coached in magic by Geoffrey Durham, otherwise known as the Great Soprendo, for these scenes.

OTHER FORMATS:

The Seventh Doctor Novelisations

Seventh Doctor Videos

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