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I; Got the cast of BG in the studio. We’ve got the Warden Helen, Simone Lahbib, and we’ve got Nikki, the famous Nikki who’s in for life, Lara Cazalet, the druggie, and then the nice Warden, Joe Shaw, Dominic.
Hello to Mandy. Do you like the series?
C: Joey, Dominic, do you and Lara get together?
J: Do you mean the characters? You’ll have to watch and find out. Watch, you’ll find out.
I: Were you surprised when the Warden and Nikki got it together?
C: No, I knew it was coming.
I: Really?
C: It’s the body language!
I: What about the fiancé? The poor guy.
C: I could see the body language.
I: You knew?
S: Its interesting because some people say that they knew from the very first scene between us where I tell Nikki with a very pointed finger that I’m putting you on Rule 42 and its that big confrontation and some people said they knew, from that moment. From that moment, which is amazing.
(to caller Mandy) When did you know?
C: I just picked it up straight away. I could see it especially when your boyfriend kept asking you to set the date of the marriage.
Everyone laughs.
C: Simone, I felt so sorry for you in the series.
S: Did you?
C: They are always picking on you.
S: They are, they give me a hard time, don’t they?
C: I hope you sort them out in the next series.
S: Oh, don’t worry; I’ll whip them into action.
C: And Lara, how are you?
L: I’m much better thanks.
C: I felt so sorry for you on Tuesday.
L: I know, another brain tumour.
C: Can’t wait to see you all tonight.
S: We’ll look forward to it.
L: See you there, can’t wait to meet you.
I: The good boy is Joe Shaw, Dominic. I must say you were going to resign. What’s the older warden, what’s his name?
J: Jim.
I: Jim, and he’s just so jaded. You’re going to resign and the suddenly you really want to help; you’re a social worker and a warden. I was like ‘I don’t believe this’ Do you believe your character?
J: Yeah, I do definitely.
I: Is it how you are?
J: I don’t know that I’d have the strength to do that actually because I don’t think you get paid a lot to do it. I’m sure the hours aren’t great and most Pos I met and talked to whilst doing research would generally make excuses for having chosen to do the job – and play it down.
I: You’re surrounded by hundreds of gals who flirt with you and they’ve been on the street, they’ve been out there….
J: Well, they respond in a very different way because there’s no question of intimidation in that sense so they will try and make you look small or intimidate you, you know, using sexual jokes, etc.
I: Why did you choose to stay there, why didn’t you go to work in a psychiatric hospital?
J: I think because he kind of fell into it by mistake – I don’t think that was his original plan. But I think what has happened is that he’s there and he’s decided he’s going to make a difference. He sees this system in place and thinks, why not? I’m going to try it.
I: Did you guys visit prisons in England?
L: We did, yeah.
I: How did they compare to Bolsmore?
L: It’s so hard to say because we were in there for such a short amount of time. But I went to Holloway in London, which Larkhall was based on and they both leave you feeling very empty actually.
M: Yeah.
I: Did you see people in there who would fit the character you play?
L: I talked to a drug addict in there and I just watched her mannerisms and they were very aggressive. I said to her “what would happen if you were promised drugs in a visit and didn’t get them?” just to see her reaction, and she had to be held back by an officer when I asked her that question.
I: I mean the drugs, how do they get them in?
L: Err, by many many different ways. By kissing, by … I mean, there are so many different ways, generally on visits that’s how they are brought in. Or by officers sometimes.
I: If everybody knows about it, why don’t the wardens stop that? Or are they being paid off?
L: Well the wardens may be in the scene, you just don’t know.
M: I think that also they turn a blind eye to a certain amount of drug use in prisons because they actually realise they are easier to control sometimes when there are a certain amount of drugs around. In the same way that women prisoners are easier to control if they are allowed to feel good about their appearances. Did you know they are actually allowed four complete outfits of clothes, unlike men, male prisoners.
I: You mean here?
M: No, in England. Yeah. But obviously test studies are done that women are easier to control if they don’t get totally depressed and withdrawn and having some cosmetics is good for their general morale as is allowing to have….I think they are allowed, they are allowed six pieces of make up which are meticulously counted out, of their make up bag and they are allowed four complete changes of clothes, outfits. No more. But, they don’t have to wear uniforms.
I: A caller ‘phoned in a wants to know if Lara likes dancing.
L: Funnily enough, the rest of the cast are laughing at this point. I do love dancing, and I’m especially looking forward to tonight because I do quite enjoy showing off.
SMJ are laughing.
L: Thanks guys. Especially Salsa dancing actually. I’ve done a bit of Salsa and Lambada dancing in London, which doesn’t have quite the same feeling as the idea of doing it here, but its very, very exciting.
