Backstabbers Cast
Putting faces to names
When I’m creating characters I usually have an image in my head of who would play them in the movie, just to have an image I can return to. I find it keeps things on track, character-wise if I can hear their voice in my head. A mood board of faces/ performance styles which act as a baseline for consistency.
Backstabbers is a story about an Am-Dram community - the first of six books - meaning there are LOTS of characters. So here’s a breakdown of the fantasy cast list I had in mind when writing the many characters!
Disclaimer: None of the actors mentioned are involved with my book/project - they are simply inspiration.
MAIN CAST
STUART OSTRIDGE
18-year-old Stu is an internalised young man with a far-away look in his eyes, always dreaming of, a better life when all his dreams come true. Of course they won’t, but he shares a lot of similarities with Luke Skywalker in A New Hope: destined for a life of boredom but willing to take a shot at the impossible.
LENA DARROW
19-year-old Lena has an other-worldliness - or weirdness - which sets her apart from most young women her age. But she also has a rough ‘n tough side of her personality: She isn’t afraid to go after what she wants, even if it means treading on a few heads...
Unlike her friend Paula’s attempts at social climbing, Lena has the talent to go far. She knows she’s a big fish in a small pond and is ready to leave the rest behind.
ALAN GOULD
18 years old, Alan is a record shop worker by day and a pub rock star by night. Stu’s childhood friend, he looks up to Alan, even if his attempts at superstardom are maligned by his inability to know what day it is.
GARY BLENNY
Anti-establishment, anti-everything upstart Gary is a composite of many people, but all possess an unpredictable edge.
Someone with a mile-wide antagonistic streak, like Phil Daniels’ character in Mike Leigh’s Meantime.
Part Wolfie from Citizen Smith…
… with the roguishness of Ian Dury…
… and the punky edge of The Stranglers’ Hugh Cornwell…
But then I saw this image of a young Rik Mayall, and there he was.
TABITHA FOTHERGILL
Lena’s best friend, 20-year-old Jane Austen-loving Tabitha would consider herself a refined lady of high standards. In reality, she is a clunky over-theatrical actress, six feet tall and sturdy: the total opposite of a dainty, witty and charming.
‘LITTLE’ J / JEREMY WRIGLEY
Little J worships three Gods: Keith Chegwin, Noel Edmonds and Steve Wright. Somewhere in that mix is Little J. A wacky, bit-zany, safe ‘n cuddly BBC suitable-for-family-fun presenter, who just happens to possess a dark obsession with the occult.
‘BIG’ J / JUSTIN CATHRO
Preening, self-obsessed action man Big J claims to have been the stunt double of Lewis Collins, so naturally would bear a passing resemblance to the man who should have been James Bond. He’s all Adidas tracksuits and C&A man-about-town. There’s a bullying mean streak, reminiscent of John Travolta in Carrie: He’s happiest when he’s putting others down to make himself look good.
RYAN DEUTSCH
21 years old, androgynous narcissist theatre actor/director Ryan possesses the ambition to succeed but cannot relate to other human beings. Success is only a matter of time for Ryan, and he’s bored waiting for it.
CELIA LANDAKER
Celia had a brush with fame, but her television career stalled before it got going. So she plumped for being the grand dame of the next best thing: Am-Dram. A place where she was certain to rule. Leader of the Arts Guild, she now has her sights set on becoming the artistic director of the local theatre: To leave behind school halls and command a REAL stage. And she will stop at nothing to get her own way.
Celia is upper-middle-class with a wealthy businessman husband, is professional and above all others on the am-dram circuit, with the steely determination of Blakes 7 overlord Servalan.
SUPPORTING CAST
PAULA FRAYGRENT
Sassy social climber Paula is leaving her twenties and understands too well that time is against her. Her television career consists of an episode of Top of the Pops, waving at the camera whilst standing beside Dave Lee Travis.
Paula has relied on feminine wiles to get what she wants: She is dating nerdy Arts Counsellor Tony Nedwell in order to be seen at the right places, whilst having an affair with up-‘n-coming boozy thespian Hugh Batey. Hedging her bets, Paula is willing to do anything to be famous.
NIGEL CHAVIS
Nigel is a lonely dogsbody props man who lives with his unseen mother and is a member of many arts community clubs. A trumpet player in a brass band (along with Lena), Nigel is a vital member of the drama group because he owns a van and does all the jobs nobody else wants to. He is the softest, kindest character in the story, choosing to ignore the fact that nobody likes him.
