Before appearing on Neighbours, what sort of acting work did you have?
I appeared on Neighbours as a few different characters. My first character was Jamie Lee Dugan, and previous to that role I had filmed my first television role on an Australian show called “Law of the Land”. I was around 15 years old at that stage. Being quite young I had only really done drama classes before that, both in and out of school.
What inspired you to pursue acting?
I started speech and drama classes when I was about 8 years old and thoroughly enjoyed it. When I was around 12 my friend suggested that I audition for her acting agency and I got in. After that it all just seemed like the natural choice.
You first appeared on Neighbours in 1997 in a small guest role, what was it like to join the cast at that time?
I spent most of my scenes with granny Helen, who was great. She gave me advice on how to work with the camera, and things like that. Being a guest role however, you don’t really feel like you are part of the cast. I had to take time off school and it was quite a strange experience for me to be picked up by a driver, and filming in the early hours of the morning. It was such a long time ago now though I don’t remember much. I do however remember being disappointed that I didn’t get to be there when they blew up the bus that my character had set on fire. I guess that was a safety thing.
I appeared on Neighbours as a few different characters. My first character was Jamie Lee Dugan, and previous to that role I had filmed my first television role on an Australian show called “Law of the Land”. I was around 15 years old at that stage. Being quite young I had only really done drama classes before that, both in and out of school.
What inspired you to pursue acting?
I started speech and drama classes when I was about 8 years old and thoroughly enjoyed it. When I was around 12 my friend suggested that I audition for her acting agency and I got in. After that it all just seemed like the natural choice.
You first appeared on Neighbours in 1997 in a small guest role, what was it like to join the cast at that time?
I spent most of my scenes with granny Helen, who was great. She gave me advice on how to work with the camera, and things like that. Being a guest role however, you don’t really feel like you are part of the cast. I had to take time off school and it was quite a strange experience for me to be picked up by a driver, and filming in the early hours of the morning. It was such a long time ago now though I don’t remember much. I do however remember being disappointed that I didn’t get to be there when they blew up the bus that my character had set on fire. I guess that was a safety thing.
Your first stint saw you work with the late Anne Haddy, what was it like working with such an iconic member of the series?
Anne Haddy was lovely, and very experienced. All the cast and crew had great respect for her. She wasn’t only an iconic member but a lovely lady too. I know a few people were very sad to see her suffer in her last few years.
You then returned in 2000 for the guest role of Allana Truman, what was it like returning and being the love interest of regular character Lance Wilkinson?
One of the first scenes I filmed with Andrew Bibby was our very first kiss scene. I had never had to kiss on screen or stage before and I felt extremely awkward about it. Andrew took me behind the set and we had a ‘practise’ kiss. I’m pretty sure I went bright red after it. The kiss scene was so long and the camera was going around and around us and we had to film so many takes because I think the director could tell how awkward I was. Andrew was lovely to me though, and I know the writers really enjoyed writing our scenes as they could get really creative with us.
Are there any similarities between you and Allana?
Allana was a Star Trek fan and I had never even watched a Star Trek film or show. I did love filming the scene where I pretend to be princess Leia though. She was a fun character to play, and I got to develop her on screen for over three or four months. I haven’t had another opportunity to do so.
What was it like being a guest character in series?
I found it a little hard to fit in at first especially because a lot of my scenes were with the boys who already had a strong friendship going, which made me feel like a bit of an outsider. The main cast see a lot of people come and go, and I think back then I was a little “cool for school” so I probably didn’t try to fit in.
In order for the pair to date, Allana made Lance complete the seven labours. What did you think of this story line?
Allana was an unusual character, and I think the tasks she made him complete were quite fun, although I lot of the filming of these labours took place without me. My character had a long introduction before you actually saw her on screen.
Seeing as Allana dated Lance, what was is like working with Andrew Bibby?
Andrew Bibby was lovely, and made me feel comfortable working with him. We had a lot of scenes alone so it would have been really hard if we didn’t get along.
Anne Haddy was lovely, and very experienced. All the cast and crew had great respect for her. She wasn’t only an iconic member but a lovely lady too. I know a few people were very sad to see her suffer in her last few years.
You then returned in 2000 for the guest role of Allana Truman, what was it like returning and being the love interest of regular character Lance Wilkinson?
One of the first scenes I filmed with Andrew Bibby was our very first kiss scene. I had never had to kiss on screen or stage before and I felt extremely awkward about it. Andrew took me behind the set and we had a ‘practise’ kiss. I’m pretty sure I went bright red after it. The kiss scene was so long and the camera was going around and around us and we had to film so many takes because I think the director could tell how awkward I was. Andrew was lovely to me though, and I know the writers really enjoyed writing our scenes as they could get really creative with us.
Are there any similarities between you and Allana?
Allana was a Star Trek fan and I had never even watched a Star Trek film or show. I did love filming the scene where I pretend to be princess Leia though. She was a fun character to play, and I got to develop her on screen for over three or four months. I haven’t had another opportunity to do so.
What was it like being a guest character in series?
I found it a little hard to fit in at first especially because a lot of my scenes were with the boys who already had a strong friendship going, which made me feel like a bit of an outsider. The main cast see a lot of people come and go, and I think back then I was a little “cool for school” so I probably didn’t try to fit in.
In order for the pair to date, Allana made Lance complete the seven labours. What did you think of this story line?
Allana was an unusual character, and I think the tasks she made him complete were quite fun, although I lot of the filming of these labours took place without me. My character had a long introduction before you actually saw her on screen.
Seeing as Allana dated Lance, what was is like working with Andrew Bibby?
