Lena Kaur (Farzana in ‘Reality Check’) talks about her experience of working on 'Reality Check'. Louise Gulley asked the questions.

What was it like working with Junade Khan again? (He played Lena’s onscreen brother, Ash, in ‘Hollyoaks’).

LENA: It was lovely, because you’re so familiar with working together. It’s nice to get the job going straight away and we could really indulge in the role of brother and sister, and the arguing, because there was a lot of that before (in ‘Hollyoaks’). It’s a luxury actually, because you’re used to meeting people straight away and you will be told “okay, this is your mother” and I’m like “yes, okay...!”. This time the back story, the history of brother and sister was already there.

And what about Shiv Grewal - who is very experienced in radio drama – playing your dad?

LENA: He was great. He was in there, first take. It puts you at ease a bit more because experienced actors are so relaxed. It was lovely, and very quick.

How did you enjoy playing the role of Farzana? Did you relate to her?

LENA: I even said to the Director, when I got the part, how much I loved this character. I was really excited about playing her because I feel she’s so relevant; and as a modern British Asian women, I feel Shai Hussain the writer, has got it spot on.

She’s quite empowered, in some ways, isn’t she?

LENA: Yes, exactly. She had her own thoughts and opinions, she’s fun, and she’s gone into the Big Brother house. Yes, she does drink - and these sorts of issues are very universal for her just being a woman.

She has conflicting roles in her family. She’s juggling being a sister and daughter.

LENA: Yes, absolutely and that’s what was so appealing to me. This is a real three-dimensional person here, and I just find this so exciting because she’s not just dictated by her colour or her religion, because that’s not real. You’re playing a real person and that was just a pleasure.

Has it ever been more of a struggle to bring characters to life from the script?

LENA: Yes, when I was first starting. Sometimes the script doesn’t always give that to you, so you’re trying to find your own thoughts and back story in your mind to create a fully rounded character. I have read a lot of characters who I felt are just dealing with a certain issue, and sometimes it’s not always done effectively on a humane, universal kind of level - it’s like we’re dealing with a ‘subject matter’. You can’t act a theme or an issue; I can only play my actions and what this person is going through at the moment. Now it’s changing; I’m reading more scripts which are diverse, more colourful and give different dimensions to the characters. ‘Reality Check’ really jumped out at me because I could relate to Farzana, I’d be friends with her - I knew her well. That’s what’s so lovely about reading a script - when it just goes “ding”; you realise you can play this character, and she has something very important to say.

How did you enjoy the process of radio drama, compared to your work in ‘Hollyoaks’?

LENA: I think the nice thing with radio drama is that you are just committing to your voice; you don’t have to go into costume, and think “what am I doing here?” “Where am I standing?” It’s really intimate, which is what I love about doing radio, and you just get in there and do it straight away.

What else have you been involved in on radio?

LENA: I was Mahjabin in ‘Maps for Lost Lovers’, and Neyha in ‘Silver Street’, but that was a while ago. I also did a lot of radio when I was at college.

In Radio Drama what other ways do you get into character - instead of the aid of costume, for instance.

LENA: Well the studio really helped because the play is set in the Big Brother house and when we stepped into the studio it really felt like I was in the house; especially when I was doing the diary room extracts - the white walls, the couch in the studio, the way I'm not speaking directly to a person. But also, you need to use your imagination - like the scenes in the swimming pool, you really have to imagine you’re there and take your time with it. You’re expressing everything - movements, nudges, insinuating something, and playing your actions - all through the textures and qualities of your voice. I wouldn’t say it was any easier or harder, but a different skill is required; I love that it’s so detailed.

How familiar are you with the Asian Network?

LENA: I’ve done a few interviews, hour specials; and when I was in ‘Hollyoaks’ I did quite a few things. I listen to a lot of their stuff; I’m a big fan of Bobby Friction and I love the debate sessions with Nihal.

You’re very passionate about what you do.

LENA: Absolutely, especially with scripts like this, because I feel like there are just so many writers out there, unlike Shai Hussain, who don’t create really good female characters. I’m reading other scripts that Shai’s just written and they’re great. They’re fun and have so much depth to them, and you appreciate that because it’s a breath of fresh air. It’s lovely to have been a part of ‘Reality Check’, I had a great experience.