10 Doctor Who Stories That Would Make Great Musicals

2. The Happiness Patrol

As with his predecessor's era, Sylvester McCoy's Seventh Doctor had some adventures that could justifiably be described as a bit on the feeble side. Nevertheless, some of the stories that made fans bite the sofa in disgust are great starting points for a box office hit in Theatreland. The Happiness Patrol is a candy-coated case in point. Written by Graeme Curry and appearing after the more traditional Remembrance of the Daleks during Doctor Who's 25th anniversary season in 1988, it immediately caused controversy by having the Tartan Time Lord fighting a maniac made out of sweets. Despite these bizarre trappings, the bare bones of a classic musical story can be found. A downtrodden populace forced to smile by a diabolical regime (apparently modelled on the Conservative government of the day), a race of diminutive tunnel-dwellers, a rogue canine (at least it appeared to be a canine!) and of course a strong music element via the character of haromica player Earl Sigma. Top it off with wacky dictator Helen A and you're left with a kitsch extravaganza. McCoy has graced the stage in numerous roles, from The Pied Piper to The Fool opposite Sir Ian McKellen in King Lear. Is he much of a note-hitter, though? When it comes to the list of short, Scottish and eminently qualified actors who could take on his role, one name stands out from the crowd... Alan Cumming! He's performed in everything from a dark, Nazi-based musical to a camp-as-Christmas airline sitcom and has the right mix of playfulness and bite to navigate the Doctor through this crazed society where even so much as a frown can get you executed.