Before appearing on Neighbours, what sort of acting work did you have?
I have worked in film, television, radio and on stage since 1977. I won't bore you with my full biography but the show that brought me to the attention of the Neighbour's producers was an ABC/ Grundy co-production called Embassy that I worked on for three years in the early nineties. My full biography can be seen at www.alanfletcher.net
What inspired you to pursue acting?
I had a passion to act from a young age but it was fuelled by my English teachers in Secondary school. They mounted contempory and classic theatre productions that I inevitably appeared in.
You first appeared on Neighbours in 1994, what was it like to join the cast at that time? Where you prepared for the popularity of Karl and the Kennedy family?
I was quite unaware of Neighbour's popularity in the UK when I joined the show in 1994. For me it was just another one year job! Of course I adored being re-united with Jackie Woodburne and very quickly the closeness within the Kennedy family grew and audiences responded. The love for the Kennedy's over all these years has been a wonderful surprise.
I have worked in film, television, radio and on stage since 1977. I won't bore you with my full biography but the show that brought me to the attention of the Neighbour's producers was an ABC/ Grundy co-production called Embassy that I worked on for three years in the early nineties. My full biography can be seen at www.alanfletcher.net
What inspired you to pursue acting?
I had a passion to act from a young age but it was fuelled by my English teachers in Secondary school. They mounted contempory and classic theatre productions that I inevitably appeared in.
You first appeared on Neighbours in 1994, what was it like to join the cast at that time? Where you prepared for the popularity of Karl and the Kennedy family?
I was quite unaware of Neighbour's popularity in the UK when I joined the show in 1994. For me it was just another one year job! Of course I adored being re-united with Jackie Woodburne and very quickly the closeness within the Kennedy family grew and audiences responded. The love for the Kennedy's over all these years has been a wonderful surprise.
Are there any similarities between you and Karl?
We have the same hair and that's about it. He's conservative and I'm not. His music is rubbish and I would like to think mine isn't. He has had affairs and I haven't.
Karl has had a wondering eye over the years. What was it like working with Nicola Charles and Natalie Bassingthwaighte? Did you enjoy the love triangle story lines?The stories with Natalie and Nicola will always be stand outs for me. Both ladies were wonderful to work with.
Are there any story lines or scenes that you particularly enjoyed, or disliked, filming?
I like the silly comedy story lines a lot. Like when Karl was stealing garden gnomes, or doing DNA analysis on the doggie poop on his lawn to determine the pooch's owner.
Are there any cast members you would like to work with more?
Working with Eve Morey and Ryan Moloney (Sonya and Toadie) is a joy as they are very inventive with their scenes. I would like to do more with them. And any scene withy Stefan Dennis is a joy. We laugh like children at each other's antics.
Your early years on the show saw you work alongside the late Anne Haddy. What was it like working with her?
Anne was the undisputed Queen of Neighbours. Her wealth of knowledge and extraordinary professional skills meant she was a revered and respected cast member. She will always be deeply missed.
We have the same hair and that's about it. He's conservative and I'm not. His music is rubbish and I would like to think mine isn't. He has had affairs and I haven't.
Karl has had a wondering eye over the years. What was it like working with Nicola Charles and Natalie Bassingthwaighte? Did you enjoy the love triangle story lines?The stories with Natalie and Nicola will always be stand outs for me. Both ladies were wonderful to work with.
Are there any story lines or scenes that you particularly enjoyed, or disliked, filming?
I like the silly comedy story lines a lot. Like when Karl was stealing garden gnomes, or doing DNA analysis on the doggie poop on his lawn to determine the pooch's owner.
Are there any cast members you would like to work with more?
Working with Eve Morey and Ryan Moloney (Sonya and Toadie) is a joy as they are very inventive with their scenes. I would like to do more with them. And any scene withy Stefan Dennis is a joy. We laugh like children at each other's antics.
Your early years on the show saw you work alongside the late Anne Haddy. What was it like working with her?
Anne was the undisputed Queen of Neighbours. Her wealth of knowledge and extraordinary professional skills meant she was a revered and respected cast member. She will always be deeply missed.
Even though there have been a number of road bumps, Karl and Susan have stilled remained a strong couple over the years. Why do think they keep coming back to each other?
Their love for each other is stronger than any issue that they will ever confront. Truly two people destined to be together because they are at their best in each other's company.
In 2004, original cast member Stefan Dennis returned to the show. What has it been like working with Stefan? Will Karl and Paul ever become good friends?
Stefan and I are the best of mates. We love working together because the Karl/ Paul relationship is pure vitriol and we can have enormous fun letting the characters ramp each other up.
How much input do you have into your story lines? Is there anything you would change about the character or his story?
We are often asked our opinion of story ideas and our ideas are welcome. I am very happy with the direction my character continues to go in and wouldn't change a thing.
Karl and Susan will be celebrating their 20th anniversary this year. How much have you evolved as an actor over these years? How much have Karl and Susan evolved?
The characters of Karl and Susan have evolved enormously over the years to the point where they are vastly different people to those who showed up on Ramsay Street in 1994. As an actor I think I have become more relaxed and spontaneous in my work.
