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 Getting a part on a major TV show is no mean
feat. So lord knows what Sue Slack is putting in her family’s porridge?
It must be something good because both of her children have starred in
top TV programmes this year. Her son Joseph (15) has just finished
recording his second series of Grange Hill, while daughter Kimberley
(10) made her screen debut in Hollyoaks in September. Joseph and
Kimberley regularly attend A Will and a Way drama school. The LINC
caught up with the Slack siblings ahead of one of their weekend acting
classes at Westleigh High School.
How did you feel when you saw yourself in Grange Hill/Hollyoaks for the
first time?
Joseph: "It was pretty weird. I had seen myself on TV before in adverts
but to see myself in something as long running as Grange Hill was a bit
strange. When I look back on the footage now it's weird too because I
was younger and I look a lot different."
Kimberley: "It felt a bit awkward because I'm not used to it. When I saw
myself I was like, "Whoa that's me.""
How did your friends and people at your school react?
Joseph: "Quiet a few people came up and said, "You're on Grange Hill."
But it's kind of died down a bit now. The only time I've really been
recognised out of school was when I went on a trip to Alton Towers. I
was waiting to get on a ride and some people in the queue were like,
"You’re the Grange Hill dude." It's not something that really bothers
me."
Kimberley: "When I first found out I told all my friends and they
weren't really bothered. When everyone saw it on TV though they said I
was really good. That was nice."
What was going through your mind when you were heading on to the
Hollyoaks/Grange Hill set for the first time?
Kimberley: "I was a bit nervous about getting my lines wrong but I was
also confident that I could do it."
Joseph: "I was pretty nervous. I hadn't actually watched Grange Hill
beforehand. At one of the auditions a few of the cast members came in
and introduced themselves but I had no idea who they were! But everyone
is really friendly so you soon get used to it."
What is it like on the set of a major soap?
Kimberley: "I was happy when I was there because everyone was playing
games with me but when there's a take you have to calm down and
concentrate."
Joseph: "It feels amazing to be part of something that has been a part
of British TV for 30 years. It's a friendly atmosphere. When you are
there for the whole series, by the end of it everyone is like a family.
You're gutted to leave but if you're kept on for the next series you get
to see everyone again."
Who is the craziest character on Grange Hill?
Joseph: "I'd say Josh Brown who plays Alex. He's a bit mad sometimes. He
gets us all in stitches with some of the stuff he comes out with."
Who's the nicest person on Hollyoaks?
Kimberley: "Jimmy (McKenna) who plays Jack. He kept singing and telling
jokes between takes, which made me feel relaxed."
Both your characters came into Hollyoaks/Grange Hill in difficult
circumstances. Was it hard getting into the roles?
Joseph: "Last series started off with Bryn getting bullied. He formed a
friendship with Ali and he looked out for him. It all went a bit hectic
when Bryn started smearing pasta on the walls and other weird things.
I’m nothing like that in real life!”
Kimberley: "I played Daisy whose mum was in hospital with MS, which made
her really sad. But she was really happy when she moved in with her new
family. It was a bit difficult to play the role because I'm not really
used to being fostered. I just had to picture myself being that child."
What's your favourite TV shows?
Joseph: "I can't pick one to be honest. I like The Simpsons, Dr Who and
that sort of stuff."
Kimberley: "The Suite Life of Zak and Cody."
Is there a healthy rivalry between you?
Joseph: "Do you want to answer that one Kimberley? Seriously, I was
extremely pleased for Kimberley when she got a part in something as big
as Hollyoaks."
Do you help each other with your scripts?
Kimberley: "I go over his with him if he's struggling but he didn't help
me. He doesn't like me!"
Joseph: "I didn't have time because I had to do Grange Hill at the same
time! I'm happy to practice my scripts with my friends."
Kimberley: "Thanks!"
Do you have a family history in acting?
Joseph: "Our grandma did some stage work. It was amateur acting but she
got our mother interested in it. Our mum did a bit when she was younger
but stopped when she got married. She only got back into it once we
started."
What do you enjoy most about acting?
Joseph: "For me it's getting the chance to see things through the eyes
of other people."
What have you learnt from Will Travis and his A Will and a Way drama
classes?
Joseph: "It has shown me different techniques and how to approach
playing different characters. If I hadn't done the classes I wouldn't
have realised the importance of research. Drama class has taught me to
think about things like the backgrounds of the characters I'm playing,
where they come from, what they look like and that sort of stuff."
How do you find time to rehearse and record for TV on top of drama
classes, school and seeing your family and friends?
Joseph: "We have tutors on set at Grange Hill so when we're not on set
we get sent to the tutor room and we have to do work provided by our
schools. So Grange Hill actually is a school in a way. If you've not
been back to your school for a while you can run out of work, so the
tutor has to provide you with something to do and that might have
nothing to do with what you are focusing on in school. That can mess
around with you. I'm back in school now, so I should hopefully be able
to catch up."
Who are your favourite actors?
Kimberley: "Ashley Tisdale."
Joseph: "It's a really hard thing to answer. I quite like Dustin
Hoffman. I started liking him when I watched ‘Rain Man'. The way he
portrayed his character really got me thinking. When you see him in
interviews he is nothing like what he was like in that film. It really
inspired me."
In a dream world what would you like to end up doing?
Kimberley: "Riding ponies!"
Joseph: "You are in a dream world! I would like to try and get as far as
I can with acting. It's what I feel I'm best at. I'm not that keen on
sports. Acting is really where it's at for me and I want to get as far
as I can with it."
• A Will and a Way drama classes are held at Westleigh High School. For
further information contact Will on 07974 103034 or email
willtravis@blueyonder.co.uk
Recommended links:
►
www.grangehill.com/default.asp - The official ‘Grange Hill’ website
►
www.hollyoaks.com – The official ‘Hollyoaks’ website.
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