BROOKES MANDERS
Brookes is a slobby slimebag of an ambulance-chasing journalist: Always thirsting for that big story which will take him all the way to Fleet Street, he can sensationalise the simplest of stories. When an actual murder occurs, he lacks the journalistic intuition to investigate; instead choosing to do what he does best: Attack and rubbish the community play at any opportunity.
HUGH BATEY
A brooding, hard-drinking mix of his actor Gods Oliver Reed and Robert Shaw, Hugh is a hot-headed brawling thespian who knows he’s the best there is. Never missing any opportunity to remind everybody of his late mother’s Hollywood connections, Hugh bides his time indulging in debauchery with Paula and frequenting the many pubs of Falking Hill.
VERNON PREBBLE / VIVIENNE PREBBLE
Initially opting for a Tim Spall-esque style of schlubbery, I finally settled on Adrian Scarborough. I’m a massive fan of Gavin and Stacey, and I love that scene with the oven gloves: That’s who Vernon is. A man who enjoys life’s simple things. An often overlooked and unappreciated pillar of the drama community, Vernon isn’t about the fame; more a custodian of tradition.
For Viv, I wanted someone a bit more prim/jolly hockey sticks, someone a bit 70’s sitcom Mum: Serious, but someone to tease and defend her husband when necessary, I plumped for Felicity Kendall and Barbara Mitchell: Someone to keep Vern in line, sharp-witted, stern yet motherly and full of community spirit.
I wanted to give Viv ‘n Vern a couples-who-look-like-each-other vibe: A Richard Briers/Felicity Kendall in ‘The Good Life’ vibe; self-sufficient, often muddy, and wearers of the occasional rugby top and Benny-from-Crossroads woolly hat.
MAX MONTEITH
Max is a shifty, by-the-book playwright who aspires for the respect lauded upon local “famous” writer Lawrence Wintercoat. He despises the actors who perform his work, regarding them as murderers.
The hands-in-pockets, pent-up rage. The small man with a controlling mind, Max is an egomaniac who controls his timid wife Melody. Not someone to mess with.
MELODY MONTEITH
Melody keeps her natural beauty hidden behind oversized glasses. That’s how their husband Max likes it. She eventually has her moment of Sandy-from-Grease transition from wallflower to hot stuff at the Eves Lodge masquerade (by dressing in fancy dress as Sandy from Grease).
IVAN STROUD
I first wrote Ivan as Steven Berkoff: A crazy man of theatre. Spitting at the audience, throwing chairs around…
… but then realised he had the dry, saltiness of Gary Oldman.
Ivan is an actor/playwright/director of in-yer-face theatre. Once-mooted as the next Terrence Stamp, Ivan has been relegated to supporting roles in TV shows, mostly due to his unnerving behaviour. He becomes Stu’s unwanted mentor; haunting him with cold wisdom and piercing eyes.
RICHARD SHEPPERTON
Shepperton is the ageing, decadent artistic director of the Bernard Saucier theatre. Once Sir Bernard Saucier’s assistant, Shepperton is eternally locked in nostalgia for the good old days and finds his position under threat from Celia Landaker.
I saw Shepperton as a rakish raconteur with a hint of Captain Hook panto villain; prone to theatrical outbursts and steeped in superstition.
BEDFORD BAKER
Dr. Baker is an am-dram ham and moneyed gynaecologist who has recently dumped his unglamorous wife Carrie for a young Swedish archaeologist named Elke (“a gold digger with an interest in old bones”). Dr. Baker has put aside his obsession with Lena (or has he?), claiming that Elke is the answer to his prayers. In collaboration with theatre manager Richard Shepperton, Baker steals The Prebbles idea and proposes a community play based on his “amazing life”, with himself and Elke in the lead roles. Naturally, this irks many people.
LAWRENCE WINTERCOAT
Lawrence Wintercoat is a “famed” local playwright with a secret side: He’s ex-MI5, which is handy when you’re trying to catch a killer. Aloof, he chooses to keep away from the am-dram circuit (who perform many of his plays) but later becomes the voice of reason for Stu when they team up to catch the killer.
