Duncan is no stranger to the performing arts having written and performed in numerous works - and in quite a few people stayed to the end. It is Duncan we have to thank for the 'Goat Pie' song which is performed in the film and also used as incidental music. His character Derrick, is a suggestion of many people who move to a rural area and want so much to be part of it straight away. They think they're doing everything right by 'getting involved' and have anaemic interests rather than passions. Duncan on reading the part of Derrick; "I come across this sort of person now and again, and although very well meaning, and thinking he's so very right, he is so very wrong".
Kay Whiteman - Catrin
Richard Davies - Glen
Duncan Whiteman - Derrick
Rod Clements - playing Rod Clements
Although sharing the same surname, Kay and Duncan are not related, except by marriage. Kay has performed in many productions, but this is her first foray into film. Unlike the character of Derrick, Kay has a healthy and very real interest in history. Her character Catrin, is straight out of the back of a women's glossy magazine. The type of adverts that state; 'Be an aromatherapist in six months, have a diploma in three' is just the type of ad Catrin would reply to. Writer Lynne Harvey; "Some of these crafts, trades and skills are not easily learnt in a course or two, but some people continue to set themselves up in business knowing only the basics". Catrin is another well meaning, joining up the dots kind of person, unlike Kay who stands for no such nonsense and prefers her racy sports car to almost anything.
Richard has performed in musical theatre and likes nothing better than to twist his toes on the dance floor - both professionally and privately. Having a subdued manic energy, Richard was perfect for the part of Glen. Richard is a lover of TV comedy of yesteryear, also film and comedy - but especially comedy film... He is also a champion of forgotten comedy heroes such as Dick Emery and Harry Worth. Lynne Harvey writer; "Richard's character Glen is founded on people whose life is dominated by something - in most cases it doesn't matter what, as long as they can collect items to do with it, talk about it all the time and become known as 'the person with the interest in' as it gives them identity and a standing in the community they feel they otherwise wouldn't have. In Glen's case it is Native Americans, but with Glen as it is for many who claim a lifestyle alien to them, the interest is paper thin and can be bought in dribs and drabs on auction sites".
TRAMLINES - In post production 2011
Conrad has been in another of Lynne's pieces; Laugh Out Loud, where he played an American ex marine. A one man show done in southern American accent calls for a certain type of actor. Conrad is it. A man of no pretensions, he certainly has no leanings towards the more 'luvvie' side of acting, prefering to 'learn it live it do it - and do it well', but don't let it take over your life.
One of Conrad's more 'unusual' jobs was for an MTV ident, dressed as a cowboy and holding a rubber chicken. Lynne Harvey on Conrad; "I chose Conrad to play Gregory as he has the unusual craft of showing one emotion while three others are bleeding through it, he takes his work seriously and is a pleasure to work with". I think after Tramlines Conrad deserves a comedic role.
Conrad Turner - Gregory
Allan Price - Terry
Allan Price has been getting up on stage and making a noise from the age of 15. He specialised in roles described as "young man" or "his son". After a while he found he wasn't getting those parts any more and at the age of 50 he worked out why and found a surprising demand for someone to fulfil "strange man with long grey hair" roles.
So, via appearances as "strange Welshman waving a sword", "strange man of the mountains selling bibles", "strange Irishman waving a sword", Hungarian theatrical impressario", "President of the British Medical Association" ( with an unconvincing wig ) and strange farmer with microbes he finds himself making his screen debut as Terry Manchetta - possibly the most normal character he has played.
Lynne Harvey - "Allan gave a very good audition, he didn't over or under play the part. He is also someone who is definitely on our wavelength".
Local girl Olivia Bryant was chosen to play the part of Fliss for these reasons:
Olivia describes herself as an 'obsessive guitarist' - as is Fliss in Tramlines, only Olivia can actually play. She is studying drama, music, english, french, ICT, maths, geography and science at GCSE level. Her interests lie in drama, singing, violin, musical theatre, photography, sport ( ok no-one's perfect, we'll pretend we didnt see that Oliva! ) and reading.
Olivia Bryant - Fliss
Arthur heard my conversation with Jim Hawkins on Radio Shropshire and applied for the part of Barry the landlord. After a half hour conversation he said he probably couldn't do it. After reading an excerpt from the script and being given an audition time he said he probably couldn't do it. After ringing up on the morning of the auditions to say he probably couldn't do it he turned up at the audition's, and after putting him at ease we gave him an audition. In the following day's when we were deciding on who to play pub landlord, Arthur rang up to say he probably could do it and rang David to tell him this. Arthur Hand with his northern drawl is now Barry Marbles pub landlord.
Arthur Hand - Barry
David Holland-Gee (right in picture) started performing at the age of 5 where he was given a leading role in a school play due to his presence and outgoing personality. Unfortunately it has been many years since Dave last acted, sadly at the age of 14 his acting came to a halt when he decided to - or was pushed - into the sciences. Wanting to return to acting but unsure where to start, his Aunt came to the rescue after finding an ad in the local paper. A short email later he had an audition, not thinking he would get the part but using it for audition experience he walked in feeling positive, after all, whatever happened in the room, he would get what he came for, audition number 1. After a joke about standing in the background with a lampshade on his head and a long talk with David, Lynne, and Richard he was given the part.
