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.jpg) Doctor
Beat
Doncaster Today, December 6, 2007
By Kate Mason
http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/freetime/Doctor-beat.3562581.jp
ARE you feeling a bit under the weather with all these cold
and flu bugs going around? Well don't panic because everyone's
favourite doctor is coming to town next Thursday!
That's because Neighbours' very own Alan Fletcher - aka Dr.
Karl Kennedy - will descend on Walkabout next Thursday with his
band Waiting Room. Free Press feature writer KATE MASON went
down under with "The Fletch" to find out about the
hotly anticipated gig and went fishing for a few storyline secrets
about the Aussie soap along the way.
You're probably best known for your role as Karl Kennedy
in Neighbours. How did you get into acting and get the part on
the show?
I started out doing theatre and TV shows. The first major
TV role I had was in Cop Shop. I worked on the show for 18 months
then throughout the 80s I did mini-series and other TV and radio
work so it was a really eclectic mix. I had a three week fill
in job in Neighbours in the 1980s working in the garage, they
were between actors at the time. When the role of Karl came up
I auditioned like everyone else in the normal way seven years
on from my first appearance in the show and I got the part.
Can you give us any inside information on any Neighbours
storylines that are coming up?
There's a few big storylines coming up for the Kennedys, the
return of Libby Kennedy which is great - we love having her back.
She basically comes back as Susan becomes very ill. There will
be a lot of trauma ahead for the Kennedys. There is an accident
in the street and Susan is involved and it turns into a family
v family situation on the street. It also becomes an interesting
dilemma for Karl obviously with his background of being a doctor.
Neighbours has become really popular in the UK and has
developed a cult following - especially on the student scene
why do you think this is?
I think one of the main things is that there is a really rich
vein of comedy running through it, it's not just drama although
that is a big part of it. I think as well that Australia is very
similar to the UK in a lot of ways, it's very multi-cultural
like the UK and I think this means that the Brits can relate
to it like it's one of their own shows.
But there's still just enough differences to keep people interested.
What does the future hold for everyone's favourite Neighbours
couple Karl and Susan?
Karl and Susan have had a rocky relationship but at the minute
they couldn't be happier, they are stronger than ever. I think
they have been through a lot so there should be happier times
ahead, but you never know.
Do you plan to stay in Neighbours for as long as possible?
I'm happy to be there as long as they still want me. My current
contract ends at the end of September 2008 but I have no plans
to leave, although in the acting business, nothing lasts forever.
We were first treated to your singing talents in Neighbours
when Dr Karl teamed up with Ned but how did you get into music
away from the set?
I've been involved in music all my life through the theatre
and different things and I've always loved rock'n'roll. I think
it's everyone's dream to be in a rock'n'roll band and after teaming
up with Tommy Rando and Chris Hawker, the possibility was there
so I took it with both hands.
Do you prefer doing TV work or music?
I'm greedy I like doing both, performing to a live audience
is a fabulous experience, doing theatre is a similar thing because
the audience is right there so you get an instant reaction, it's
tangible.
But TV is great and although you don't get an instant reaction
you get to meet the fans after the show has been screened and
understand their appreciation of the show.
You're coming to Walkabout in Doncaster next Thursday,
have you ever been to Doncaster before?
Never but I'm looking forward to it, We've played just down
the road in Sheffield many times and that's always one of the
best places. The opportunity to play in Doncaster came up so
we took it, Yorkshire is one of my favourite places on earth.
Will you be staying out after the show next Thursday?
We do signings and meet the fans after the show, so we'll
be hanging around for a while. We try and fit as much in as time
allows.
How did you meet the other members of the group?
I was in a restaurant with my wife and saw Tommy and Chris
playing. I spoke to them after the show and played a few songs
for them and it went from there. I spoke to the organiser of
the Neighbours night which we have in Australia every Monday
about playing at the night which is always really popular and
he thought it would be a great idea and the fans loved it.
Have the band been successful?
We have had phenomenal success. We're on our fifth tour now
- to do one tour is amazing but five! Our first album did very
well and we've got a live album coming out and our single So
Wrong was released on 26th November. It's been incredible.
As well as original material you also do some cover versions
on the tour, what kind of music do you like?
I love indie rock music, Kaiser Chiefs are probably my favourite
band at the minute. We've played stuff by Fratellis, Oasis, we
love playing The Killers and we also like to play old favourites
like Bon Jovi mixed in with our own material.
How do you juggle family life and touring?
I miss my kids terribly and it is difficult especially around
this time of year as the kids are off school but I do stay in
contact with them. I'm lucky in that most of the time I'm working
in one place for a long period of time on Neighbours.
You've become a bit of a pin-up in this country how do
you feel about that?
(laughs) I think most people think I'm more like their father
than a pin-up but I do get a lot of fans coming up and saying
"my mum loves you." It's very flattering and I really
appreciate the fans support. I love the fans and that's why I
try and go out of my way to spend time with them as much as I
can.
Does your wife get jealous of all the female attention?
(laughs) No my wife understands, she's had experience in the
industry so she knows what its like.
* Waiting Room will appear at Walkabout next Thursday. Tickets
cost £6 in advance and are available on 01302 328188 or
£8 on the door. Waiting Room's single So Wrong is now available
and their new album is released on December 17 but will be sold
in advance as a CD at the gig on Thursday.
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