GRAHAM HASTINGS
I wrote Graham with the imagined personality of Dave Lee Travis - if he hadn’t achieved fame on Radio One/Top of the Pops. The master of his own tiny domain (the arts centre), I wrote Graham with Steve Coogan in mind. For someone whose head was 90% hair. For this look, I opted for a mix of DLT and Jeff Lynne from ELO, tinted glasses and all.
MINOR CHARACTERS
Other characters were, visually, directly influenced by characters of that late 70’s era.:
ALISTAIR KRISTERS
The political mastermind always lurking in the background and pulling strings, Kristers’ look was based on:
Kristers was also inspired by the many voice-of-authority performances of legendary actor Geoffrey Palmer.
MICHAEL LANDAKER
Husband to Celia, wearer of roll-necks and quality cardigans, Michael is a successful businessman and member of a secretive lodge.
ROBERT “DAZ” DAZZLER
Chain-smoking tombstone-toothed theatre technical director Daz sees himself as the true pilot of the Bernard Saucier theatre. Hates am-dram actors with a vengeance, regarding them as interlopers.
WESLEY SINER
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The good cop to Daz’s bad cop, camp Wes is the front-of-house manager with a penchant for garish pullovers and Elton John comedy specs.
REG McCLUSKEY
Reg is the old reliable. The Pro. The one they bring in to lift the quality bar. A Seasoned local actor, Reg is also 90% Fortified wine.
DICK PITKIN
Dick is based on someone I once knew, who was the stage doorman at the theatre I worked at. Brawny and tough as leather, chain-smoking roll-ups, he was ex-Navy and had the tattoos to prove it. He was small in stature but not one to mess with.
MAYOR HAZELBAKER
Blundering, perpetually confused Mayor Hazelbaker took the job for the prestige but wishes he hadn’t bothered. He’s nothing more than a stooge, marred with the psychological ticks of a man who has seen too much.
TONY NEDWELL
Malleable arts councillor Tony is a well-meaning but naive champion of the arts, unaware that he is being used by Paula.
HILDA HARRIDAN
Am-dram circuit judge, Hilda was once an actress who resigned to supporting roles. Forever the bridesmaid, never the bride, Hilda becomes an embittered critic whose past connections with the Bernard Saucier theatre come back to haunt her.
DELLA HAMBLE
Wardrobe mistress and crystal ball enthusiast Della disarms Stu with her saucy laugh and tactile demeanour, and troubles him with talk of Bosie: The theatre’s resident ghost.
DEAN SHEATHER
Local barrel-boy and first-time actor, lunk-headed Dean has the physique but lacks the gentle touch.
BONNIE & CLIVE INCHCAPE
When I think of dance teachers and vocal couches, I think of:
Clive is a vocal coach exuding confidence in his tight shorts…
and Bonnie is the garish, flame-haired dance teacher brought in to whip the troops into shape, even if it means doing it in their underpants.
BOB GAY
Blunt Drama Guild Leader and theatre director, Bob was based on Eric Richard’s performance in Made in Britain: No nonsense, down to earth, and wise enough to know when to bow out.
PRU SLOMAN
Sour Drama Guild Leader and director and rival to Celia Landaker.
FRED SCRIM
Silent, watchful theatre barman with a spooky reputation.
CHRISTOPHER GOTHARD
Stu’s childhood rival and constant pest, self-obsessed Gothard is a musician and songwriter who has everything Stu desires, including his would-be girlfriend.
REV. NORMAN GREENE
A Cluedo cliché made real, the Rev is Christopher Gothard’s Father; always trying to persuade Stu to befriend his son.
MAYNARD FLAXTON
Offensive stand-up comedian Maynard is the father of Stu’s would-be girlfriend, Harriet Flaxton.
NANETTE MARTIN
Dr. Baker’s long-suffering ex-wife; an alcoholic whose life has fallen apart due to Baker’s infidelity.
JEFFREY OSTRIDGE
Stu’s older brother, Jeffrey is a territorial army nut who lives to make Stu feel like nothing.
GODFREY OSTRIDGE / JEMIMA OSTRIDGE
I liked the idea of Stu’s parents being obsessed with famous people: the slightest connection to someone who knows someone who knows someone who once played a walk-on part in a long-forgotten television show gave them six degrees of separation to celebrity. It was something more than their dull lives. To give them both more than a passing resemblance to famous people of that era - but slightly outdated, as if they had moulded their image ten years before and had forgotten to update it, felt like a funny thing to do.
