What part would you like Rufus to play ?

[ophelia]

A Town like Alice by Nevil Shute.

A young Englishwoman, Jean Paget in Malaya during World War II and in outback Australia post-war.

Story of being a prisoner of war and her post-war life where she makes a discovery that leads her on the search for romance and to a small outback community in Australia.

Jean meets a young Australian soldier, Sergeant Joe Harman, also a prisoner, who is driving a truck for the Japanese and they strike up a friendship. He steals food and medicines to help them. Jean is carrying a toddler, whose mother has died, and this leads Harman to believe that she is married; to avoid complications, Jean does not correct this assumption.

The thefts are investigated and Harman takes the blame to save Jean and the rest of the group. He is crucified, beaten and left to die by the Japanese soldiers. The women are marched away, believing that he is dead.

After the war Jean travels to Malaya, where she goes back to the village and persuades the headman to allow her to build a well. While it is being built, she discovers that by a strange chance, Joe Harman survived his punishment and returned to Australia. She decides to travel on to Australia to find him.

Meanwhile, Joe has learnt that Jean survived the war and that she was never married. He has travelled to London to find her.
They are reunited in Australia and the attraction between them is immediately rekindled.

The role of Joe Harman would be perfect for Rufus

[annachibi]

Ooooh! That actually reminds me of In A Savage Land a bit. ;D Heheh, I wonder if Rufus can do an Australian accent.

[ophelia]

When I first saw, In a Savage Land, it reminded me so much of A Town Like Alice.

A film was made in 1956 and they also made a mini series in the 80's.

The role is just so perfect for Rufus.

[GreenEyesToo]

Feb 24, 2011 20:58:29 GMT annachibi said:

I wonder if Rufus can do an Australian accent.

He ought to be able to - his dad was an Aussie! ;D

[ophelia]

Of course. I forgot he is part Aussie. The part is made for him.

Rufus is Joe Harman.

Attachments:

[annachibi]

Oh my gosh, you're right! I totally forgot that, too!

[kissmekate]

Sounds good indeed (except for the torture part, but as long as he survives in the end ...)

[VictoryGirl]

This story sound great. By the way, he can do the Australian accent very well, he's talking like
an Aussie in one of the James Bond Audio-takes.

[Petruchio - Good God]

That's true... he can speak australian slang... I have all James Bond audio-books with Roof... and have heard the aussie slang...

[annachibi]

I'm really going to have to get those and listen to them one of these days. I've heard nothing but good things about them. ;D

[lindragon]

Anyone know the Candace Robb books, the Owen Archer series? The first one is called 'The Apothecary Rose'.
Rufus could have been the model for the hero, Owen. Set mainly in Yorkshire, in medieval times (slightly later than POTE). The stories follow the life of an honourable man, left injured after showing mercy. The spying and sleuthing he does for his new master, and how his private life fits into the gaps.
Master bowman, singer of ballads in private (wouldn't that be lovely) and......I think the series would make fantastic films.

[kissmekate]

Now that sounds great, Lindragon - will have a look at the series as I'm always curious about fine new books.

[lindragon]

Re-reading my last post...I didn't do it justice! Owen is Welsh. Tall, dark curls, good looking, but with scars. Wears a beard in the Norman fashion. Think Count Adhemar, with an Agemmemnon beard!
Ms Robb is a Medieval scholar, so the book includes real historical figures, and lots of acurate detail. Includes historical notes in the endpapers.
A very good side-read, if you are not the historical bore (that I am) is 'The Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval England' by Ian Mortimer. Pub- Vintage.

[lassie]

I don't mind what part Rufus plays, but I would really, really, really like to him to be part of National Theatre Live.

Last night the production of Frankenstein featuring Benedict Cumberbatch and Johnny Lee Miller was broadcast live all over Britain as well as countries abroad. All you had to do was find a cinema that was showing NT Live and buy a ticket (£10 in UK). The production and actors were excellent and the cameras had fantastic close ups. Before the production a short film was played telling you a little bit about the rehearsals, director etc. I think it would be so brilliant if Rufus could be part of this - then we could see him live on Stage in the flesh (if we are very, very lucky) and for those poor fans who couldn't make it - he could be viewed on live link-up via a cinema screen.

Please, please someone at National Theatre find him a role to play and let it be screened live around the world Another got any connections??

(For anyone who is interested there is another Live screening of Frankenstein I think on 24th March (the actors take it turns to play creature / creator). If anyone knows how to do a link - perhaps they would be kind enough to do one for me.

Lassie x

[zenina]

Here you go lassie

www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/63286/productions/frankenstein.html

www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/45462/home/national-theatre-live-homepage.html

He did perform in the National already twice - for Arcadia and Luther - so hopefully someone is thinking of him again.

Besides, the National Theatre is a great venue and as you mentioned lassie - some productions are broadcast worldwide.