Last year, Sarah Beaumont returned to Erinsborough. What was it like working with Nicola again after fourteen years? Did you enjoy revisiting the Susan/Karl/Sarah story line and revealing their affair was more than fans knew?
The Karl/Sarah/Susan storyline was immense in terms of the growth of the characters and the impact they had on the show. Having Nicola back was fantastic because her return was very cleverly crafted to not be clichéd. It was so much fun to see Nicola again and learn of the amazing life journey she has been on for the last 14 years.
Were you a fan of Neighbours before you joined the cast? Do you watch the show these days?
My interest in Neighbours was tweeked when I worked on the show in 1987. However, I was not an avid watcher. These days I catch up on Neighbours via tablet, phone , or catchup TV whenever I can.
Karl and Susan have always been the parents of the street. Since Summer left at the beginning of last year, No. 28 has been a bit quiet. Will Karl and Susan take in any more teens?
I hope so! The good thing is the Kennedy house will be getting a lot of visitors this year! Can't say too much.
Their love for each other is stronger than any issue that they will ever confront. Truly two people destined to be together because they are at their best in each other's company.
In 2004, original cast member Stefan Dennis returned to the show. What has it been like working with Stefan? Will Karl and Paul ever become good friends?
Stefan and I are the best of mates. We love working together because the Karl/ Paul relationship is pure vitriol and we can have enormous fun letting the characters ramp each other up.
How much input do you have into your story lines? Is there anything you would change about the character or his story?
We are often asked our opinion of story ideas and our ideas are welcome. I am very happy with the direction my character continues to go in and wouldn't change a thing.
Karl and Susan will be celebrating their 20th anniversary this year. How much have you evolved as an actor over these years? How much have Karl and Susan evolved?
The characters of Karl and Susan have evolved enormously over the years to the point where they are vastly different people to those who showed up on Ramsay Street in 1994. As an actor I think I have become more relaxed and spontaneous in my work.
Last year, Sarah Beaumont returned to Erinsborough. What was it like working with Nicola again after fourteen years? Did you enjoy revisiting the Susan/Karl/Sarah story line and revealing their affair was more than fans knew?
The Karl/Sarah/Susan storyline was immense in terms of the growth of the characters and the impact they had on the show. Having Nicola back was fantastic because her return was very cleverly crafted to not be clichéd. It was so much fun to see Nicola again and learn of the amazing life journey she has been on for the last 14 years.
Were you a fan of Neighbours before you joined the cast? Do you watch the show these days?
My interest in Neighbours was tweeked when I worked on the show in 1987. However, I was not an avid watcher. These days I catch up on Neighbours via tablet, phone , or catchup TV whenever I can.
Karl and Susan have always been the parents of the street. Since Summer left at the beginning of last year, No. 28 has been a bit quiet. Will Karl and Susan take in any more teens?
I hope so! The good thing is the Kennedy house will be getting a lot of visitors this year! Can't say too much.
Since Karl and Susan are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, is there anything you can reveal about the celebrations?
See previous question. There will be lots of little moments covering Kennedy family 20 years.
You released a Christmas single, ‘If You Want A Happy Christmas’ last year. What inspired you to write a Christmas song?
I love Christmas music and I was approached by Laura Monaghan to do a Christmas cover with her "Andrews Sisters" style harmony group The Pacific Belles. Rather than do a cover we created an original Christmas song. I hope people will buy it every Christmas!
Karl is also very musical, and the Right Prescription has been revived with the addition of Georgia. However, it’s not the only musical act Karl has had. Will Oodles O' Noodles ever make a reappearance?
I so wish Oodles would play again. I'll suggest it.
Seeing as you are still on the show, what sort of shenanigans happen behind the camera?
Heaps but all of it good clean fun.
Finally, for a show that nearly didn’t make its first anniversary, it’s amazing to see it approach 7000 episodes and a 30th anniversary. What do you think is the secret of the ongoing success of Neighbours?
I think Neighbours is loved because it has a perfect blend of strong drama and lighter, more humorous moments. Also, it is full of characters that the public can relate to.
See previous question. There will be lots of little moments covering Kennedy family 20 years.
You released a Christmas single, ‘If You Want A Happy Christmas’ last year. What inspired you to write a Christmas song?
I love Christmas music and I was approached by Laura Monaghan to do a Christmas cover with her "Andrews Sisters" style harmony group The Pacific Belles. Rather than do a cover we created an original Christmas song. I hope people will buy it every Christmas!
Karl is also very musical, and the Right Prescription has been revived with the addition of Georgia. However, it’s not the only musical act Karl has had. Will Oodles O' Noodles ever make a reappearance?
I so wish Oodles would play again. I'll suggest it.
Seeing as you are still on the show, what sort of shenanigans happen behind the camera?
Heaps but all of it good clean fun.
Finally, for a show that nearly didn’t make its first anniversary, it’s amazing to see it approach 7000 episodes and a 30th anniversary. What do you think is the secret of the ongoing success of Neighbours?
I think Neighbours is loved because it has a perfect blend of strong drama and lighter, more humorous moments. Also, it is full of characters that the public can relate to.
Interviewed March 2014