Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time!

“RORY’S STORY – JUST A RORY, STANDING IN FRONT OF A PHONE, ASKING IT TO LISTEN”

Rory’s Story, penned by Neil Gaiman, is less a traditional short story and more a behind-the-scenes curiosity: a monologue-script meant to accompany the global lockdown tweetalong of The Doctor’s Wife. Written with Arthur Darvill in mind, the piece comes with instructions on staging, costuming, and tone—Gaiman’s affectionate way of directing Darvill from afar. The result is a unique blend of script and performance prompt, offering a fascinating glimpse into how actor and writer collaborate to create something meaningful in a minimalist format.

But judged as a standalone prose piece, Rory’s Story is a rather slight affair. Stripped of Darvill’s performance—his delivery, intonation, and facial expressions—it reads more like a sweet, fan-written extra than a fully developed work of fiction.

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE… WITH NO DETOURS

The narrative consists of Rory recording a heartfelt message into a smartphone for his child, reflecting on his time with the Doctor and Amy. It’s essentially a compact recap of Rory's travels, with emphasis on the emotional beats rather than plot twists. Unfortunately, because it’s so focused on familiar ground—"I travelled with a madman in a box, your mum was amazing," etc.—it doesn’t add anything particularly new or revealing to Rory’s character.

The strength of this piece isn’t in the writing alone—it lies in the performance. Darvill’s warmth, awkward charm, and subtle humour breathe life into what is otherwise a gentle retread of already-trodden emotional territory. On the page, it’s pleasant enough. On screen, it becomes a minor tearjerker.

WHEN A PERFORMANCE IS THE STORY

To read Rory’s Story is to feel half the experience. Gaiman’s annotations are delightful in their own right. But these only serve to highlight what the written text alone can’t accomplish. It’s a lovely gesture during an odd moment in time (2020, anyone?), but more of a companion piece than a standalone gem.

📝THE BOTTOM LINE: 5/10

Rory’s Story is a charming curiosity that lives and dies by its performance. On paper, it’s a sweet but lightweight piece of reminiscing. On screen, it becomes something more—an intimate farewell from a man who spent 2,000 years waiting, and who still somehow makes it all sound humble. Essential for Darvill fans, optional for everyone else.