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Post by Trace on Feb 13, 2016 4:02:08 GMT
I have a question for our listeners in the UK. I've noticed how clipped and lovely Alexander Vlahos' diction is. I had recently heard that as few as 3% of Brits now speak Received Pronunciation. And, to this American ear, I can detect neither a regional accent nor a hint of dialect or slang pronunciation. Does he actually speak "Received Pronunciation" or is it just the trained actor speaking the Queen's English or posh for a role? If it is NOT his natural dialect, then it's very good. I've heard Alex in interviews for BF and he still seems to have that lovely BBC English pronunciation. No "v" for hard "th" or "f" for soft "th", etc....
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Post by kimalysong on Feb 13, 2016 12:01:39 GMT
I have a question for our listeners in the UK. I've noticed how clipped and lovely Alexander Vlahos' diction is. I had recently heard that as few as 3% of Brits now speak Received Pronunciation. And, to this American ear, I can detect neither a regional accent nor a hint of dialect or slang pronunciation. Does he actually speak "Received Pronunciation" or is it just the trained actor speaking the Queen's English or posh for a role? If it is NOT his natural dialect, then it's very good. I've heard Alex in interviews for BF and he still seems to have that lovely BBC English pronunciation. No "v" for hard "th" or "f" for soft "th", etc.... I am from the US myself. Not really sure about the Received Pronunciation thing but Alex is Welsh. Which I always found to be a very nice regional accent (I'm a big Richard Burton fan). I couldn't say if Alex was trained in speech and diction in theater school (But I am assuming that would be part of the studies) And an interesting tidbit if you didn't know. Alex actually speaks Welsh. And according to online biographies it's his first language. youtu.be/ZncHgVHAxvc
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2016 12:10:10 GMT
It's a Welsh accent that is anglified somewhat for the performance but not received pronunciation.
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Post by Trace on Feb 13, 2016 23:06:13 GMT
It's a Welsh accent that is anglified somewhat for the performance but not received pronunciation. Thanks davygallagher! It seems very refined, and is quite lovely. I'm a huge fan of clipped actor-trained diction--American also--and I think it's kind of sad that the Bryn-Mawr vowels and charm school pronunciation of old Hollywood is gone today. Joan Bennett had it. So did Grace Kelly. I miss that sound.
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Post by kimalysong on Feb 16, 2016 1:31:17 GMT
The Houses in Between
"The buildings either side of them would be miraculously undamaged but the houses in-between blackened and broken like rotten teeth."
Once again we get some fully realized settings in this story. The London Blitz of 1940 with fires raging everywhere and the carefree music halls of 1911.
Initially I felt the supernatural aspect was a bit similar to the one in This World Our Hell (except the faces were in the fire instead of wallpaper) but this supernatural element takes on an even more personal note for Dorian. In fact we learn he is the cause of it. In This World Our Hell, Dorian tells us he sees faces of the past. But here we hear Rosina and his unborn son crying. Dorian's guilt when he finds out is probably my favorite moment of this story. And Alex nails that scene. And whereas in the first story sacrificing. Madame Moreau is enough. In this story Dorian is the key. Rosina is also an interesting character. She reminds me a bit of Sybil from the novel . Except there is no real pretense of romance. Rosina may hope for that but Dorian is pretty clear on what he wants from her. We definitely see a very callous side to the Dorian of 1911 (although I suppose the Dorian of 1940 watching buildings burn down is fairly callous too). And whereas Dorian of 1940 said Rosina should have made him listen about the baby. Is he fooling himself? Would he have done the right thing? Somehow I doubt it. Also I find Dorian's ultimate solution interesting. He's not sure at this point how far his immortality can go (hasn't had many near death experiences) but he takes the chance and lets himself be burned to also destroy the things in the flame that have entered his body. Even for an immortal being burned "to death" can't be a pleasant experience. And I wonder does he in anyway feel he might be burning the souls of Rosina and his unborn son? Also I learned what Glendronach was from this audio. I am not really up on my Whiskey.
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bobod
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Post by bobod on Feb 16, 2016 13:13:04 GMT
I shared a stage with Alex once. He's INCREDIBLY charming.
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bobod
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Post by bobod on Feb 16, 2016 13:14:39 GMT
Also I learned what Glendronach was from this audio. I am not really up on my Whiskey. Or indeed your whisky.
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Post by kimalysong on Feb 16, 2016 13:17:55 GMT
Also I learned what Glendronach was from this audio. I am not really up on my Whiskey. Or indeed your whisky. Bah get out you I posted that last night. I should be allowed some spelling & grammatical errors. Although stay if you are going to post your thoughts on the episodes. And wow very cool about being in a play with Alex. Can you share which? Edit: Just looked it up Whiskey is the American spelling. I should be forgiven for that. I can't help where I'm from.
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bobod
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Post by bobod on Feb 16, 2016 13:20:54 GMT
I interviewed him at the Big Finish Day he did.
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bobod
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Post by bobod on Feb 16, 2016 13:22:22 GMT
Or indeed your whisky. Although stay if you are going to post your thoughts on the episodes. Edit: Just looked it up Whiskey is the American spelling. I should be forgiven for that. I can't help where I'm from. Scotch is whisky. American and Irish is whiskey. I keep meaning to put the plays on my iPod so I can join in.
