A tribute for Lis from Phillip Hinchcliffe, Doctor Who Producer (1974-1977), [Pic: Phillip Hinchcliffe with Louise Jameson (Leela) and Tom Baker.] [Pic: ‘The Masque of Mandragora’ Prince Guilliano with Sarah Jane in San Martino, Iraly 1492] By all accounts Lis Sladen enjoyed a really successful partnership with Jon Pertwee, but ‘Doctor Who’ became animated in a different way when she started working with Tom Baker. There was no complicating agenda between Tom and Lis, they were to very professional actors who both put the show before themselves. I became producer in 1974 and during my trailing period I watched Lis on screen and realised how important she was to the programme. I was absolutely thrilled to be inheriting such a strong asset. It must have been difficult for her, being part of what you might call the old regime. With a new producer and a new Doctor coming in she might have felt insecure, but I was never anything other than positive and encouraging. Lis was very easy to work with and incredibly professional. Always gracious and smiley, there was a lovely atmosphere around her. Some actors are surrounded by a kind of forcefield. Sometimes it can be an exciting energy, and sometimes it can be a barrier. There was always a good feeling around Lis on and off the set. She was a private and reserved person, but was determined and ambitious in her own quiet way. Lis was never pushy when it came to changing lines, but she had a strong sense of the Sarah Jane screen persona and would sometimes make suggestions about what she would like to wear. The one occasion when I remember she did make a contribution to a script was her farewell scene. I would have been very happy for her to carry on for at least another series, but when I realised she was definitely set on leaving I think we handled the scripting process rather poorly. Although we had time pressures, we didn’t put enough thought into rewriting ‘The Hand of Fear’ to fully acknowledge the impact of her departure after all those years. Tom and Lis read the script and, quite rightly, came to me and said “This just isn’t good enough. We’ve written some lines of our own.” So I read it and it worked very well. Lis always gave a good performance, but the one I think I liked best was in ‘The Masque of Mandrgora;. She’s got a bit of a romance bubbling along, and she looks great wandering around in Renaissance Italy. She’s hypnotised in that story and becomes a threat to the Doctor, when Sarah Jane is under the influence, Lis acted those scenes in a very understated but spooky way. She was very beautiful, clever and versatile in ‘Masque of Mandragora’, and that’s how I’ll always remember her. Looking back now over the 50-odd years of the programme I believe Lis stands out as a major figure in the history of the show, perhaps - dare I say - more significant even than some of the Doctors.” - Doctor Who Magazine issue #440, p. 30.
Posted on: Sat, 26 Jul 2014 15:34:44 +0000
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