Brief Summary
This episode of The Sirens of Audio features an interview with Miles Richardson, an actor known for his extensive work with Big Finish Productions, particularly his role as Irving Braxiatel in the Doctor Who universe. The discussion covers his family background in acting, his experiences with the Royal Shakespeare Company, his voiceover work in video games and commercials, and his long-standing involvement with Big Finish, including his approach to playing the complex character of Braxiatel. They also discuss his roles in Dorian Gray and Hamlet. The hosts conclude with recommendations of Miles Richardson's work, including Hamlet and the film Peterloo.
- Miles Richardson's extensive career in acting, influenced by his family's background in the Royal Shakespeare Company.
- His experiences with Big Finish Productions, including his role as Irving Braxiatel and his approach to voice acting.
- Discussion of his roles in Dorian Gray and Hamlet.
- Recommendations of Miles Richardson's work, including Hamlet and the film Peterloo.
Intro
The podcast starts with a comedic skit featuring two characters discussing the "offensive comments" made by "43 to Wednesday" in their latest podcast. They mock the idea of reviewing big finish stories and accuse them of being "canon-phobic" and trying to profit from their podcast. The characters decide to start a cancellation campaign on Twitter, targeting Apple, Spotify, and other podcast services, labeling anyone who listens to "43 to Wednesday" as evil.
Introduction to the Episode
Dwayne and Philip introduce the episode, announcing that they will be exploring the universe of Doctor Who in audio media. They mention that they will be interviewing Miles Richardson, an actor who has been involved in various Big Finish productions. They also discuss the ending of several Big Finish series, including the monthly range and the Gallifrey Time War series, and speculate on the future of classic series companions and doctors.
Rabbit Hole: Series Endings and Future Possibilities
Dwayne and Philip discuss the trend of series endings at Big Finish, specifically mentioning the end of the monthly range and the Gallifrey Time War series. Philip clarifies that while the "Time War" segment of Gallifrey has ended, the possibility of future Gallifrey stories remains open. Dwayne expresses concern about the diminishing opportunities for classic series actors as these series conclude, while Philip looks forward to new possibilities and directions for Big Finish. They speculate on the continuation of the Eighth Doctor Time War series and the potential for new stories and characters.
Trailer: The Extinction Event
A trailer for "The Extinction Event," a Benny Summerfield audio drama, is played. The trailer features Professor Bernice Summerfield and introduces the character of Irving Braxiatel.
Interview with Miles Richardson: Becoming an Actor and Family Legacy
Dwayne and Philip welcome Miles Richardson to the podcast. Miles discusses his family background in acting, noting that both of his parents were founding members of the Royal Shakespeare Company. He shares that growing up in a theater environment made it seem like acting was the only choice for him. He also mentions his father's role in "House of Cards" and his experience seeing his father perform live on stage in "The Hollow Crown."
Early Career and Influences
Miles discusses his family's financial struggles during his childhood and how his parents, despite their concerns about financial stability, supported his decision to pursue acting. He recounts working with his father on a few television projects, though they rarely had scenes together. Miles expresses his preference for stage acting over film and television due to the rehearsal period and the immediate feedback from the audience.
Stage Acting vs. Studio Work and Lazy Actors
Miles shares his passion for stage acting, highlighting the unique connection with the audience and the collaborative rehearsal process. He contrasts this with film and television, where smaller roles can be isolating. Miles expresses his disdain for "lazy actors" who don't give their all in performances, emphasizing the importance of respecting the audience and fellow actors. He acknowledges that while some established actors may become complacent, many well-known actors continue to work hard out of love for the craft.
Royal Shakespeare Company and Repertory System
Miles discusses his time with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) from 2003 to 2008, highlighting the benefits of working in a repertory system where actors perform multiple plays in rotation. He notes that while the RSC was once the pinnacle for stage actors, many now prefer television for financial security. Miles describes the withdrawal symptoms he and other actors experienced after leaving the RSC due to the close-knit environment and constant engagement with multiple plays.
Challenges and Memories from the RSC
Miles recounts the challenges of performing in multiple plays simultaneously, sharing anecdotes about actors mixing up lines and roles. He mentions an actor named Jonathan Slinger, who played Richard III and other related roles, and the director's humorous request for him to play Fluellen in Henry V. Miles notes that he can still remember vast portions of the plays, particularly the parts he understudied.
Voiceover Work and ADR
Miles discusses his extensive voiceover work, including ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement) for films and video games. He shares an anecdote about contributing a line to the James Bond film "Die Another Day." Miles explains the improvisational nature of video game voiceovers, where he often has to create background dialogue while avoiding being too interesting. He also recounts a humorous experience recording German porn noises for a film with actor Tim Bentinck.
Commercial Work and Three Cents Soda
Miles talks about a commercial he filmed in Athens for Three Cents Soda, describing the experience of traveling to Greece just before the country went into lockdown. He shares details about the commercial's concept and his role in it.
