|
The
Questionnaire - Souad Faress - Part Two
5 Dec 2003
Simon
Gleadhill sent in several questions:
Are you fed up with your character never being allowed to have a fulfilled,
happy love life?
Happy
fulfilled love lives don't necessarily make good drama.
Do
you think that the script shows your character as having a too simple
choice between happiness and career? If so, how do you feel about that?
I
don't think that she has a choice between work and happiness. If you don't
see the choice, you don't have it - (um!)
Did
you ever think it was time to get Shiv and the boys in to give Roy Tucker
(and his racist ex-mates) a good talking to?
Shiv
might overreact and she wouldn't want to have to defend him.
Which
character do you think Usha would be most/least likely to be called to
defend on a murder charge?
Peggy
Archer.
Are
there any other lawyers in the whole of Borsetshire? It seems you are
the only one.
Sid
and Debbie used other solicitors during their respective divorces.
What's
the best (legal) way to get Matt Crawford stitched up and sent down the
river to Sing Sing?
Investigate
his mortgages.
Do
you always play Asian parts? Obviously it would be easier for you to play
someone from your own background when on stage or TV (although I imagine
that wonders can be done with make up), but when you're doing radio work
do you ever try or get offered parts as people from other ethnic backgrounds?
No.
No it is not easier - everything depends on the part. I don't subscribe
to colour = alien. We are all human. I personally don't put those limitations
on myself and I don't expect anyone else to. So-called typecasting, pigeonholing,
glass ceilings etc exist in all sectors of any workplace. I do get offered
all sorts of parts in and out of radio and take them. It really depends
on the story and the part. I get frustrated at the narrowness in casting
in any area of my business. We are all capable of many roles with or without
makeup. I suspect 'whiteing-up' would look as ridiculous as 'blacking-up'.
Do
you ever wonder why the script-writers have made you such a bad lawyer?
I've lost count of the number of times you have discussed the details
of clients with members of the cast. It would be such a pity if you were
struck off the register and sent to whatever circle of hell is reserved
for loose-tongued solicitors.
Anne Stott
I wish there was a difference between a bad lawyer and a chatty one but
there isn't. And what can I say in Usha's Defence? I think one day I will
have to draft one. However in the meantime, rest assured that some of
my best friends are lawyers so I KNOW when Usha done good and when she
done BAAAAAD because every time USHA has a case, SOUAD gets 'feedback'
from every last one of them.
I'm
currently training to be an actress at a drama school in London, having
abandoned my career as a lawyer (which I've been doing for the past eight
years). Being a complete Archers-oholic, my dream job would be to play
a character on the show and I wondered how you'd found yourself in radio
work and if you had any wise words for those of us who are desperate to
follow!
Kate
Well Kate - what can I say, except good luck! I was asked to do my first
radio, which was a fab part in Nightrunners of Bengal by John Masters,
after the producer had seen me in Great Celestial Cow at the Royal Court
in London. Otherwise, send a tape to the Beeb, find the addresses in Contacts,
and wait. Then follow up - sorry Beeb I hope you don't get inundated.
Really the drama school ought to be able to give you hints on chasing
jobs. Try to get an agent.
I know the actors have very little say about the plots and scripts,
and I would be interested in knowing how you felt when you learned that
Usha's partner, Richard Locke, was going to be written out of the show.
Brian Whitby, Switzerland
Well I'm not sure I really learned it in the sense that there was warning.
On receipt of the scripts over the months the story line was running,
the word 'Manchester' did crop up now and again but we were kept guessing!
William Gaminara (Richard) may have been warned beforehand and sworn to
silence. I was upset when he left - we had worked together on that relationship
between Usha and Richard (sometimes quite closely) for some years - and
actually William is great to work with and a patient travelling companion
- he actually understood my jokes. We had a good relationship on and off
air. Usha of course won't talk about him at all. Not even to me. Well
she doesn't really talk to me anyway. I don't think she likes me.
Usha
has been a little unlucky in love, to say the least (although everyone
- including Usha? - seems to have forgotten Shula's role in some of Usha's
unhappiness). How would you like to see things develop for Usha in the
future? Will she find the lasting love she deserves, or will she continue
to be the subject of Lizzie and Ruth's pity?
Annie Harlow
OK Annie, What do you reckon? Is Usha unlucky or is she just a teensy
weensy bit to blame. Long working hours, perfecttttly tidy home, rudbeckia
fetish - need I say more. Though on the plus side of course fabulous body,
fabulous hair, fabulous bank account… And as for the perfectly horrid
Shula :o( I don't think Usha has forgotten Shula's part in Richard's departure
for one minute, and certainly not forgiven. You will have to guess the
last time Shula and Usha exchanged more than a frosty 'Hello'. Personally
I think Usha should have a nervous breakdown and retrain as an acupuncturist.
Her first patient would be Shula. Then she could stick pins in her and
get paid for it.
Previous
'Backstage' story>>
<<Back
|
