Class: Volume Four 4.2 - The Creeper by Lizzie Hopley (REVIEW)
Reviewed by Sean McGavin
Clarification: This is an in-depth review of the story and may contain spoilers. You have been warned.
The Creeper - second story in volume 4 - takes place on Halloween night. Whilst the school halloween dance is going on, Miss Quill takes Matteusz off on an investigation. There's an alien distress call from a boarded up house in Shoreditch that needs her attention. Of course, things go badly and it is then up to Charlie and April to get to them before time runs out.
My initial reaction to this, after listening to the story, was certainly one of fear and being creeped out (guess the name of the story is fitting!). You might think that being creeped out means I didn't enjoy this story, but actually it's the opposite. It did a great job. It was so effective that I'd say it's probably one of my favourite Class audio stories that we had.
This is for a number of reasons. First, we need to give credit to Lizzie Hopley’s incredible and eerie writing. The way she manages to create the right kind of atmosphere - one that makes a listener feel scared and on edge. Despite the slight trouble that the audios have - from us already knowing that Quill and the kids must survive - she still managed to make me really worry for our protagonists and their fate. I did somewhat forget the reality because I was so concerned. So that was really well done. The story really goes for its setting as a halloween story - totally haunted house. It was quite something to listen to (especially if you are like me and get easily scared).
My initial reaction to this, after listening to the story, was certainly one of fear and being creeped out (guess the name of the story is fitting!). You might think that being creeped out means I didn't enjoy this story, but actually it's the opposite. It did a great job. It was so effective that I'd say it's probably one of my favourite Class audio stories that we had.
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| Jordan Renzo makes his return to Big Finish HQ... |
Speaking of, adding to the tone and setting of the story, the sound design of this story must be praised too. It is immense and immersive. Plays in one of the strengths that I think Big Finish has - you can close your eyes and feel like you are in the story with your favourite characters. And in this story even feel as frightened as they do.
The world of Class is what made me fall in love with Big Finish in the first place and this story shows exactly why. Heck, it will probably be the focal point of bad dreams yet to come!
And of course, let's not forget Blair Mowat's brilliant score (seasonally themed versions of tracks that sound very traditional spooky synth? Yes please!) that add another layer to the finished story. It takes the story to the next level and shows again why I always look forward to his work. (Also, listen out for a cameo appearance by him!)
The world of Class is what made me fall in love with Big Finish in the first place and this story shows exactly why. Heck, it will probably be the focal point of bad dreams yet to come!
And of course, let's not forget Blair Mowat's brilliant score (seasonally themed versions of tracks that sound very traditional spooky synth? Yes please!) that add another layer to the finished story. It takes the story to the next level and shows again why I always look forward to his work. (Also, listen out for a cameo appearance by him!)
Another highlight about this particular story is the character pairings. On TV, we didn't really get much time between Miss Quill and Matteusz without Charlie being present. Here we get to see Quill even more open distaste for humans, and Matteusz's reluctance to listen to her when Charlie is not there to persuade him. Though, there is perhaps a touch of respect for him in her heart, she's not going to show it too much...
We then have Charlie and April - of course, that is a pairing I loved to see on TV and I did like the bond that they'd formed by The Lost - with April's caring nature helping to soothe Charlie's, for lack of better words, unawareness of the world. And this story really taps into how they work together as a duo. The pairings gives us new insight into the characters that helps engage the listener beyond the main plot itself.
This story is great at developing these characters in that regard, and gives a real sense that this is part of their journeys as people from For Tonight We Might Die to The Lost.
The cast do a terrific job as always, and it's great to hear them back together in general... and as I said, in these pairings. They bounce off each other really well. Especially Dervla Kirwan, who had the hard task of taking on the role of Quill (previously portrayed by Katherine Kelly). And she manages exactly that - with a great performance that is her own and yet also embodies Quill perfectly!
We then have Charlie and April - of course, that is a pairing I loved to see on TV and I did like the bond that they'd formed by The Lost - with April's caring nature helping to soothe Charlie's, for lack of better words, unawareness of the world. And this story really taps into how they work together as a duo. The pairings gives us new insight into the characters that helps engage the listener beyond the main plot itself.
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| Greg Austin and Sophie Hopkins, with Lizzie Hopley |
The cast do a terrific job as always, and it's great to hear them back together in general... and as I said, in these pairings. They bounce off each other really well. Especially Dervla Kirwan, who had the hard task of taking on the role of Quill (previously portrayed by Katherine Kelly). And she manages exactly that - with a great performance that is her own and yet also embodies Quill perfectly!
Overall, The Creeper is a great story, with some nice new insights and developments for our main characters, that will give you chills and thrills - and it might just keep you up all night.
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