"Gonna slit your throat!"

Ten years ago, Doctor John Smith arrived on an Earth colony world that had adopted Victorian England as its theme. He was alone, disfigured and had lost all memory of his life before.

In the intervening ten years Doctor Smith has made a major contribution to his new community. He is a respected and talented surgeon, has powerful friends and is enjoying life. But he still has no memory of his previous existence.

So, on the occasion of his tenth birthday, in the company of his two dearest acquaintances, he should be happy. But does the stranger that arrives during a séance know who Smith really is? Why is a killer stalking the streets, murdering and mutilating young women? And just who is the Master?

After the reasonable Omega and the superior Davros comes the best of the villain's trilogy, Master.

Having previously established himself as the Master again in Dust Breeding, this time Geoffrey Beevers has the task of creating a whole new dimension to the character. He rises to the challenge superbly, giving us an urbane, charming man who wouldn't hurt a fly. You can really feel for this Master, who has had all his previous life stripped away.

Almost his equal is Sylvester, in probably his most subdued portrayal since the TV Movie. With episode two being virtually a two hander between McCoy and Beevers, it gives them the perfect opportunity to bounce off each other and they do it to amazing effect.

Joseph Lidster delivers a superior script this time, in contrast to his previous play The Rapture. Master is a tighter production all round. It is never predictable, surprising at the right moments and full of twists and turns that leave the listener gasping. Even when I thought the author had missed an opportunity within the dynamics of the play, later on he showed that he hadn't missed it at all and it is things like that that give this play the edge over most of the others of 2003.

Of the guest cast most plaudits go to Who veteran Philip Madoc as Victor Schaeffer and to Anne Ridler as his wife Jacqueline. These two act well together, giving a real impression of husband and wife through their banter. This adds an extra level to the play, giving more depth to the characters.

In summary, this is an exceptional production.