Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Christopher Benjamin, Trevor Baxter, Louise Jameson, Conrad Asquith, Lisa Bowerman, Elizabeth Counsell, Matt Addis, Christopher Beeny, Mike Grady, Colin Baker.

After the final events of Series Three’s Chronoclasm, it would be understandable if Jago and Litefoot, Victorian London’s pre-eminent Detectives, were to think of taking it easy for a while. The nerves shattered, the lives of those around them changed and their long standing friendship with Leela pushed to a limit which thankfully did not break, who would blame them for getting back to the normality of London life?

For Henry Gordon Jago and Professor George Litefoot, rest is never an option. It’s not as if they go looking for misfortune, a juicy mystery or spend time marvelling at the macabre, invariably it comes looking for them and in the first episode of Series Four of the audio spin off from Doctor Who, Jago and Litefoot may be involved in more than they can physically cope with as the mysterious Professor Dark steps briefly out of the shadows and two new inexplicable gentlemen by the names of Mr. Kempston and Mr. Hardwick are out to cause trouble; for Henry Gordon Jago though trouble comes in threes as he falls prey to Cupid’s convincing conundrum in Jago In Love.

Written by Nigel Fairs, Jago In Love is a great way to start off the fourth season of audios starring Christopher Benjamin, Trevor Baxter and Louise Jameson as two of the most adored non-companions in the Doctor Who history and the wonderful savage Leela. Intriguing straight from the off with a brief appearance and exchange of words by the mysterious Professor Dark, played with coolness personified by Big Finish favourite Colin Baker, the listener is thrown head first straight into the Victorian era of Brighton and the latest adventure begins.

Whilst Brighton might not be the first place that people think of when talking of the natural beauty of the South Coast, it is perhaps arguably unlike any other town or city on the south coast, it’s people, its colourful sentiments and attitudes perhaps have more in common with the likes of Newcastle, Liverpool, Southport, Blackpool, Whitby or Scarborough than with its near neighbours of Southampton, Bournemouth, Poole or Hastings. It is this mask of grandeur that makes it seem playfully disturbing, a place full of ghosts in back alleys and in which post-war criminals made their mark. It is the perfect place for two London gentlemen to get away to when there is trouble afoot.

Whilst it is always a true welcome that gets laid out for the three main actors, who make Jago and Litefoot an entertaining diversion, it is Elizabeth Counsell who gives Jago In Love its over-whelming enjoyment. As the quickly engaged music hall singer Abigail Woburn, the whole crux of the episode hangs on her like a perfectly tailored dress on a film star on the red carpet. The teasing nature of who she is and what she brings to the future of the intrepid duo is played out beautifully and it with a sense of sadness when all is revealed.

The mystery is once again underway but with threats coming from all sides, Jago and Litefoot might have well finally met their match.

Jago In Love is part of Jago and Litefoot Series Four. Jago and Litefoot Series Four is available to purchase from Worlds Apart, Liverpool.

Ian D. Hall