Dickens of London

I worked as an extra on Dickens of London (Yorkshire Television) for a number of episodes, mostly on location in the Yorkshire Dales. It was an enormously pleasurable experience and every member of the cast and crew, no matter how senior or junior, was delightful. The two Dotrices were fantastic to watch and I picked up a number of hints just by observing and ear-wigging their off-camera and rehearsal times; their discussions with the director; concerns about camera angles, timing, delivery, checking the scripts for awkward construction, etc. As a result of studying these professionals (Ben Kingsley, John Slater and others also), plus the way they communicated and worked with each other I moved up the pecking order over the following year to walk-on; speaking walk-on; small parts; and then on to full parts on other YTV programmes. It was a remarkable experience, and at a mere $35 for a very long day's work, a fine investment for my future. I would like to thank Karen Dotrice and her father, Roy, for their - unbeknownst to them - tuition and guidance during 1976.