Andrew Bibby was lovely, and made me feel comfortable working with him. We had a lot of scenes alone so it would have been really hard if we didn’t get along.
Were there any story lines or scenes that you particularly enjoyed, or disliked, filming?
I enjoyed dressing up in her crazy costumes or clothes, and I got to keep some of the outfits as the wardrobe department said they wouldn’t for anyone else. (I am tiny sized). The only thing I dislike was filming in the cold early mornings.
Lance and Allana left to tour the sci-if conventions in the US, and even started their own convention. What did you think of their exit?
Allana was written into the show to take Lance out of the show as Andrew Bibby finished his contract and I think was off to study at WAAPA. I thought their exit was fitting, considering they met at a Star Trek convention. I think they travelled around America for months on end. Just a pity we didn’t get to actually do that, I would have loved a trip around America!
Are there any cast members you wished to of worked with more?
I think I got to work with most of the cast members, everyone was good to work with.
Are you still in touch with any of your former co-stars?
Unfortunately not. I went overseas shortly after I filmed on Neighbours and didn’t remain in touch with anybody.
Two episodes saw Human Nature visit Ramsay Street, even performing at the Deb after-party at No.30, where Allana and Lance were spending the night. Did you enjoy these episodes and meeting the group?
I didn’t really get to met the group. A few of them were hanging around in the green room, but again being an awkward teenager I didn’t say hello. I didn’t really know much of their music, I was into indie rock’n roll, and I guess I still am.
I enjoyed dressing up in her crazy costumes or clothes, and I got to keep some of the outfits as the wardrobe department said they wouldn’t for anyone else. (I am tiny sized). The only thing I dislike was filming in the cold early mornings.
Lance and Allana left to tour the sci-if conventions in the US, and even started their own convention. What did you think of their exit?
Allana was written into the show to take Lance out of the show as Andrew Bibby finished his contract and I think was off to study at WAAPA. I thought their exit was fitting, considering they met at a Star Trek convention. I think they travelled around America for months on end. Just a pity we didn’t get to actually do that, I would have loved a trip around America!
Are there any cast members you wished to of worked with more?
I think I got to work with most of the cast members, everyone was good to work with.
Are you still in touch with any of your former co-stars?
Unfortunately not. I went overseas shortly after I filmed on Neighbours and didn’t remain in touch with anybody.
Two episodes saw Human Nature visit Ramsay Street, even performing at the Deb after-party at No.30, where Allana and Lance were spending the night. Did you enjoy these episodes and meeting the group?
I didn’t really get to met the group. A few of them were hanging around in the green room, but again being an awkward teenager I didn’t say hello. I didn’t really know much of their music, I was into indie rock’n roll, and I guess I still am.
You left thirteen years ago, what have you done since moving away from Ramsay Street?
Oh geez don’t remind me! Since then I have done a lot of theatre, I have also filmed a few guest roles on other Australian TV shows and made some short films such as “Inanimate Objects”. I’m currently looking at producing my own feature film.
Is there anything you would have changed about the character or her story?
No. I’m not a writer though. I enjoyed Allana, or Dorothy as was her real name, and I know the writers enjoyed writing her, so I’m happy with that.
Would you ever consider returning to the show? If so, how would you like your character to return?
Yes I would consider returning to the show, if they wanted me back. Maybe Lance and Allana have had little Star Trek babies!
Were you a fan of Neighbours before you joined the cast? Do you watch the show these days?
I watched it on and off over the years. Funnily enough at the time it was “uncool” to be watching Neighbours and every time I told people I was filming on the show they’d say “I don’t watch it but who do you play?” and then they would know everyone on the show and what the storyline was, so I think everyone secretly watched it. I unfortunately don’t watch the show anymore, I am busy almost every night at that time so don’t get to watch much TV.
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?
7000 episodes is a huge accomplishment and I’m not sure I do know the secret. The shows producers seem to know how to continually reinvent themselves so as to appeal to the next generation, and I guess the show is easy to watch and easy to tune in too, you don’t have to know what has happened in previous seasons. There is always so much going on. I think if people knew the secret to the show they would make another show like it but Australian TV doesn’t seem to be able to replicate it very easily.
Oh geez don’t remind me! Since then I have done a lot of theatre, I have also filmed a few guest roles on other Australian TV shows and made some short films such as “Inanimate Objects”. I’m currently looking at producing my own feature film.
Is there anything you would have changed about the character or her story?
No. I’m not a writer though. I enjoyed Allana, or Dorothy as was her real name, and I know the writers enjoyed writing her, so I’m happy with that.
Would you ever consider returning to the show? If so, how would you like your character to return?
Yes I would consider returning to the show, if they wanted me back. Maybe Lance and Allana have had little Star Trek babies!
Were you a fan of Neighbours before you joined the cast? Do you watch the show these days?
I watched it on and off over the years. Funnily enough at the time it was “uncool” to be watching Neighbours and every time I told people I was filming on the show they’d say “I don’t watch it but who do you play?” and then they would know everyone on the show and what the storyline was, so I think everyone secretly watched it. I unfortunately don’t watch the show anymore, I am busy almost every night at that time so don’t get to watch much TV.
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?
7000 episodes is a huge accomplishment and I’m not sure I do know the secret. The shows producers seem to know how to continually reinvent themselves so as to appeal to the next generation, and I guess the show is easy to watch and easy to tune in too, you don’t have to know what has happened in previous seasons. There is always so much going on. I think if people knew the secret to the show they would make another show like it but Australian TV doesn’t seem to be able to replicate it very easily.
Interviewed February 2014