Foucault, Freda Fry and the Power of Silent Characters on the Radio
Gender, Sex and Gossip in Ambridge
ISBN: 978-1-78769-948-9, eISBN: 978-1-78769-945-8
Publication date: 19 February 2019
Abstract
The Archers is a much-loved soap opera which relies entirely on audio outputs: on actors speaking and listeners listening. Despite this, many silent characters populate the drama. In fact, from Rosaline in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to Godot in Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, and not forgetting Tracey the barmaid in Eastenders, silent characters have long played a crucial role in dramatic productions, an influence all the more acutely felt if they are unseen as well as unheard. Therefore, using key examples of silent characters, and with reference to Freda Fry in particular, I discuss the expanding role and influence of the silent characters in The Archers. In addition, by invoking philosophies of language and silence, I will suggest they have an influence and potency in the storylines that speaking actors should envy, and that Freda Fry reigns supreme over all others.
Citation
Wood, R. (2019), "Foucault, Freda Fry and the Power of Silent Characters on the Radio", Courage, C. and Headlam, N. (Ed.) Gender, Sex and Gossip in Ambridge, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 77-85. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-78769-945-820191010
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019 by Emerald Publishing Limited