One of my favourite characters this time around is Dot Farrah, who first appeared back in episode 462 - she's transferred from another block and her introduction is used to show how effective Heather Rogers is at martial arts...
A lot of "Prisoner" fans, see the character of Dot Farrah as a poor attempt at recreating the fabulous Lizzie Birdsworth (so wonderfully portrayed by the late and great Sheila Florance), but I actually see her as a character in her own right - and an interesting one at that.
Dot is not involved in an major storylines of her own, but we do see how frightened she is of losing her home (her cell) in the prison riot that Marie Winter kindly throws. She also plays a part in the Wentworth Dance Marathon, stepping in to save the record when Lurch (Alice Jenkins) suffers an injury.
Dot does have a malapropism for every occasion, but she delivers them so convincingly that she never fails to make me laugh. Of course, my favourite line of hers is when she's talking about gay prison chef, Ray Proctor and says "you can say whatever you like about him, but he knows how to handle a sausage" - pure genius from the writers and superbly executed by Alethea McGrath who plays Dot.
Dot leaves the series in episode 486 after being poisoned by Angel Adams, but for me is one of the comedy highlights of the mid-to-late 400s.
Alethea the actress is still alive and well with this picture taken recently...
I'd like to thank Alethea for bringing the character of Dot Farrah to life and playing her so convincingly.
1 comment:
Thanks heaps much for a lovely tribute to one of the many oft unsung heroines of Prisoner.
I've always enjoyed the character of Dot Farrah too. Like you, I don't regard her as a pale imitation of Lizzie Birdsworth, or indeed any of the other older characters for that matter.
Indeed one of the many things for which I really appreciate Prisoner is its generally positive portrayal of older people and the richness and diversity of older characters in the show.
Anyway, well done for a fine tribute to a gem of a character who for me more than held her own in one of the finest spells of the series, IMHO, and to Alethea McGrath, the wonderful actress who brought her to life.
Thank you so much for that :) xxx
Post a Comment