HH: Being On The Set In Treharris

by Annie Zalezsak ˇ 19th September 2003

I've always wanted to be an extra on tv or film. High Hopes is my favourite sitcom. So you can imagine my delight when the cast of High Hopes and the opportunity to be an extra on the show landed on my doorstep!

Just Dropping By

I remember when some guy popped into the Treharris Library a couple of months ago, claiming to be from the BBC and wanting a look around the building as a prospective set. I'm not sure that we were convinced he was for real, but phone calls were made, arrangements agreed, and on Thursday 18th September 2003, the crew arrived to film the last (6th) episode of the second series of High Hopes.

Hilarious Comedy

High Hopes is a six-part surreal comedy set in the South Wales valleys. The 4 main characters are an unlikely team consisting of Dwayne Hoffman (played by Steve Meo), Elsie "Mam" Hepplewhite (played by Margaret John), agoraphobic Richard "Fagin" Hepplewhite (played by Robert Blythe) and Charlie Jenkins (played by Ben Evans).

The story lines follow the ups and downs of these four as they form themselves into an unlikely but close-knit family group. It is by the same people that produced the famous 'Only Fools and Horses'.

Giddy

I'm still giddy with excitement for the privilege of having personally met all the main characters. It was incredibly surreal. All the crew's vehicles were in the parking lot behind Treharris Library, and one by one, each of the main actors was escorted up the hill beside the library towards the main road. I stood there, beaming from ear to ear, and telling each actor as they walked by, what a major fan I am. They were all wonderful and stopped to exchange a few words. One of the main crew members offered to take a picture of me with the 4 actors, and I was delighted! In all my excitement, they even offered to let me be an extra, to walk down the street with another couple (who were 'professional extras'), in the background of a scene.

L-R: Steven Meo, Margaret John, Annie Zalezsak, Ben Evans and Robert Blythe

Of course, I was thrilled! Whether that footage will actually be used, remains to be seen, but just the experience was for me, a very big deal!

I spent quite a bit of time chatting to the actors on various occasions, and had a laugh or two. Robert Blythe, who plays Fagin, is a particular favourite of my partner Darren, who came down to the set after work. We were able to get Darren in on some further photos, and laugh with Bob about our favourite scenes. He told us about the parts that will be filmed in front of a live audience, and invited us to come down and join them for a beer after one of the shootings. Needless to say, I've already booked for us to be at 2 of the episodes: the first, and the last (which is the one they were filming yesterday).

I joked with Steven Meo about how the High Hopes was our introduction to Welsh culture! He said we couldn't take it as being typical of the Welsh. But since we've been here a year now, I laughed and said it's pretty accurate in my experience!

And Margaret John? Well, she was just like Mam. Very friendly, smiling with a caring, kind manner. I almost expected her to offer me some fresh baked cookies or suggest I do up my jacket so that I wouldn't catch cold.

Ben Evans was fairly quiet, but when he was not doing his acting piece he seemed the least like his on-screen character. He was witty and all smiles. And when you think of all the parts he's played as an actor, he has to be incredibly professional, and indeed, far brighter than his character as Charlie Jenkins!

L-R: Ben Evans, Margaret John, Annie Zalezsak, Darren Richards, Robert Blythe and Steven Meo

Full Circle

It is really strange, but on the Tuesday prior (the 16th of September), I had a strong feeling that my job at Treharris Library soon would end. That I had achieved the purpose for my being at that job. It is the feeling I get just before the door is closed on a phase of my life.

It was that same afternoon that I learned the crew were filming on Thursday, and that it was High Hopes (up until then, I didn't know what program the BBC were planning to film). If I hadn't been at work that day, I may have missed the whole thing, and would have been gutted! (I only work at the library maybe 1 day a week, sometimes not for weeks). So the synchronicity of it all coming together, a girl from Canada, doing casual work at the library where her favourite tv program is being filmed, it is just amazing. It was an incredibly great time, meeting all the actors and crew, seeing what it is like to be on a set, and even, albeit in a tiny way, "a part of it all".

High in the Sky Hopes

I think it is just brilliant, this wonderful experience, in connection with a tv show that just happens to be called High Hopes. Because, it is about ordinary people leading ordinary lives, with high hopes of extraordinary opportunities coming their way. It is about laughing at oneself, amid the hardships of life, and still believing you can make it big and come out a winner.

I had a blast just indulging in this unexpected experience that came my way, and if ever the circus comes to your town, so to speak, show up! Meet everyone you can! Soak it in, and be a part of it! You?ll be glad you did!

BBC Wales Studio 1

Episode 1 of the second series was filmed at BBC Wales Studio 1 on Sunday the 28th of September 2003. For myself and my partner Darren, it was a new and curious experience being part of a live studio audience. Darren has often been annoyed by 'canned laughter' added to American sitcoms, but he'd be the first to assure you now that the laughter can be, and in the case of High Hopes, is entirely genuine!

What professionals these actors proved to be. The entire filming was spot on, with very few re-takes on scenes. We were amazed that it only took about an hour to film! How these actors could keep a straight face! Mind you, Ben did have a moment or two where he had to control himself from bursting out laughing.

It was peculiar to see the set, the smallness of it, and all the fine details to recreate a home. It was very amusing to see scenes that sent us into fits of laughter, live!.

After the filming, Robert Blythe invited us to join the cast and crew at a local pub, The Heathcock, only a short walk from the studio. We got to meet a few of the other characters, including PC Claude played by Keiron Self, and Mrs Coles played by Di Botcher. We had a chance to say hello again to those we met before. We were delighted to share in a drink celebrating the success of the show. And, we've booked to be at the studio for a few more episodes!

Producer / Director Gareth Gwenlan (left) and the writer of this hilarious sitcom, Boyd Clack (right, with Gareth). Boyd also plays the part of the Police Sergeant Ball in a number of episodes. I was fortunate enough to meet both of them on location and congratulate them on such a fantastic show. As we stood around waiting for the sky to get dark so that they could film the night scenes, Gareth admitted, "A lot of our time is spent just waiting in between scenes". Despite these gaps, every moment on location was exciting for me!

We also saw Boyd in action on the studio set as Sergeant Ball, while Gareth directed quietly from the side. I must also mention the 1st Assistant Director, Daf Arwyn-Jones, who was brilliant in arranging all the cast and crew, and who gave me my first opportunity to appear as an extra!

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Photos courtesy of BBC Wales website at www.bbc.co.uk/wales/highhopes

This article was originally hosted at Annie's website www.clarityesd.com but has since been taken offline due to website alterations. Annie has given her full permission to use the article and the pictures used for your enjoyment.

Please visit Annie's website at www.clarityesd.com.