Louis de Bernières’ Sunday Morning at the Centre of the World at the Southwark Playhouse
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Some of what I didn't see... courtesy of Jane Hobson
- Some of what I didn’t see… courtesy of Jane Hobson
“A play for voices” say the marketing leaflets for theatre company Bad Physics‘ performance of Louis de Bernières’ play – ripped from the radio and put onstage for the first time. I went to the gala performance, curious to see how a radio play can be adapted for stage – and was in for a surprise.
When you enter the freezing Southwark Playhouse, cast members give you a blindfold. Immediately you are deprived of the sense of sight. You don’t have to wear it all the time – or at all – but I chose to keep mine on (I’d taken off my glasses anyway and am totally blind without them).
If you do choose to “peek” or to refuse a blindfold – and there’s a lot of activity to watch if you do, as the cast haven’t given up on the acting side of things. Not that I’d know of course…
I was ushered blind to my seat, while voices chattered around me. It was very disorientating. Occasionally a “cat” miawed in my ear, there was the sound – and the smell – of bacon sizzling in a pan, a woman sang in the shower (later I discovered she was singing into a plastic cup), and a “dog” brushed past my legs.
Everything conjured up the “image” (for want of a better word) of Earlsfield, London, on a Sunday morning. There wasn’t much of a storyline, but in classic de Bernières style, you got a real sense of a place, a time, an atmosphere and above all the characters who were integral to creating it. And sure enough, I began to imagine the whole scene in my mind’s eye.
“When you listen to a radio drama or read a novel everything is in your head,” said director Amy Draper.
Seeing the actors afterwards in the post-show discussion was very peculiar. One woman who had “peeked” from under her blindfold said that although there was some great acting going on onstage, she had been faced with that bitter disappointment akin to watching a film after reading the book, where “in the flesh” doesn’t quite match up your imagination.
However, an American in the audience did say she had to give up on the blindfold, as she had been unable to fathom the “British accents” onstage.
I came away realising how much productions can skimp on the other senses when they get sidetracked by flashy costumes and complex actions.
“People always talk about going to see a play,” said Louis de Bernières (of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin fame). “But I think it’s so much more important to listen and to feel the play too.” And my goodness, we did.
The show runs at the Southwark Playhouse from 22 March – 16 April. Tickets £6-£16. Call 020 7407 0234 or visit www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk
Sounds Like Journalism 
Exclusive Interview: Jacqui Oatley
She was the first female commentator on Match of the Day back in 2007 and has since been a vital member of the BBC’s coverage. I caught up with Jacqui for a quick chat about all things audio……….
Route into broadcasting/radio work……
I was doing something else I wasn’t interested in and so I decided to change career, scoured the internet for journalists and have a look how they got into it. I studied print journalism and radio production at evening classes while broadcasting on hospital radio. Then I gave up my job and flat, spent a summer sleeping on friends’ floors whilst doing work experience full time.
I then undertook the Broadcast Journalism Diploma at Birmingham. While I was there I worked doing non- league football for Radio League so when I finished my course I then had some freelance work for them.
First professional broadcast for BBC Radio Leeds…..
It was a scary moment. I spent the day frantically researching Wakefield and Worksop which almost impossible. It was a really steep learning curve and even though it was very difficult I really enjoyed it and showed me I was in the right career, you’ve got to start somewhere!
Advice on getting into commentating/broadcasting….
Be prepared to work extremely hard and to to work on subjects that aren’t your ideal and don’t narrow your options down too much. As a sports journalist you should be able to be sent to anything and so the more employable you are the more opportunities you’ll get. You work your way towards your ideal by getting to know people and taking any opportunity. Be prepared to work anywhere in the country or even abroad. Be prepared to put aside your social life because I think the people that idealise that narrow down their options. You’ve got to be willing, keen, able and hard working for any amount of hours and on weekends.
What makes a good commentator/broadcaster….
I thing when it comes to radio you need somebody who is able to paint pictures. You need to have the vocabulary to describe a situation whether it’s dark, light or whether there are thousands of bright red bucket seats left. You need to have a good voice and a good personality because if you’re quite monotonous then that is very difficult to connect with.
I think you need good banter, we’re not talking about sport which ultimately is about entertainment and that is why we are all so obsessed with it. Especially in radio commentary I think if you can have some banter, which I love doing, and have a good rapour with whoever you’re working with then I think it makes it much easier and more enjoyable for the audience.
Technical howlers…..
Yeh the worst was with Arsene Wenger when it was the final interviews before Highbury was closed down. I sat down in a room with him, he gave me the loveliest interview, just the best interview I’ve done with him as he was wax lyrical about marble halls. Then afterwards I tried to edit something directly on the mini disk and pressed delete all instead of delete clip. It was supposed to go out for the whole of the BBC, not just 5 Live but local radio were relying on it.
I was absolutely devastated but bless Wenger, I had to wait another two hours for him to finish other interviews, but I managed to grab him at the end for a couple of minutes but his answers were much shorter and I’ve never forgiven myself for that. I certainly learned my lesson!
Highlight so far….
I would say going to the World Cup in South Africa last year as a commentator for 5 live was awesome. My mum is South African so it was a real thrill to be there and briefly see my relatives. It was amazing to go back to a country I know so well and see them put on such a good show. Unfortunately the football wasn’t always the best actually the football was probably the downside of it. You had people partying all over, it was wonderful and a real privilege to be there. Also to work with summarisers such as David Pleat, Graham Taylor, Danny Mills it was really enjoyable to spend time with these colleagues
Into the future…..
I would love to work at the Olympics, I think it is going to be absolutely amazing, certainly for the football but for anything else that comes up.
Tweeting away….
I do it mainly because I enjoy it, I’m a bit of an information junkie. But it is quite addictive. It is an important way for networking, journalism is all about information and contacts so it is a very useful tool.