Talking Prisoner Cell Block H EP 47 Interview with Patrea Smallacombe Script Writer

Talking Prisoner

Welcome to Episode 47 of Talking Prisoner. Host Matt Batten sat down with Patrea Smallacombe. Patrea has worked as a Script Writer, Script Editor, Story Editor and Storyliner. She wrote and co-wrote 10 episodes of Prisoner and was a part of the Storyline team from 1982-1983. She has worked on other Australian TV shows, including The Young Doctors, Neighbours and A Country Practice. Patrea moved to the UK in 1987 where she continued to work on high profile shows, such as Emmerdale, Children's Ward, Families, Playing the Field Peak Practice, Brookside, The Bill, Family Affairs, Coronation Street, EastEnders, Hollyoaks Later, River City, Casualty, Holby City, Hollyoaks and London Kills. Matt discussed with Patrea her life growing up in South Australia and her years at school and how she got into script writing for the Young Doctors working with her famous Aunty Betty Quinn who was also a writer on Prisoner. Patrea shared her memories of her Aunty and what it was like working with Reg Watson in the early years of Prisoner and working with Ian Bradley. Patrea recalls her time she was researching for Prisoner and visiting actual Prisoners and spoke about the time she visited the lady who Shelia Florence’s character was based on and how nervous she was at the time. Patrea was also able to share memories of working with Writer Denise Morgan. Patrea shares with us how she begins her writing process and what it is like to work on UK Soaps compared to Australian Soaps. Matt asks Patrea what it was like in the writers room of Prisoner and what it was like day to day writing for Prisoner and Patrea shares a story about how the had to re write the script several times for the entrance of Joan The Freak Ferguson. Patrea also worked on Neighbours for a period and shares her thoughts on the ending of the Australian Iconic show. Patrea also worked on UK show Brookside and we spoke about the show creator Phil Redmond and what it was like to work with Phil and on Brookside and the dark storylines on the show. Patrea was able to answer all fan questions. Please like and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
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