Phillip Embrey and David Holland-Gee - Men in Pub
Genevieve Tudor - Olivia
Brought up in Warwickshire and trained in drama at Stratford-on-Avon,
Genevieve has been a folkie since the age of 17, when she discovered real
ale, the Watersons and that she was really quite good at singing. Her
parents tried to steer her towards 'proper' music, but she resisted. After a
varied career in everything except drama she moved to Shropshire
and found the radio station. On Sunday evenings you can find her on air,
presenting Radio Shropshire's folk show. Genevieve Tudor's Sunday Folk
has its roots in the tradition - but that doesn't mean it's living in the past.
You can hear the latest releases first on Genevieve's show and traditional
favourites years old... hundreds of years old. If you want to hear folk music,
if you want to hear world music, if you want to hear music you don't know
how to describe but you like it anyway, listen on Sundays between 7.00 and
9.00pm - and all through the week in the BBC iPlayer.
Genevieve likes cats, chickens and bizarre customs and traditions, she's on
the committees of two festivals, Festival at the Edge and Shrewsbury Folk
Festival… she still sings but she’s exchanged the real ale for red wine… - you
have been warned!
Jim has played a number of film, theatre and TV roles including; Mafia Man 2 in The Bench, film (2005); Music critic, UCE/Community TV channel (2005); Morville, In My Time of Dying, Birmingham Theatre School (2007); Wise man in The Dream, short film (2009); Soldier in Wounds To The Face, Belgrade Theatre (2009); Colleague in Toast, short film (2009); Merlin in Arthur & Merlin, Rage Arts Theatre tour (2009); Paul Rooke in Prohibition, a short film by Mucky Duck Media (2009).
Jim turned up for auditions at the farm on a cold winters day and it soon became clear that no one else was going to play the part of Ray other than Jim. He literally grabbed the part of Ray by the throat.
Jim is a big Pogues fan and so in my eyes can do no wrong. Jim is making his first film about one of the Pogues songs.
Jim Kelly - Ray
Sapphira has played a number of film, theatre and TV roles including; Journalist in The Accidental Death of an Anarchist, Theatre Tour (2004); Factory Girl in Kinky Boots, feature film by Harbour Pictures (2005); Police woman in Saving Becky by BBC Current Affairs TV (2006); Juror in New Street Law by Red Productions (2006); Princess Aurora (Title role) in Sleeping Beauty, Bite Size Theatre Company tour (2006); Anna in Manifesto, film (2007); Fairy Bow Belles in Dick Whittington & his Cat (2007).
Sapphira has also completed various modelling assignments.
All dealings I have had with Sapphira have been extremely professional but with a friendly twist. Sapphira is not only pretty she's a model dont you know; but she has a good business head on her shoulders, she runs a modelling agency with another rural agency planned.
Sapphira Chattan - Jenny
David Bishop - Paul
Not only is David behind the camera he is also playing Paul Ingram "respected documentary maker". In this instance life really is immitating art as a documentary should have been made about what has been going on behind the scenes.
Rob and Nigel - better known as Lieutenant Pigeon were and are consumate professionals. To say having Lieutenant Pigeon in your dining room is surreal is an understatement. Most people will know their catchy stomping number one hit 'Mouldy Old Dough'. They are also Staveley Makepeace which produced even wierder and more wonderful sounds. True musicians they play, they record and have a love of what they do. Perhaps today's crop of wannabees can learn something from them. Not least their affability and friendliness. Steam trains have been their love for many years now and they remain good pals. Highly recommended is their book 'When No Business is Show Business', telling of their time in the limelight and how it affected them and their thoughts on fame.
You can also buy their music from this website.
Robert Woodward and Nigel Fletcher - Lieutenant Pigeon
Radio Shropshire's own blue eyed boy Jim Hawkins - and no normal host is he. Will not reduce a subject to it's lowest common denominator, can handle debate and seeks to understand situations rather than toying with 'issues'. A man of principle who loves a chuckle but loves more than anything else his music. His saturady night show where he takes music for a walk is sublime. Monday to Friday 9am - 12noon, BBC Radio Shrophire.
Jim professes to not having had any acting lessons or drama experience - none of us believe him.
Jim Hawkins... playing Jim Hawkins
Lynne Harvey - Writer
'Tramlines is about a respected documentary maker going back to the village in Worcestershire he first filmed 20 years ago and how the village and the people have changed. The theme is alienation in a small community and how we treat someone either knowingly or unknowingly who is different to ourselves'.
'Tramlines is very loosely based on someone I came across, a fellow alienated for no discernible reason, not badly treated but dismissed almost as a non person while all around him get on with their lives not realising the hurt they are inflicting. David Bishop and I have worked this project up from the roots and David has had some fab filmic ideas for the project.
Two clips from Tramlines. Please click here; www.myspace.com/496290481
Not many people are living legends but this title can surely be applied to Rod Clements. One of the founders and original band member of Lindisfarne. He writes, he plays, oh boy can he play and he sings - and his touring schedule would surely frighten any boy band. Rod has played and toured with many of the greats and is respected by both music fans and profesionals. Rod is carrying on the ethos of Lindisfarne and is a man of the people. Mr Rod Clements wrote (amongst many other fantastic songs) the perfect song that is 'Meet Me On The Corner'. Mr Rod Clements. A perfect musical ten.
