DAVID K. BARNES - WRITER
  • Dramaturgy / Consultancy
  • Audio Work
    • Wooden Overcoats
    • Drayton Trench
    • Other productions
  • Stage Work
    • The Awkward Ghost
    • Birthday Suit
    • Games of Love and Chance
    • Monkey
    • Timothy
  • About Me
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Credits

Wooden Overcoats - Episodes 4 & 5

22/10/2015

0 Comments

 
It's been a remarkably busy nine days! Post-production on the series continues apace. In the midst of it all, we held our successful second Live Show. And on Tuesday, I was interviewed on BBC Radio twice - Radio Jersey in the morning, and Radio Guernsey in the evening - to talk about Wooden Overcoats and the island of Piffling. Rather splendidly, small fan communities have begun to spring up, with discussions about the characters and where the emotional arcs are headed. It's absolutely marvellous that people are already invested in our series and we're incredibly grateful.
Picture
Episode 4 is Tempting Fête by my own sweet self. Rudyard Funn is reluctantly tasked with organising Piffling Vale's first fête in eleven years. Whilst Antigone and Georgie help as best they can, Rudyard's ideas are thrown into turmoil after a chance remark from Eric Chapman.

After three episodes that established the premise of the series and the core relationships of the central characters, I wanted to explore Piffling Vale itself. We see the drastically underfunded but eternally optimistic village council in action. We delve into the matter of community spirit and what it means to be a part of Piffling. And we see Eric Chapman, already perfectly integrated into his new surroundings, continuing to increase his reputation, whilst Rudyard remains vehemently baffled at how things are changing so rapidly around him.

You'll be delighted by the return of Steve Hodson as the erratic Mayor Desmond Desmond. Andy Secombe remains on hand as Reverend Wavering, joyful as ever. And big plaudits go to our guest star Catriona Knox (BBC2's Charlie Brooker's Weekly / Election Wipe, Radio 4's Mission Improbable),  delivering a highly spirited performance as the infamous Lady Templar.
Picture
 Then it's onto Episode 5: She Stoops to Conquer by T. A. Woodsmith. When I first had coffee with Tiff to find out what she wanted to do with Wooden Overcoats, her instant reaction was: "I want to write an episode about Antigone." At that point, all we had was a draft of my Episode 1, in which Antigone is very much a supporting character. But it swiftly became apparent that Rudyard's acerbic sister - a master mortician hiding a deep-seated and entirely resentful lust for her feared business rival, Eric Chapman - was destined to drive a number of the series' plots. And Tiff's Episode 5 gives us Antigone at her most determined so far.

Fearing a life of loneliness and despair, Antigone seeks Georgie's advice on how to bring out the flirtier side of her nature. But her uneasy voyage of self discovery is hi-jacked by Rudyard, who requires her to seduce a rich and valuable new client...

There are so many things to like about this episode, not least Beth Eyre's wonderfully funny performance as an Antigone firmly out of her comfort zone. We get to see the domestic side of Funn Funerals, as Rudyard, Antigone and Georgie argue at the breakfast table. Eric Chapman finds himself faced with a client he can't win over with his charm. And there's a powerhouse portrayal of a smooth and utter bastard from Max Olesker (BBC1's W1A, BBC Radio 4's The Casebook of Max and Ivan) as Seymour Prophitte. "I haven't spent two decades getting filthy rich just to spend it all on women, Lamborghini's and an incredibly heavy pocket watch."

As ever, you can subscribe to us on iTunes or from your preferred podcast client, or listen to us on the Wooden Overcoats website.

Enjoy yourselves!
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    David K. Barnes

    Hello! 

    Archives

    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    April 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    April 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014

    RSS Feed