Lip Service-starved fans from across Brighton came out of the
woodwork for a much-anticipated advance screening of the first
episode of series two last night. There is an excited buzz in the
air, and barely a spare seat in the Sallis Benney Theatre in
Brighton.
Promised to be the highlight of Brighton's LGBT History month,
we're all hoping that tonight's advance performance will finally
reveal whether dithering Cat will play it safe with Copper Sam or
fall back into the clutches of the charming Frankie.
The episode kicks off with a loved-up Cat (Laura Fraser) and Sam
(Heather Peace) returning from holiday to an even sultrier, more
determined Frankie (Ruta Gedmintas, pictured). It seems
the swaggering lothario has somehow managed to get even hotter
since the last series, her doleful green eyes practically taking up
the entire screen at some points.
Things with Cat and Sam seem to be going rather well. Lesbian
domestic 'bliss' has set in, with dependable Sam far more at ease
with it than the erratic Cat, who is secretly waiting for Frankie
to rock the boat with a single glance in her direction with those
eyes. Well really, whose 'boat' wouldn't be rocked?!
Tess is as adorably awkward as ever and continues to find
herself in the most ridiculous of situations, all through her own
doing. She's not the only one who injects a bit of comedy into the
show, however. This time around humour seems to be used more
naturally with all of the characters, and is often used deflate
tension.
There's a new girl on the scene who's bound to shake things up a
bit, but just who she's got her eye on we can't quite be sure.
We're told the BBC don't even have a date for the screening of
the episode on TV yet so we couldn't possibly spoil it for you, but
be excited, be very excited, because the season opener
certainly is a cracker. This series looks set to be meatier,
funnier and even more dramatic than the last.
After the screening we are treated to a Q&A with writer
Harriet Braun, the lovely Heather Peace, who plays Sam, and an
array of other experts on lesbians in the media.
The audience prove themselves to be a grown-up and thoughtful
bunch, asking intelligent questions and managing, tempting though
I'm sure it was, to stay away from the declarations of undying love
and marriage proposals to Heather. Although one did slip out - only
a shy, whispered, "I love Heather Peace". But it was enough to make
her laugh.
Harriet Braun appears bashful, yet her natural humour and wit
soon have the audience cracking up at every opportunity, telling us
she spent many a night wandering around Hampstead Heath in
"desperation" at not knowing where to start with Lip Service. It's
clear too that she was passionate about portraying lesbians as
normal people. When asked why there are not more positive role
models in the show she replies: "Why should lesbians help grandmas
across the road and fight for world peace? We should be able to be
as badly behaved as anyone else!"
Heather Peace was hilarious throughout. On being asked what kind
of research went into the show, which inevitably led to questions
about whether she gave tips on the sex scenes, she replies: "No,
I'm shit in bed!"
In all, Heather and Harriet treated us to a fantastic evening
and the screening left us literally teetering on the edges of our
seats in anticipation of the series reaching our screens this
spring.
Lip Service will be showing on BBC Three.
Watch this space for further details.
Photo credit L+R
