Linda reads from her new book, Royal Flush |
AA: I wonder what happened to it? LLP: Well, I found out. It went to an antiques dealer. Guess how much it was going for? AA: £10,000, £12,000. Up. £15. It was £25,000, so if I'd have got it I would have got a bargain. AA: I wonder who has it now. You're famous for your research on productions like The Governor, Prime Suspect. Maybe you could get your team of sleuths on the case. LLP: The new owner said to me its eyes alone are worth a fortune. Its eyes were made of the most incredible amber. You've got me all upset about my panther! AA: We won't mention it again. LLP: But La Plante Productions's logo is a panther. And in my new TV show, Trial And Retribution, one of the guys who is questioned about the murder - have a look at his right arm and you will see a black panther. AA: Tattooed? LLP: He had it painted on for me. So you'll be in on the ink! Look there's the La Plante logo on his arm. AA: I was trying to recall your work as an actor because you were in The Sweeney, Minder. LLP: You name it I trolled across the screen! I was in Out, Gentle Touch. I was even in Z Cars. I was in a show called The Doctors. Very funny actually because the script was so bad. I was a receptionist and I had a buzzer with my foot and when there was a lull in the action they'd tell me to buzz someone through and I was supposed to say, "Mr Cook, Dr Simmonds is here now." Bzzzz. "Mrs Maynard, the doctor can see you now." After a few weeks I got a bit bored now, so for weeks I was sending in - "Jackie Onassis, you can go see the doctor now." Joan Crawford, Marilyn Monroe - all these people. One day the producer said, "Lynda, we've had a call from a viewer. You didn't send Margaret Thatcher in last night, did you?" I said, " Ooh yes, I did. Sorry." He said, "Who else have you been sending in?" I said, "Jackie Onassis." They had to go through all the old tapes and doctor them and they fired me. I was one of the very few people fired from a soap. AA: What sort of music do you enjoy listening to? LLP: I really have very eclectic tastes. AA: Do writing and music go hand in hand? LLP: I like silence. The only time I used music a lot was Nessun Dorma. When he reaches for that note. I used to think if he can get that note I can get this next sentence. Somehow I like that kind of sound that can fill you with an energy. But when I think about music you purchase, I really go from one end of the scale to the other. I'm not keen on musicals - but from Bruce Springsteen to Placido Domingo, classical I love. AA: Your new book Royal Flush has just been published. The main character is the grandly named Edward de Jersey. Who is Edward de Jersey? LLP: Previously Eddie Jersey, east end of London. He put the de in because he thinks it sounds cool. He really wants to be - he's accepted as an aristocrat. He's a man - you know they say it's unlucky to attain everything in life and acknowledge it. The moment you say "I am a happy man, I have everything in life I've ever wanted." That's the moment a brick comes and hits you on the back of the head. De Jersey was a criminal, a bank robber, an honourable man inasmuch as he'd always split the take but nevertheless he was a criminal. He obtains via his last major robbery a stud farm, a stunning wife, two beautiful daughters and as the book opens he believe he's going to have a Derby winner - this great horse, the Royal Flush. Not a hot flush, a royal flush and it's how when everything comes crashing down where does he go. His rage is unbelievable. He sits down and thinks what can I do to salvage everything I love: what can I rob, what can I attack - and it's the crown jewels. So I had a wonderful time researching - in and out of the tower like a dingbat. page 3>>> Check out Linda La Plante's website:
www.laplanteproductions.com
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Part one:
