Actress Julie putting the ha-ha into handicap
IT'S no joke. A disabled actress is shooting a new comedy TV series at locations across the city and in which she makes fun of people with handicaps.
IT'S no joke. A disabled actress is shooting a new comedy TV series at locations across the city and in which she makes fun of people with handicaps.Comedienne and actress Julie Fernandez (35), who has been in a wheelchair all her life and starred in the BBC's hit comic series The Office, says her new project aims to break through the stigmas attached to being disabled.
Called Crippled with Laughter, the series is being filmed in eight locations in Peterborough, and all the scenes are based on real experiences of either herself or her friends.
Ms Fernandez, from Stilton, near Peterborough, who was born with brittle bone disease, said: "This should not be seen in any way as offensive.
"Comedy involving disabled people is a great way of breaking down barriers, and we hope it teaches people that they should treat disabled people like they would anyone else and laugh at them.
"The show has been written for the enjoyment of able-bodied people, as well as those with disabilities, and we hope that it will get commissioned for a mainstream audience."
Locations included Peterborough rail station, where the sketch revolves around the experience of one of her friends.
She said: "He was sitting in a wheelchair in a rail station drinking a cup of coffee when a passer-by dropped a 1 coin into the cup because he was assumed to be begging."
Another scene sees deaf comedian Steve Day telling a chatty hairdresser from the Head2Head salon, in Werrington, that he can't hear them because he has taken his hearing aid out. The barber's reaction is to continue the conversation by shouting into the detached hearing device.
Another sketch features wheelchair boxing and is filmed in the Way of the Spiritual Warrior dojo in Werrington, and portrays the antics of the Fanspastic Four – a team of disabled superheroes.
Julie financed the pilot through her production team Wheelie Good Company, which was set up in 2004.
She was able to persuade fellow Peterborough actor Ray Griffiths (39) to take part.
Ray, who has lived in Stanground since 2001, is a dwarf and has previously appeared as a goblin in the Harry Potter films and as Raymondo on CITV's Ministry of Mayhem.
He said: "Julie got in touch with me a couple of days before I started filming. It was a bit soon, but as soon as I saw the script I knew I would have to get involved.
"Julie is a really talented writer and I hope that this gets picked up, because her work should be seen by as many people as possible."
Also present for the filming in Peterborough, which took place every day between Monday and Sunday last week, were CBeebies' Cerriecorrect Burnell – who bravely faced controversy after some parents complained about her appearing on the children's TV channel despite being born with one hand.
The pilot will be edited over the next few weeks before being sent to commissioning bosses at the BBC, ITV, Channel Four and Sky One in March.
Julie plans to keep fans informed on the show's update on their Facebook page, which can be found by searching for 'Crippled with Laughter' on the social networking site.
A spokesman for Channel 4 said: "We are always looking to recruit new talent and new ideas, and we will be happy to have a look at Crippled With Laughter.
"We have a dedicated team who will look at the script and discuss whether it is something we would like to develop into a series."
Disability no barrier to success
Julie Fernandez was born in 1974 with osteo-genesis imperfecta, more commonly known as brittle bone disease.
The condition, which means she relies on a wheelchair, has not stopped her achieving a successful career as an actress.
Her breakthrough role came in 1992 as Vanessa Lockhead in Eldorado. She has since appeared in Dangerfield and The Office.
Julie moved behind the camera in 2004 to set up The Wheelie Good Company to improve media representation of the disabled.
TV comedy enthusiasts will recognise Julie from her role in The Office, which famously saw her character Brenda abandoned on the stairs by David Brent during a fire drill.
She has lived in Stilton with husband Andrew since 2006.
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Thursday 18 March 2010
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