If Leeches Ate Peaches - one-shot radio drama/podcast
christopher pallister for Thomson
Thomson is a young photographer hired by Dr. Greavesly at the asylum to photograph certain inmates for a collection of ‘New Ophelia’ portraits. He’s passionate about his work, but doesn’t see eye to eye with others around him about what it means to be mad, or how the women in the asylum are treated. He has very idealistic views and is perhaps a little naïve – described as just another ‘young romantic.’ He quickly befriends and seemingly develops an interest in the Other Annabelle, seeing her as the perfect ‘strong’ Ophelia.
Voice notes:
Accent – RP British OR North American
Pitch – medium, preferably sounding somewhat smooth and pure
Age - early/mid 20s
(soft, tender) That heart-shaped scar, you mean? I must confess, I disagree with you, doctor. To my eye, the scar is the very soul of the portrait. It shows a history.
(conversational) Tell me... ever seen a camera before? One flash, one puff of smoke, and a moment is kept in time forever. No agony over paints, etchings, printing presses. They’re all the rage in America.
(angry, emotional, quick) You – you quote Shakespeare, and command emotion – you sit and talk and – and know your worth, with light behind your eyes, and you… You just don’t belong! I capture you and think that’s all it is, think I’ve seen so many subjects, sent them all downstream, but you… No, you – you capture me. I cannot let you stay here! I cannot let this go – for any girl, it isn’t right! It isn’t right!
