In the fledgling 51st American State of Malebolgia, Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart is acting officially as an advisor after his success with Scottish devolution. There he meets the charismatic Brigham Elisha Dashwood the Third, would be Governor of Malebolgia.

But Dashwood isn't as squeaky clean as his image suggests. The evangelist is actually the driving force behind a recreation of the notorious Hellfire Club and a sinister mental institution. And he keeps a demon from Lucifer himself as a pet.

Meanwhile, the Doctor and Charley are also in Malebolgia, their memories shredded, their identities scattered to the four winds after a particularly traumatic landing. With Charley an unwilling 'hostess' at the Hellfire Club and the Doctor locked up in the asylum, can the Brigadier, on a visit to the institution, tell which of the two men who seem to know him is actually the Doctor?

There is a lot to like about Minuet in Hell. For the first couple of episodes the Doctor plays an almost secondary role, which is no bad thing, as it allows India Fisher as Charley and the returning Nicholas Courtney as the Brigadier to take centre stage. Paul McGann is excellent as ever as the Doctor of course, really coming into his own in part four.

Of the guest cast, major acclaim goes to Robert Jezek, fresh from his role as companion Frobisher in The Holy Terror, as the charismatic Brigham Elisha Dashwood. He relishes the part, giving it the potential to be one of the truly memorable Who villains. A special mention too of Nicholas Briggs, who this time has a double role to play, that of the director of Minuet and a starring role as the confused Gideon Crane.

Also worthy of note is a bow to current popular culture with the character of Becky The Demon Slayer. I suppose it had to happen, given the success of a certain American genre show and it doesn't detract from the script, by new Big Finish scribe Alan W. Lear (along with range co-producer Gary Russell). Indeed, the script shows great maturity and bodes well for the future. I hope Mr Lear writes more for Big Finish soon.

Minuet in Hell is a fantastic end to Season 27. It is the longest play so far, but it doesn't seem like it, the action flowing smoothly and with pace. I look forward with great anticipation to Season 28 next year.