Posted by Chris Rosindale on October 14, 2014 at 06:25:21 user CMR1982.
In Reply to: Re: News about the new Swallows & Amazons film posted by Martin Honor on October 14, 2014 at 00:51:26:
I agree Martin, and the young cast in 1974 was pretty much perfect, especially Sophie as Titty, who brilliantly portrayed Titty's dreamy sense of adventure, almost stealing the film. But, for me, Kit Seymour is the weakest one. She certainly looked the part of Nancy, strong, unselfconscious and with a certain wild beauty, but she did not bring out Nancy's imaginative, powerful, slightly domineering personality (domineering in a good way, she is a natural leader and just can't help taking charge, and becomes the driver, and heart of the group).
Susan is also hard to get right, she has to seem motherly without being seen as irritating, i.e. the audience cannot be wondering why Titty and Roger are not trying to rebel against her commands. Also her friendship with Peggy becomes close - they bond almost at once due to their similar roles in their crews, but if seen shopping together in Rio they would look rather different (I can't picture Susan in shorts wearing a red cap, yet Peggy unselfconsciously does!) yet do not seem bothered by the perhaps odd looks they would get from some adults. These qualities must come across from who plays Susan, and Suzanna did it very well.
Casting newcomers in the roles (although Suzanna had some training and Sophie some previous experience from Cider with Rosie) worked well the last time and may be the key to getting a natural performance for each role, but it carries risks if the character is as unique as Nancy, as some acting experience may be necessary to be able to bring out the character's essential traits. Kit did not manage to do that and her successor must, especially if they intend to adapt more of the books.