Gabrielle Ketley reviews the latest Torchwood release

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All good Jeeves and Wooster homages know that the heart of the piece is the dynamic between master and servant. The banter, the contrast between the devil may care toff and the deadpan working man, and the comedy, conflict and heartache of a relationship that stretches across the class divide, and crosses into the realm of forbidden, unrequited love.

Here, Ash Darby’s Torchwood: Art Decadence delivers.

1920s Torchwood agent, Sir Reggie (Wilf Scolding) treats his devoted butler, Forster (Simon Kane), in a manner that is at once friendly, complimentary, entitled and selfish. The pair share a strong rapport, fighting off aliens, all the while discussing bowler hats and the impropriety of driving on the grass (for which Forster offers to write a letter of apology to the king on Sir Reggie’s behalf).

However, when the mission is complete, Sir Reggie swaggers off, leaving Forster with the task of digging a grave for the corpses. Sir Reggie has a club to get to. 

They are friends, at Sir Reggie’s convenience. 

Art Decadence excellently balances Torchwood exploits with British high society hijinks, weaving together intergalactic alliances, sinister conspiracies, and conflict over Janks, the irritating new footman (Timothy Blore). 

The mood turns sinister when said footman returns from a trip to the mysterious Serpentine Club with the boss, terrified and begging not to be left alone with Sir Reggie. While an altered Sir Reggie maintains his genial tone, this only serves to contrast with his growing menace, as the forces he encountered at the Serpentine Club take hold, and Forster is torn between his loyalty to his master, and to his planet.

The power play and conflicting feelings between master and butler is a constant thread throughout, and its resolution is at once highly satisfying, and delightfully disturbing. 

Art Decadence sets the tone straight off the bat and carries it through, treating us to jazz music and 1920s slang, thoroughly embracing the Torchwood meets Jeeves and Wooster vibes as it starts off fun and farcical, before smoothly moving into the realm of thrills and terror. Ideal for any Torchwood lover who also has a soft spot for a bit of Upstairs Downstairs drama.

Art Decadence is available on CD or as a download from http://www.bigfinish.com