|
The Questionnaire - Trevor Harrison
11July 2003
 |
Here's
a selection of your question to Trevor Harrison (Eddie Grundy),
with our thanks to Trev for the answers:
|
A
friend of mine is always complaining that the Grundys have become too
respectable. Do you agree? When are we going to hear from Alf again?
Tom Eaton
The
Grundys respectable, Tom? Of course they are! Well they try to be. Let’s
see now… Clarrie? Yes. William? Perhaps a little bit too much at
times (especially when poaching is involved). Ed? Make your own mind up!
Joe and Eddie? Always (your Honour). Alf? Not worth thinking about. If
the Grundys ever see Alf again I hope he brings back the records he "borrowed"
from Eddie.
What
was it like when you were told you had landed the part of Eddie Grundy?
Alex Halpern
Well
Alex, I really could not believe it. My gran was a great Archers listener
but sadly she was not alive when I got the part, I was asked at my audition
if I might be free for nine months. Well next year I complete 25 years.
I am honoured.
I
remember Eddie when he was a silent character - what was it like then?
Careen Grange
Obviously
I was not in the Archers when Eddie was silent. But once I had been given
the part but before I started recording, I was tuning into the Archers
whenever I could. Eddie was often mentioned (the wedding to Dolly Treadgold
was imminent). It was a very strange feeling. I remember thinking I hope
that my intepretation of Eddie lives up to the listener's image.
Do
you get fed up with these so called "comic scams" that are always,
predictably, doomed to failure? Don't you think that Eddie would have
learnt anything by now?
Lavvinia Smuck, Lady (well, ish)
I
really do enjoy Eddie's scams. OK, many of them don’t pay off, but
sometimes they do (he made a packet on the nettle eating in the end, thanks
to Bert). Who dares wins!
 Trevor,
did you have to pay for your famous horned cowboy hat yourself, or did
the BBC provide it?
Peet McKimmie
Well
Peet, the hat with horns was mentioned in the Archers on the odd occasion
and when I made a record as Eddie I got myself a cowboy hat and managed
to put some very large horns on it held together with a coat hanger. It
was very uncomfortable. However, in the early 1980s the Archers did a
theatre show and I asked the wardrobe department if they would kindly
make me another for my use. It has been getting smaller over the years
because my dog keeps chewing on the horns!
Hi
Eddie - you don’t seem to have worn your hat with horns on it for
some time now. Do you still have it?
Pauline, Eastbourne
You are right. Eddie has not been heard to wear his hat with horns for
some time but I think that he had had other things on his mind, other
than his country and western singing, over the last couple of years. Mind
you, I don't think that Clarrie is that keen on it. She once threw it
over the village green if I remember rightly. Perhaps one of his garden
gnomes is wearing it at the moment!
I
think you do a great job acting Eddie! Well done and many thanks for years
of entertainment!
My questions are:
1. What was Eddie’s funniest moment?
2. Is Eddie’s accent close to your own?
3. Have you ever met any "real" Eddies, who have had a similar
experience in farming?
Thanks and best wishes
Sue Burden
Thanks
for your questions Sue.
1. Eddie has had so many funny moments over the years, it’s hard
to pick one. Being Wishy Washy in both productions of Aladdin on the same
night was very funny for the listeners, although it was a right mess for
Eddie!
2. I don't talk in real life like Eddie but I easily drop into it - especially
after a couple of pints.
3. I do actually live in the country and yes I have meet the odd Eddie
who definitely have had Eddie-like experiences. It makes me smile. You
see, the Archers is real!
What
ever happened to Baggy and Snatch ( Foster? ) and what were their real
names?
Chris Napier
Baggy and Snatch are still around Borsetshire somewhere up to no good.
But who knows, they may rear their heads again. I don't think their real
names have ever been mentioned - but I once heard that Baggy was based
on a real person, also called Baggy.
Do
you think we could ever have a map of Ambridge and surrounding districts
to see how far away the farms are from each other, who lives where, how
far Borchester is, where 'The Bull" is, etc?? I'd love to be able
to visualise all this as I listen!
An avid fan in Sydney
Ethna Gallacher
It
is nice to hear from you from Sydney, Ethna. There is an official map
of Ambridge, Borchester and Borsetshire, which you can buy online from
the Archers Addicts website.
And the producer of this website tells me that they are currently working
on an interactive map, too. But what ever the distance is from farm to
farm etc. I am sure that you can always find Eddie via The Bull.
Editors
note: Details of the map
Hi,
Trevor! Thanks for many years of fine entertainment as Ambridge's Loveable
Rogue. Have you managed to escape typecasting to play more sophisticated
roles? How difficult is it for you actors to disguise your very well known
voices? And finally, is your ne'er do well son Ed going to be a chip of
your old block or is he a dead ringer for his notorious uncle Alf?
Sue
Thank
you for your kind comments. Yes, I have managed to escape typecasting
sometimes. I love the medium of radio and it is nice to play different
roles. And although I have worked in TV and the theatre, I must admit
it is nice to return to Eddie. I have kind of grown up with him. I think
I talk totally differently to Eddie, but sometimes my voice has been spotted
by a keen eared-listener. I don't know how Ed is going to end up. Eddie
sticks up for him but you might be right, he may have a little bit of
Uncle Alf in him. Time will tell.
Previous
'Backstage' story>>
<<Back
|