Joining Big Finish and Playing Charles Darwin
Miles discusses how he began working with Big Finish Productions, stemming from his work with real-time pictures and Keith Barnfather. He mentions his first role was playing Charles Darwin in "Doctor Who: Blood Tide." Miles appreciates the advantages of audio dramas, such as not having to memorize lines or wear costumes.
Becoming Irving Braxiatel and the Nature of Science Fiction
Miles recounts being cast as Irving Braxiatel and his initial lack of knowledge about the Doctor Who universe. He shares his discovery that in science fiction, everything is possible, leading to unexpected revelations about his character, such as being a Time Lord and Doctor Who's brother. Miles discusses the various iterations of Braxiatel and his multiple "deaths" and resurrections.
The Complexity of Braxiatel's Timeline
Miles discusses the complexity of Braxiatel's timeline and character, noting that he can be very different depending on the series. He explains that the Braxiatel in Gallifrey is more serious than the one in Bernice Summerfield. Miles admits that sometimes he finds the scripts confusing but focuses on finding the reality of what he's saying to convey it to the audience.
Braxiatel's Future and Acting Style in Studio
Miles expresses his hope to continue playing Braxiatel and mentions that Scott Hancock assured him the character would always return in some form. He notes the popularity of Big Finish audio dramas and the backlog of material they have. Miles describes his physical acting style in the sound booth, emphasizing the importance of standing up to free up energy and give power to his voice.
Recording Separately and Maintaining Performance
Miles discusses the increasing frequency of recording parts separately due to scheduling conflicts. He mentions instances where he and Scott Hancock recorded entire episodes together, playing all the other parts. Miles believes that the quality of the performance depends on the producer's ability to guide the actors and provide a rough approximation of the other person's performance. He also notes that his long-standing relationships with actors like Lisa Bowerman make it easier to anticipate their delivery.
Working with Lisa Bowerman and Character Development
Miles discusses his rapport with Lisa Bowerman, noting that they knew each other socially before working together. He highlights the sparring relationship between their characters, Bernice and Braxiatel. Miles explains that the writers now write Braxiatel with him in mind, incorporating his improvisations and comedic style. He emphasizes the importance of knowing his character well and how he would interact with others, even if he doesn't know the other actors personally.
Braxiatel's Backstory and Character Knowledge
Miles admits that he hasn't read any of the Bernice Summerfield books and that Braxiatel's backstory is so complicated that even the writers lose track of it. He focuses on the individual drama he's working on and doesn't feel the need to know everything about Braxiatel's past. Miles compares this to playing a barrister, where one doesn't need to attend law school to play the role convincingly.
Future of Braxiatel and Fan Appreciation
Miles expresses his desire to continue playing Braxiatel and acknowledges that it's up to the writers and producers. He shares that the best feedback he's ever received comes from doing these audio dramas, highlighting the extraordinary fan base for Big Finish. Miles feels humbled by the affection for Braxiatel and attributes his continued portrayal of the character to the adoration he receives.
Dorian Gray and Hamlet
Miles discusses his roles in Dorian Gray, attributing his involvement to Scott Hancock and Alex Vlahos. He mentions playing Lord Henry Wotton and Claudius in Hamlet, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to play Claudius, a role he had always wanted.
Hamlet Discussion
The hosts discuss Big Finish's production of Hamlet, praising Alexander Vlahos' performance as Hamlet and Miles Richardson's portrayal of Claudius. Miles shares his perspective on Claudius, arguing that he is a better king than Hamlet would have been. He notes that Shakespeare understood who should be king and that the tragedy is Denmark's downfall due to Hamlet's actions.
Hamlet Production Details and Future Projects
Miles confirms that the entire cast was present in the booth for the recording of Hamlet, emphasizing the importance of the background energy in the room. He clarifies that Hamlet's speeches are monologues rather than soliloquies because they are in blank verse. Miles mentions that Big Finish has three years' worth of recorded material in the can and that he has no idea when they will be opening things up again. He shares details about his upcoming projects, including role-play work, a play, and a film.
Upcoming Projects and Fan Campaign
Miles discusses his upcoming projects, including a role-play project for HS2, a play called "Witness for the Prosecution," and a film. He notes that despite the challenges of the past year, he had five jobs. The hosts express their intention to start a campaign for a Brax and Narvin spin-off box set. Miles thanks the Big Finish fans for their tremendous feedback and support.
Gallifrey Time War Volume Four Trailer and Farewell
A trailer for "Gallifrey Time War Volume Four" is played. Miles expresses his gratitude to the Big Finish fans.
Recommendations: Hamlet and Peterloo Massacre
Philip recommends Big Finish's production of Hamlet, highlighting Miles Richardson's performance as Claudius and the magnificent cast. Dwayne recommends the film version of Peterloo on Amazon Prime, which features Miles Richardson, and the Big Finish audio drama "The Peterloo Massacre," a fifth doctor adventure.
Outro
The hosts thank Miles Richardson for his time and encourage listeners to send feedback and join their Facebook group. They provide information about their website, Twitter handle, and email address. The episode concludes with a reminder to keep listening to wonderful audio drama.
