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Rolf Saxon Interview
Broken Sword Planet talks to the man behind the voice of George Stobbart!
Submitted on 2009-10-02 11:24:31

When were you first contacted about possibly being involved in the orginal Broken Sword game?
I was put in touch with Alan Drury (BS1 director) by Hazel Ellerby (the first Nico) a couple of weeks before the first game went into vocal production. The script had been completed (the largest ever attempted in a game and, I believe, to this day still one of the largest ever made) and the graphics were also well on their way to completion.

Was Broken Sword your first ever voice-only acting job?
No. I had done radio plays, dubbing work as well as commercials. But this was certainly the largest single voice job I had ever done. The first game had been scheduled for a 5 day week with an option on the Saturday for pick ups and etc. By day 2 we were behind schedule and by day 3 we knew we would never catch it up. We ended up working 2 full 6 day weeks and only just made that deadline.

What are your opinions on the Broken Sword games? Do you have a favorite?
To be honest with you, I was not much of a game player when I first got the gig and I'm still not. I have played all of them but not honestly completed any - even with the cheats they were tough for me. My opinion? - I like them and I like the scripts. Fortunately for everyone associated with the games I do not seem to be alone in my opinion. As for my favorite, I think that would have to be the first one. It was the first after all.

Have you completed any?
To be specific, I have played portions of them all but only completed the first one and that was the with cheats. And that was a very long time ago

George Stobbart could very well be one of the great video games characters ever created. Is that a accolade that your proud of?
If that should be the case, it has very little to do with me. George owes a lot more to Charles and his co writers. I may be the one who gave him his voice but they are his creators.

You and George Stobbart appear to be a perfect match. Do you share similar qualities? Would you spend a vacation roaming through sewers looking for clowns perhaps?
George and I are like good friends from a long time ago. We know each other pretty well and we enjoy each others company. But we live a long way from each other and don't have a lot of contact in between working together. When we do, we have a lot of fun. However, that whole sewer thing is probably not where either of us would choose to go again. Mind you, if Nico were interested . . . naaah, probably still not the sewer

One of the biggest parts of Broken Sword success is the incredible dialogue and script. Are there any lines that were cut form the game that you remember fondly? (I remember reading some lines of script that took place during Broken Sword 2 that revolved around the scene in the prison and a few jokes being made about a noose!)
I absolutely agree with you. I'm not kidding when I say I think some of the dialogue for the games has been better than some of the shows I have been involved in! It's funny and it's clever. Either one is hard to achieve in writing and to do both is special and a real treat to be a part of.

There has been so much dialogue I have done for this series (4 games and a director's cut of the 1st) that I simply cannot remember very well which game had which dialogue anymore. Nor do I honestly remember which lines made it to the final cut of each. Keep in mind, this is my job and over the last 12 years or so there have fortunately been a lot of other jobs and literally thousands of other lines that have been in and out of my head.

I do know that the scripts are carefully written - not just for dramatic content but also carefully checked by lawyers for possible potential legal problems. So by the time I see the scripts, they are pretty well set so almost all of the lines we record (aside from alternative takes) make the final cut.

What is your favorite quote/line from the game(s)?
I suppose, I'm quite attached to my goat line.

Was any ad-libbing done during the recordings?
Lots and lots but usually totally unfit for broadcast. We have a great time making these games, lots of laughs and lots of fun. As I said above, the scripts are already fairly set by the time the actors get involved. Having said that, there are times when someone will come up with something and everyone says 'great' or 'yeah' and the line is changed. We often will do a couple of takes in that case - also in the case of Americanisms as opposed to Britishisms and the final decision is taken later.

Unlike George, your other half (Nico) has been portrayed by a different actress every time. Who do you think came closest to the Nico you imagine? Why do you think a different actress was used each time?
I have liked working with pretty much all of the Nicos. They were all good actresses and each brought something different to the role/character. However, the first Nico, Hazel Ellerby is my favorite over all. I think she was busy for the second game but you would have to ask Charles about casting. She was brought back for the director's cut of number 1 and there is talk of a BS5 which I believe she has been approached for. As far as I"m concerned that would be great.

What is it like working with Charles Cecil?
Charles is great to work with. He has an exuberance for the game and the process that is completely infectious and I think he is the reason we have so much fun making these. And the script

You have received immense praise for your performance, yet (if im not mistaken) BS has been your only voice acting job. Is this something you've tried to distance yourself from?
Distance myself from it? Not at all. I have been lucky with voice work. Although I have had very little 'bread and butter' work, the work I have had has been relatively high profile and long running. It's not something that I tried to control or legislate for, it's just how this particular aspect of my career has worked out.

The casual fan may not know this but you've appeared in some highly acclaimed films (Saving Private Ryan, Mission Impossible etc). Do you have any movies upcoming?
Sorry, not as yet.

A Broken Sword movie has been discussed since early 2005. Would you expect to be involved in some way should this materialise?
Charles spoke about the possibility of this project a couple of years ago. Honestly, if I were to be involved, I think it would be in a very small way. Remember I started on the series some 12 years ago. They would have to go for a younger and certainly blonder actor for George. Maybe I could be Dad. Or a bad guy? Now THAT could be interesting . . .

How was the expierence of performing with and being around top hollywood stars like Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks?
It was very cool. Both were very big budget Hollywood pictures with major movie stars and major directors/producers as well. It's always fun to be involved in something like that.

As a huge fan of the Agatha Christies Poirot series i was thrilled to see you in the episode: The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb. Yet another classic series starring Rolf Saxon! And you got to be the murderer too!
Oh yeah, I was a bad, bad man in that one. That's one of the joys about my profession. If your lucky, you get to play a variety of people and be involved in a variety of situations that you normally would no part of in real life.

Did you enjoy working alongside David Suchet and Hugh Fraser?
Absolutely. In fact, David and I first met many years before at the Royal Shakespeare Company. He is genuinely a fascinating actor to watch work. Hugh Fraser and I met on Poirot and kept in touch for awhile but we have since lost touch with each other. I look back very fondly on that couple of weeks.

One of your most recent works includes performing as Jerry Springer in - Jerry Spinger the Opera! How was the expierence?
That was really a once in a lifetime job. Unfortunately it was also the only time I have ever been physically assaulted by a member of the audience. A curate who came to help me was also attacked. I was literally cursed and sent the most appalling 'fanmail' it has ever been my misfortune to receive. Having said that, it was a wonderful piece of work and I was and still am very proud of the small part I was able to play in that piece of theatrical history. What we all had to endure was only a small part of the entire experience. Most of the people who actually saw the show seemed to really enjoy it. And for the vast majority of people who were peacefully protesting the show, that was their right, guaranteed in a democracy. Just as it was ours to perform.

Whats next for Ralf Saxon?
I am about to start rehearsals for a play out in California, The Chosen, where I am now writing you from. I will be here until the New Year and then back to the UK where I will hopefully be in the West End with a show we did this last summer.

Any Broken Sword 5 news you've been let in on? ;)
Afraid not. I know Charles has been thinking about it but as to whether or not he has done any work on it yet, I have no idea. I hope he has been or will soon. It would be nice to do another. If we do, I think this would be the last one.

Thank you for your time! Very much appreciated!
You are very welcome. Thanks for your interest and I hope you keep enjoying the games. All the best, Rolf Saxon

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