We
have our own fair share of bad girls - and boys - but
yesterday that number increased with the arrival of four
of the cast from M-Net’s British prison drama series,
Bad Girls. Simone Lahbib (Helen Stewart), Mandana Jones
(Nikki Wade), Lara Cazalet (Zandra Plackett) and Joe Shaw
(Dominic McAllister) touched down at Cape Town International
yesterday morning and hit the ground running with a hectic
tour schedule that began with lunch at Gorgeous in Loop
Street. They’ve already spent some time in Gauteng,
relaxing at Sabi Sabi and apparently partying up a storm
the night before they got here. “We’re feeling
a bit fragile today,” confessed Joe, who was having
a close relationship with a 1,5-litre bottle of water
at lunch. Simone Lahbib opted for the hair of the dog,
drinking gin and tonic and smoking. “I haven’t
managed to read a page of my book since I got here, have
you?” Joe asked Simone. No, she hadn’t either
and it’s unlikely they will. “My grandmother
always said she’d sleep when she was dead,”
added Simone, a phrase for which Bon Jovi will always
pay her royalties. If you’ve been following the
series (screened on M-Net on Tuesdays at 8.05pm), you’ll
be familiar with the characters. The real people behind
them prove themselves to be accomplished actors. Lara
Cazalet is a bundle of fun, Simone Lahbib looks completely
different (sporting blonde hair), Mandana Jones is quick
with a humourous comment and Joe Shaw radiates intelligence
behind his good looks. All of them are friendly, approachable
and delighted to be in South Africa. Simone proudly carries
a copy of Nelson Mandela’s inaugural speech in her
diary and would dearly love to meet the man himself. Otherwise
they plan to see as much of the Cape as they can ... so
keep your eyes open.
