Ratty 2 - The Writer/Director Speaks

Ratty was always written for a sequel, and the fact I finally came up with a plot line for it whilst feverishly scribbling into a note pad, enjoying a sun-baked beer garden might give you an idea of the ride you're in for. In Episode 2 I wanted to flesh out the characters more, develop the mysticism of the Ratty world and have a lot of Fun. I reckon I've achieved all these aims.

Special thanks have to go to Iain Mackness for producing and editing the beast that is Ratty 2 (and it is a beast; a beautiful multi headed colourful beast). He's had to put up with sleepless nights and several rat infestations whilst putting this together. Thanks also to Simon Stevens for the excellent song, the cast for all being excellent, my parents for the support, BIGDOG for being able to drink a pint quicker than anyone I know, and finally all the fans and supporters of Ratty Episode 1. This one's for you guys.

                 - Richard Delafield, writer and (sometimes) director, March 2008

 

Ratty 2 – The Producer’s Thoughts

So, why the delay? When Ratty Episode 1 was released in 2005 we always hoped to do a sequel – hence the title. To say we made Episode 1 on a shoestring budget might just be pushing the envelope of optimism. 2005 had been the year that we’d finally started to take off – a paid commission from SCR, the broadcast of the Director’s Cut of 'The Mid-land' on Heat FM in Leicester. The world was our winkle (not quite our oyster yet). We wanted to end the year in style, and do something that was mainly an in-house production – i.e. no outside actors (apart from Jowanna Rose as Mrs X). The schedule since then has been hectic and for one reason and another we weren’t able to return to the world of Ratty until 2007.

Ratty Episode 2 is an almost entirely different animal to the first – in fact it has lots of different animals. Richard’s original script was entitled ‘Wrath of Binks’ and was significantly shorter. We discussed this and realised that we really needed a feature length episode in order to give the punters something new. Once the script had been expanded we thought of calling it ‘Crouching Rooster, Wheezing Dragon’, then ‘Manimal Attack’, before Richard finally settled on ‘Manimal Rising.’

In September and October 2007 we set about recording this beast. Dark Smile are obviously no stranger to talking animals and weird occurrences, but this was a biggie. Basically, all the non-human characters in the play have some form of voice manipulation, all of which was time consuming to create. Karl was a particular pain – not one, but two voices! The Dragon couldn’t be recorded at the same time as the other characters in the scene (due to my brilliant/stupid idea of making him wheeze like an eighty year old man with emphysema). Add to that the elaborate sound effects needed and it’s clear why The Year of the Rat has become the year of Ratty Episode 2. Episode 1 was just a taster, and for the most part it happened in the real world. Episode 2? Barking…

I cannot remember assembling such a large cast before. They are all excellent, and had to put up with a lot from the producer (including bad horse impressions). The director and writer was a lot more laid back about things – which probably helped to level things out.

Regrets? Not having the chance to hear Ratty Episode 2 from fresh. I know every nook and cranny now, so it’s hard to know what somebody hearing it for the first time will make of it. I hope they will just enjoy the ride. I also hope that it’s not another Lucas ™ * before we get to make Episode 3. Richard is already talking about scenes and I’m already losing sleep. Most worrying of all is that Episode 3 may not be the last we hear of a certain rodent. You have been warned……..

-                     Iain Mackness, March 2008

* A period of three years between product releases