An all-male cast marks Men’s Day
NEIGHBOURS STAR ALAN FLETCHER TALKS TO US ABOUT BEING ONE OF THE BOYS…
There’s a special episode of Neighbours airing this week, as the show celebrates International Men’s Day – albeit three weeks later than planned, thanks to the UK being behind Australian transmission. The episode will feature every male member of the cast, and as actor Alan Fletcher (Karl) tells us, it was great fun to be involved with…
“We did an episode last year for International Women’s Day, so it was great we got to do the male one too,” he grins. “Each character in the episode epitomises an element of maleness – it shows the good and bad sides of being a man. I only had a few scenes, so I can’t wait to see how the whole thing unfolds on screen.”
Alan also had the chance to get involved with another initiative through his alter ego, as Karl decides to grow a ’tache for ‘Movember’ – the annual charity event whereby men grow a moustache to raise funds and awareness for men’s heath – although again, it will be December before the episodes air here.
“I had to do Movember in August, because that was when we filmed the episodes!” chuckles the star. “It’ll be interesting to see how the audience reacts to that. Susan certainly isn’t a fan of Karl’s facial hair! And my real-life wife of 30 years, Jennifer, isn’t that over the moon about it either, so I’m fighting to keep it…
“I have a goatee now as I’m filming a slightly more serious story,” continues Alan. “The problem is, I can’t stop stroking my beard! It’s ridiculous, it’s like having a pet.”
There may be serious times ahead for the Kennedys, but Alan tells us that he’s enjoyed seeing Karl’s lighter side – as he and housemate Jane have recently been indulging in some extreme bargain hunting.
“That was enormous fun to play!” he enthuses. “And a great example of continuity – having Annie [Jones, who plays Jane] back on the show is just the perfect mix for us, because so many people in the audience remember Plain
My wife isn’t over the moon about my moustache!
Jane Superbrain. They’re getting to discover a new version of her now, though. We have some more returnees coming in soon too, but I won’t spoil it by telling you who!”
Alan also hints that there may be another new lodger moving into No 28 with Karl and Susan soon.
“Jackie [Woodburne, aka Susan] and
I have some terrific scenes coming up with Ben Turland, who plays Hendrix,” he teases. “And, of course, we always have great fun with Bonnie Anderson [Bea]. There are some lovely, and quite intense stories coming up for us. The mix of people we’ve had in the Kennedy house this year has been fantastic.”