Director Scott Handcock said: "The influence of Bilis Manger stretches far and wide throughout Torchwood - and Curtain is no exception. It's a play about performances and the masks people wear, consciously and subconsciously, and it was a delight to work with such a talented band of actors on a script about acting!

"We had the best of times with Murray Melvin, and I know the idea of one more story with Bilis after he'd gone always tickled him. We all miss him a very great deal."

Writer and producer James Goss added: "Curtain's the release you listen to if you want a slice of horror - three people trapped in a haunted theatre with the devil playing deadly tricks on them.

"It's a release that we'd have absolutely loved Murray Melvin to be around for; indeed, he suggested the notion of Bilis Manger in a theatre, as he loved lighting up a green room with theatrical anecdotes. Actors adored Murray, and it seemed irresistible to do a story in which Bilis sunk his teeth into three actors - a success, a has-been and a never-quite-was, all broken in their own ways.

"Sadly, of course, Murray died before we could get a script ready, and we were left with a corking idea and the burning need to give Bilis a soaring send-off. Bilis was such a great part of the Big Finish Torchwood range, he couldn't just go out without a big bang. And so we came up with the notion of Curtain - there is a character called Bilis Manger in it, but who is he?

"The recording was a blast - there's nothing actors love so much as taking the mick out of themselves and each other. Honestly, it's a great curtain call for Bilis Manger, and he truly deserves this one last ovation."

Sarah Douglas, Cyril Nri, Colin Ryan, Robert Bathurst

Sarah Douglas and James Goss