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Post by kimalysong on Feb 16, 2016 13:25:34 GMT
Although stay if you are going to post your thoughts on the episodes. Edit: Just looked it up Whiskey is the American spelling. I should be forgiven for that. I can't help where I'm from. Scotch is whisky. American and Irish is whiskey. I keep meaning to put the plays on my iPod so I can join in. Well I guess I learned something today. Whose to say this was not going to also be an educational experience. I hope you do!
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Post by Trace on Feb 17, 2016 2:17:46 GMT
I shared a stage with Alex once. He's INCREDIBLY charming. Lucky! Would have loved meeting him. It's easy to believe. I suspect the charm comes through naturally. Will hopefully get to do my listen later this evening. More later!
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Post by Trace on Feb 18, 2016 2:28:30 GMT
I agree with you Kim, that Dorian starts to show his callous side here, and the scene where he learns about the child is still difficult to hear. I think it's rather interesting that at times, Dorian's guilt (conscience?) really seems to catch up with him. At other times, he seems to be immune to it! That's part of what makes him such an interesting character. Rosina is the tragic figure here, clearly in love with him--and yet he makes it very clear to her what he REALLY wants from her, and it's not love. When he takes full advantage of her feelings by coercing her into the little menage a trois, we see that to him, she's just another plaything.
The fact that he seemed truly anguished to learn the fate of his unborn child made me sad and more sympathetic toward Dorian. That's in large part due to Alex's multi-layered performance.
A great story, and a very good primer on the Dorian of later episodes...hedonistic and world-weary, self-centered and at times cruel, sad and vulnerable....loved it!
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Post by pawntake on Feb 18, 2016 17:18:07 GMT
I think Trace and Kim have just about covered everything! So lets look at the ingredients of this story. One victorian Music-Hall song "The ouses in-between" (Best cockney accent) "The houses in between"(Posh English accent)Blackened and broken etc,etc. Then we have the twist!(one burning building)Dorian is being consumed by Demons spawned by his own misdemeanours (British English spelling) That's putting it mildly!!Where better to find a burning building than the London Blitz, and what better way for someone who is immortal,to rid himself of these demons. Just run into the blazing fire!! (Dorian quote from the 1st story "As you do") Add the sad figure of Rosina Sawyer, and the intriguing Miss Haylock, and we have a recipe for a very scary Gothic Horror Story!!! Best listened to in a Dark room, headphones on, eyes shut. Not recommended for the faint-hearted or anyone with Jet-Black hair, when they emerge 27 minutes later, it may be A whiter shade of grey!(Dorian Gray) Another great story.
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Post by fingersmash on Feb 18, 2016 18:47:53 GMT
I always forget how much I love this story until I listen to it. Just how it starts "innocently" for Dorian, watching the Battle of Briton, and then it just falls into a deep pit of dark and depression. It really is a good follow up from This World Our Hell which starts dark and gets light once the monster dies, while this one is doom and gloom. Even the revelation that Dorian would have a son is marked by the fact that he died in the womb. Honestly, this is how a doom and gloom story should be written. No gratuitous violence or gore, just a dark tone throughout with a depressing ending that makes you need to watch a Disney movie or take a warm shower to make yourself feel better.
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Post by acousticwolf on Feb 18, 2016 19:47:52 GMT
This really is the shape of things to come with Dorian. At times hedonistic and callous, then guilt ridden and (almost) too weary to go on, but always, ALWAYS plagued by demons (with many of his own making).
One thing about listening to these in release order is that there is no slow build up. First we have a supernatural encounter that Dorian happens to be involved in. Then this second story throws you right in at the deep end. This is the Dorian we know from the book and it's obvious that he has done many bad things and hurt many people ... but we find out that his lifestyle is not without consequences. His sins are coming after him...
Brilliant!
Cheers
Tony
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Post by gilliane on Feb 19, 2016 0:48:55 GMT
I must confess that i didn't understood everything the first time, especially at the end, but understood quite everything, i found this one really sad (even if there is some sadier after) and gloomy. A very intersting story indeed buti find quite all the stories interesting... One day i will have to do a ranking ^^
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Post by kimalysong on Feb 19, 2016 0:56:59 GMT
I must confess that i didn't understood everything the first time, especially at the end, but understood quite everything, i found this one really sad (even if there is some sadier after) and gloomy. A very intersting story indeed buti find quite all the stories interesting... One day i will have to do a ranking ^^ If there is something you don't understand language wise feel free to ask. Sometimes it's easier if its written down I think. And yes there is definitely a lot of sadness and gloom in this range. It has this beautiful melancholy tone to it.
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Post by elkawho on Feb 19, 2016 4:51:49 GMT
Since everyone has said so much of what I think about this story. I do want to comment on the music, though. The Dorian theme is used so well here, as it is in so many stories. When Dorian is describing the burning buildings with that haunting theme playing in the background, well it's just astounding at how much it elevates the experience. I think this range's use of music is one of the best of all BF's ranges. And I'm not one to usually notice the music in a story unless it's particularly good or particularly bad.
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Post by aemiliapaula on Feb 22, 2016 0:53:21 GMT
Love the Dorian music. It's a bit ahead, but t the end of season three you can hear the same theme but inverted . Ascending notes instead of descending.
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