WE CAME, WE SHOT, WE CHOMPED.

by Sylvia Bull

Monday the 29th September 2003 had been set aside for filming our probable entry for the forthcoming North v South competition. And so it was that the production team of John Gannaway, Jack Ligertwood, Diggie, Bernie and Norman and myself assembled at the palatial home of Sheila and Ron Everitt in Ewell. Two days before filming Cilla Conway who is the female lead in the film rang Norman to relate the sad news that her friend who had (been) volunteered to act opposite her had gone down with flu and wouldn’t be available. This left us with a serious problem because when Norman looked at the spreadsheet he had drawn up to show various members availability he found there was no other time that suited everyone. Norman and I looked at each other and scratched our heads wondering who we could persuade to help us out. I then had one of my bright ideas (they are few and far between but usually prove fruitful). We phoned our friend John who has a son named Matt who is a very keen amateur actor who is looking to break into the professional ranks. Matt fortunately was at home and when Norman outlined the requirements Matt quite literally jumped at the opportunity(thank goodness!). He had just over 24 hours to learn his lines (an onerous task when you remember that I had three lines to speak when we filmed “The Committee” and fluffed them each and every time I attempted them). This coupled with the fact that he had never set eyes on anyone at EC&VS other than Norman and myself he did a wonderful job for us. So, like I say we arrived at Sheila and Ron’s at about 2p.m. and Matt was standing on the drive chatting to the third member of our cast Arthur Trevitt. Matt being the likeable young man he is had already introduced himself to Arthur and they appeared to be getting on like the proverbial house on fire.

next