I: OK Michael, welcome to Capetalk. The BG’s are here in the house.
C: Just a brief light-hearted comment from a male perspective. Both Helen and Nikki are gorgeous; they both just disappointed the hell out of me.
SML laugh.
I: You’ve still got the see the kiss!
Hello Megan.
C: I’ve heard all the interviews, what’s your experience of SA? Are you enjoying it?
S: In SA, we, erm, are overwhelmed.
L: It’s mind-blowing.
S: Yeah, mind-blowing, that’s a really good word to use.
I: What are you mind blown about?
S(puffs): For me, the people. Yeah. The people that we’ve come in contact with. Very warm, very centred. Last night we went into a township. We went into Gucks??? As we drove through everyone was waving at us, we got out the cars, the kids ….
I: Did they know who you are?
S: No they don’t know who we are, we’re just people, smiley people. And the kids were round and dancing with us and we were pulling faces and playing.
J: They sang.
S: Yeah, and they sang, yeah, yeah …urm. Yeah, we had an incredible time.
I: Megan, who’s your favourite character?
C: All of them really. L Laughs.
J: Good answer.
I: Who do you hate the most?
C: Bodybag.
L: Bodybag. MSJ laugh.
I: Danielle.
C: I saw you yesterday and will see you tonight. Just a comment about the lesbians on the show …………………
I: People are seeing it as a gay programme; let’s just see how the cast respond to that. Thank you very much.
M: Well, I think as the last caller just said it’s been a desert in terms of portrayals of lesbian characters and you know, finally there’s something with some substance and depth and that’s why people hook into it because it’s been so very scarce if existent at all.
I: I think they are moved about the gay couple happening on top of that. People love to box.
M: They love to box. In Britain there hasn’t been I don’t think an affair portrayed on prime time television, such a big storyline. I mean, well, I think ever really. Just lip service that’s paid in the past, just to be right on, just to be politically correct, and I think that’s quite insulting.
I: Brenda, hi.
C: Hi, I’m coming from the other side. I want to know if the lesbian elephant, element, is going to get big because it’s the one time I can fast forward and not watch it. Because I can’t bear it.
M: Well!
S: Well, erm. I don’t know, there’s part of me that wants to say don’t watch then, I don’t know.
C: Well I don’t. But I love the programme but that part luckily I can fast forward.
S: Yeah, just avert your eyes.
C: Yeah, you are right.
L: Does it really offend you to see that on the screen?
C: No I don’t like it at all.
L: What offends you about it?
C: I don’t like, err .. Two women kissing each other. Gives me the creeps.
S: Why?
C: That’s just how I am. I can’t tell you why.
S: Is it the first time you’ve seen two women kissing?
C: Yeah, just about.
S: Yep. That’s fine.
L: What do you find offensive about it? Is it because you think it’s abnormal?
C: Yeah, Yes I think it’s abnormal.
L: I find ……
C: I don’t like it flaunted in my face. I mean, OK they can do what they want in private, but I don’t like it flaunted
I: If I told you this affair was going to get bigger and bigger and bigger and there was a big love scene, is that going to send you over the edge Brenda?
C: Yeah, it is.
L: Maybe you should switch channels really Brenda.
C: No, no, because I like the programme. That part I don’t like.
I: What happens if you have a friend you like very much and they are gay, can they not be your friend?
C: No, but I’ve never come across it so I don’t know how to react.
I: Brenda, thanks for your call.
Got time for one or two comments from our cast members. What’s ahead for you?
S: What do you mean, what’s ahead? Sorry.
I: We haven’t got much time; we’ve only got a minute left.
S: Oh, go for it Joe.
J: Oh, in summary, sometimes we think we are completely tiny when you come here, such a big country, so much going on and yet, also to see that we are having some kind of small effect even out here with our association with Nicros. It’s been absolutely incredible.
I: Lara, are you going to stop drugging? Are you going to get another brain tumour?
L: Well, I had a brain tumour in Britain already, erm, because we’ve finished the series already, so it’s amazing to experience it again, but ….
SMJ laugh.
L: I’m feeling pretty good on it this time.
S: dirty laugh.
M: She knows what to expect this time round!!
L: I know what to expect, yeah.
I: Mandana Jones, what can we expect from you this series?
M: Oooh..err…well…oh god. I can’t think. Anyone else? I can’t think.
I: Do you dump the warden? Does the affair stay? Do you have children together?
M: She, she always dumps me! She’s the one who can’t make up her mind. I’m quite straight about what I want.
L: Think about what you are saying to Brenda.
M: Sorry about that Brenda.
SLJ laugh.
M: I am a lesbian elephant.
I: Thank you for coming in.
Much laughter from all the cast and Lara can be heard saying ‘Did you really just say ‘lesbian elephant???’