Horror Cult Films were fortunate to ask British actress Lucy Drive, star of Nicholas David Lean’s new horror thriller DEAD END, a few questions about the film, working with ex-Eastender Jamie Foreman and her future projects.
HCF: Lucy, how did you get into acting?
Lucy: I always loved acting at school, being in the school plays, I did drama for GSCE but never really took it any further. I think I got to those teenage years, bad skin, cheeks that used to flush whenever anyone spoke to me. I was quite shy as a teenager and didn’t want to be standing up on stage performing in front of anyone as much as I wanted to my self-confidence was too low. In my 20’s I think I became a lot more self- assured and wanted to improve on my performance skills. I got in to a musical theatre school and it went from there really. I learnt a lot about public performing, speech, movement, and characterisation. I can’t say I have any regrets; I’m definately doing what I love.
Can you tell us a bit about DEAD END and the character you play?
Dead End is a wonderfully written psychological thriller from Nicholas David Lean, who also directed it. It’s about a man called Carl Foster who takes his wife and two children away on a much needed break to the country but on the way there they have a serious crash and end up in terrifying circumstances fighting for their lives. I don’t want to give too much away but it’s certainly not what it may seem and its one of those films you may just have to watch again.
I play Mamon who comes from quite a psychologically disturbed family of misfits. She’s a quite a manipulative character and doesn’t let anything stand in her way. She has these complex and quite dysfunctional relationships with different members of her family. Particularly with her brother Hershal. I personally found sympathy for Mamon as she has been brought up by the most awful family you could imagine and actually is just trying to survive in the world she has been forced in to. Its evident she’s quite lonely and wanted a sister figure when she takes a liking to Chloe Foster, Carl’s step daughter.
What’s great about this film is it’s defiantly not just another horror- with the typical elements thrown in for effect. It’s certainly unique and gets you thinking after the credits have rolled.
Is the film quite brutal or is the violence more psychological?
There are a few violent moments but nothing compared to your typical horror slasher movie and even compared to a lot of thrillers that are made now. Nothing is really shown in graphic detail, it’s definately more the situation and the intensity that Carl and his family find themselves in that makes it quite shocking. The dialogue is very clever and Jamie Foreman’s role in tormenting Carl and getting inside his head is very well written and of course Jamie can play a bad guy quite well! It certainly did the job with me!
What attracted you to playing the character Mamon in DEAD END?
When Nick offered me the role of Mamon I was over the moon. It was such a great ensemble cast and I was really happy he felt that I fitted the vision he had of Mamon when writing the script.
I loved playing her, she was intense and fiery and and had that manipulative streak where she knew she could get what she wanted if she played it right. Particularly with her father Dog (played by Jamie Foreman) who she could wrap around her little finger.
Visually she was such a fun and striking role to play. All credit to the make up and costume department. My Mamon look was amazing and after 2 hours in the make up chair I really felt the transformation and was hopefully able to bring that to the role.
What did you enjoy most about working on DEAD END?
Having a great cast and crew makes all the difference. It was a really good vibe on set. Everyone believed in this film and wanted to do it justice so we all pulled together. I met some really talented, lovely people who are I’ll hopefully always keep in touch with. On a side note the set we were working on which was built at Three Mills studio was out of this world. The art department did a fantastic job- making it look so realistic.
What’s your favourite genre of film to watch and work on?
I love all sorts of genres. I’m very in to period based films particularly 40’s/ 50’ and 60’s. I just love the whole package, the clothes/ the way people were with each other, the way things looked then. The music and how it defined and influenced the time. Thrillers are always good. They tend to have a nice mix, just the right amount of action/ romance and mystery. It’s nice to throw in some comedy too. I enjoy playing the comedic roles.
Having been on stage and TV and film, which medium do you prefer?
Stage and screen is very different. So I’m not sure you can really compare them. Each medium has its own kind of magic. With being on stage in a live performance there’s this complete adrenaline rush and instant connection with an audience which is really gratifying.
With screen you have the benefit of being able to capture a beautiful scene or moment on celluloid forever. It’s something you can always come back to and re-visit again and again.
What films do you have lined up?
I have been cast as Clarice Orsini in a feature set in 15th Century Italy, called The Secret of Botticelli which is filming in the summer of 2013. I’m also due to begin filming the lead role in a lovely short film written by a very talented friend of mine, Simon Golding. It’s a comedy about unrequited love and my co-star will be Ewan Macintosh so should be lots of fun.
Also look out for a beautiful film called Cassette, written and directed by David Paul Irons. I’ll soon be recording the voice over for the main protagonist. It’s a coming of age journey of a young girl played by a super talented actress called Kelby Keenan, trying to find an identity for herself. I fell in love with the whole retro 80’s feel and vibe to it and it is stunningly shot.
Many thanks to Lucy Drive for taking the time out for the interview with us.
Dead End is available on DVD now.
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