We've asked
Montana actress
Chantal Stanfield to write a special guest column for us about her experiences on the show. Chantal plays rich-witch Dalene Phillips, who uses her cash to promote her dubious, often sex-andalous agendas. Here's Part 2 of her column: The Wicked Witch of Montana ...
A publicity still of Dalene, taken during the filming of the show
Well, don’t we just love how Dalene bounced back meaner and more ruthless after the ‘minor’ setback with Richard?
Not only is she on top of a plan to get back at him, she’s doing so with his arch-nemesis, ‘Pasty MacWhitebread’, Charles Johnson.
In order to get back at Richard, Dalene needs to ensure that Charles gets the land he wanted in the first place and, unfortunately for Nolitha and Victor, it happens to be the land the Khula Cultural Centre stands on.
It seems there’s something brewing between Charles and Dalene too. I told you, didn’t I? Just when you think you have Dalene all figured out, she takes it a step further!
I had so much fun acting alongside
Langley Kirkwood, an actor with a wealth of experience who plays Charles Johnson. Both of us play ‘disreputable’ characters who get their kicks from power so when you put them together - let me tell you, that kind of energy is great and it shows on screen.
Most of the scenes between Dalene and Charles were shot at a café called The Cherry Orchard in Centre Point Mall, Milnerton.
I remember one scene in particular where both of us were drinking espressos. Bad idea!
Our little mugs kept being refilled for the sake of continuity but halfway through we were bouncing off the walls. Try being serious when your heart rate’s speeded up and you’re suppressing the urge to laugh. Needless to say, we didn’t do much coffee drinking for the rest of the day.
Speaking of food and beverages… I have to say the catering on set is to-die-for! I’m pretty disciplined anyway - I eat what I feel like and I stay fit. But being on set once lunch is called is a lesson in self restraint.
It was far too easy to give in and forget the fact that I had to be slinky Dalene after lunch. I’m talking a buffet-style spread - salads, rice, pap, mash, pasta, chicken casseroles, meat dishes, fish, vegetarian meal, vegetables, you name it. Oh, and dessert! Blueberry cheesecakes, Toffee Tart, Malva Pudding, ice-cream and custard - are you salivating?
Cast and crew rushed to those tables like a rugby winger running to score a try. And if you miss it, you miss out. I discovered this one day while on set at the Khula Centre.
Lunch was called and I decided to get out of costume, take off the make-up and hair and get into my own clothes because I was finished for the day. But lo! and behold, when I got to that table, all that was left was a lonely chicken fillet and spoonful of salad. I should’ve asked catering to keep some food aside! At least Kate, our production co-ordinator, gave me some of her Twister later.
Here’s a heads-up for various scenes between Dalene and Victor outside the warehouse - there were flies. Lots of flies. Pesky, tiny, fruit flies. Urgh!
Victor (Charles Tertiens) in post fly-attack trauma.When I think of those scenes, I shudder because those little flies are a big thing to contend with. It was really impossible being sexy and maintaining control when I had those buggers vying for entrance to my nostrils á la Drag me to Hell. It was really gross. And don’t say anything about getting my protein intake for the day…
Set Trivia
• The cellphone Dalene uses is actually mine. I’ve had it for a while now - those with eagle eyes will know it’s the same one my 7de Laan character Celeste used. So if anybody feels generous and wants to gift me a new one, my birthday is 8 July.
• The Plattekloof home we used for Richard and Vatiswa’s house was really beautiful and large with a lovely view and it came with two Labrador-type dogs, which were kept in the yard.
Granted, they were quite well-behaved with a house full of strangers and I love dogs. But every now and then, Thabang (director) would call "Cut" in the middle of a shot because the dogs had barked at someone in the street or another dog. Sometimes, the glass doors weren’t closed properly and they just wondered into the house! Dogs are dogs.
Next time, I’ll talk about just how conniving Dalene can be - would she really orchestrate a robbery at her brother’s expense? And what about Charles Johnson? Oh, it really is so much fun. If you have any questions regarding our time on set, other actors or characters, jot them down here and I’ll answer them too.
For more Wicked Witch of Montana, see:Part 1: Special Feature: The Wicked Witch Of Montana (Stilletto's Added!)
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