Post by Cornwallgirl on May 21, 2007 12:52:34 GMT 1
You ask... Nell Feeney
Nell took on the role of neighbours' Janelle Timmins in 2004. Here the actress talks about doing panto, her alter ego's parenting skills and meeting Aussie legends'....
Do you have any kids, and if so, what do they think of your Neighbours character?
I have twins, Tom and Grace, who are 12. They were a little shocked in the beginning, but after a few pisodes, they came to like Janelle. They're at primary school, which makes up a big part of the Neighbours audience, so their friends watch it. My kids also think their mum's in the best family as the Timminses are all mad!
Do you agree with Janelle's approach to parenting? I think she's a bit crazy!
Sometmes yes and sometimes no. I think it's very difficult to be the perfect parent all the time, and Janelle represents that failure. She tries, but does make a lot of mistakes along the way. I'm much stricter with my children than she is, and I place a greater importance on their education. For example, I'd never allow my kids to skip school or miss homework. All things considered, I'm a lot more stable than Janelle is. At least, I like to think so!
Had you worked with any of your Ramsay Street cast mates on other programmes before you joined Neighbours?
Yes, I was in Embassy, a series set in the fictional Asisan country of Regaan, and Alan Fletcher[Karl] and Janet Andrewartha [Lyn Scully] were in that programme, too. That is where I met Alan. He was a god laugh back then, and still is today.
Did you ever have a role in the Aussie soap Prisoner: Cell block H?
No, I'm afraid that was a little bit before my time! But I'v heard a lot about the show from Jackie Woodburne [Susan] and Janet, who both had starring roles. And, of course, it was filmed in the same studio's in which we now make Neighbours.
What is your ancestral background?
I have English, Irish and Scottish blood in me, but that's way back. All of my grandparents were born in Austrlia. I've been to London and Oxford, but haven't made it to Ireland or Scotland yet.
Lots of famous people seem to have visited the Neighbours set. Have you had any funny experiences?
It was a bit weird when the Australian cricketer Shane Warne filmed a cameo role. I don't follw cricket, so it wasn't a big deal for me, but everyone else was virtually kissing the ground he walked on. It was quite funny, because Janelle was supposed to be trying to hit in him! More recently, we had an Aussie singer named Daryl Braihtwaite- who I adore- come in, and he was wonderful.
Have you ever been to Colac, the town where the Timmins family are from?
I Still haven't made it there, actuall Ben Nicholas [Stingray] and Damien Bodie [Dylan] went, they were very popular with the young people there. I wouldn't have dared to visit Colac in the early days, though, as the whole place was supposedly up in arms about the rough Timminses giving the town a bad name!
I think the idea of Janelle writing her writing her own book [The Bogans Tipped Hair] was a bit far-fetched. What do you reckon?
Well, this is soap! I agree something like that probaly wouldn't happenin real life, but I think it worked because Janelle only did it with Bree's help. Bree's the literary genius of the family. not Janelle!
I read in Inside Soap that you're leaveing Neighbours soon. Would you consider joining the cast of Home and Away?
No, I don't think so. For starters, I'd have to move from Melbourne to Sydney where the show's made, and I can't imagine myself doing that. Never say never, though!
Do you have any plans to come to Britain to appear in pantomime?
I'd love to do panto, and have an agent in the UK who's been on the lookout for me. So if someone out there wants me, please get in touch! If I was able to choose any character to play, it'd be a wicked witch. Actually, even a good witch would do.
*STAR QUESTION*
Do you prefer to play prim and proper characters, or rough dimonds like Janelle?
That's a good question, but it's hard for me to answer because I've never been cast as a prim and proper character! So my guess is that I wouldn't play it very well! I'm too down to earth and Aussie to carry that off.
Inside Soap, 19 - 25 May 2007
Page 42 - 43
