The Minister of Chance

Synopsis In a world far from our own, Ambassador Durian of Sezuan is dispatched on a peace mission to the primitive island nation of Tanto, but things take a turn for the very, very sinister. In a nearby inn, a mysterious stranger appears, then disappears through a miraculous portal in the forest (he “knows the formula for doors”). The inquisitive teenage barmaid, Kitty follows him, with no shoes and only her superhuman strength to keep her company. Another world awaits, where they will be forced into an alliance to save the Universe, and beyond. Episodes Cast • The Minister of Chance - Julian Wadham • Kitty - Lauren Crace • Professor Canta - Jenny Agutter • Durian - Paul McGann • The Witch Prime - Sylvester McCoy • The Sage of the Waves - Tamsin Greig • The Summer King - Philip Glenister Reception WIRED heavily praised the series, calling it, "Superbly acted, with an amazing cast of characters, and with rich, lavish, immersive soundscapes." Similarly, Elisabeth Mahoney of The Guardian called the series an, "ambitious and innovative project" and praised the sound design. Dylan Rees also praised the series and noted that it was not as much a spin-off of Doctor Who as it was its own thing, comparing it to the works Terry Pratchett. The series won the 2013 Parsec Award for Best Speculative Fiction Audio Drama (Short Form). == Short film (2014) ==

Synopsis Another world: Kitty is a barmaid at the Traveller's Rest in the occupied city of Tantillion. One night, a stranger walks in, and through a door and over the Frost Bridge between worlds - and Kitty follows him. Cast • Durian - Paul McGann • The King - Tim McInnerny • Major Apper - Simon Bugg • Spider Guard - Beccy Meany • The Spider - Richard Oliver • Princess Didi - Scribble • Segway Rider - Lee Oulton Reception In Dylan Rees' reference book Downtime - The Lost Years of Doctor Who, Rees praised the film for the locations and effects, as well as McInnery's performance as the Minister. He did, however, criticize the presumed use of DSLR cameras, stating that it, "leaves the film looking cheap and amateur". == Novel (2022) ==

Synopsis “I know the formula for doors,” says the Minister, vanishing through the one he has just created in mid air. Teenage barmaid Kitty isn’t the sort to be dismissed easily, though. Armed only with her bad attitude, foul mouth and mysterious strength, she follows him through the glowing doorway, onto the frost bridge between worlds, and into adventure. ==References==