In May 2025, Big Finish Productions collaborated with Bristol Old Vic Theatre School to stage a workshop for students, continuing a tradition of industry-led masterclasses at the school.  

Five talented students from this masterclass were then selected to star in an episode of Big Finish’s popular Doctor Who full-cast audio drama range The Third Doctor Adventures. This story, also featuring the voices of Tim Treloar and Katy Manning, will be released later in 2026. 

Both the masterclass and the recording of the Third Doctor episode took place at Bristol’s Christchurch Studios. The venue has a long legacy in Doctor Who audio production, including the recording of Storm Warning, the first audio drama starring Paul McGann (released on this day exactly 25 years ago). The studio sadly closed in 2025 as part of local redevelopment. 

Barnaby Edwards, who ran the masterclass, said: “Doctor Who is over 60 years old and Big Finish is nearly 30, and what’s kept both entities alive and thriving is the regular injection of fresh talent. It’s always been Big Finish policy to bring new people into our audio dramas, so when Bristol Old Vic Theatre School asked whether we could give a masterclass to their students, we thought we’d go one better. 

“The day-long workshop was taught by Nicholas Briggs and me in mid-May 2025, ably assisted by Big Finish regular George Naylor. It was held at Christchurch Studios, which will forever be sacred to Big Finish – those first Eighth Doctor adventures, all those years ago, really put us on the map. Nick and I then selected five students and cast them in a brand-new Third Doctor adventure. I know how difficult it is to get that first professional credit, so this was a great way of opening doors into the industry. 

“I’m delighted to say that all five students rose to the challenge and we ended up with a wonderful story, thrumming with energy and inventiveness. This combination of a vibrant young cast teamed with experienced Who legends is a fruitful one – and I hope it won’t be our last such venture.” 

Nicholas Briggs, Big Finish creative director, added: “I was more than happy to hand over the directing reins for this Third Doctor adventure to Barnaby. He’s had extensive experience working with students and knew exactly the right way to approach this. I was there as his back-up and to answer any questions about Big Finish during the workshop, but when it came to the recording, I was very much in my little monster isolation booth, trying to be as terrifying as possible. 

“We were spoilt for choice with the excellent students who came to the workshop, so our choices were made by taking into account which were best for the roles available. They really did us proud. It was also really poignant to return to Christchurch Studios, not least because, just by chance, we ended up being the last production ever made there before the building began conversion into apartments.” 

And Rob Langley-Swain, head of marketing and development at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, said: “We’re so pleased that our acting students had the opportunity to work with Big Finish in this way. Exposing students to professional opportunities during their training is so invaluable and often hard to facilitate, so this really was such a fantastic chance for those involved. Bristol Old Vic Theatre School’s reputation for producing industry-ready professionals is of paramount importance and we couldn’t maintain that without key relationships with partners like Big Finish.”