Lance Wilkinson
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Lance Wilkinson (also Hails) is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera
Casting
Neighbours was Bibby's first major long-term role.[1] He went for a general audition, where there were five parts available. Bibby was given the role of Lance, a three-month occasional role.[1] A year later, Bibby auditioned for another character called Jon, who the writers decided to turn into Lance.[1] During the audition, Bibby had to share a scene with various girls to see how they looked together as twins. Brooke Satchwell, an actress Bibby had met before, came in and was given the role of Lance's sister, Anne Wilkinson.[1] Bibby's first day of filming was on location outside the coffee shop set, a day later the actor had to perform a kissing scene with his co-star Rebecca Ritters (Hannah Martin), which he said was "a bit embarrassing!"[1] Bibby was fifteen years old and still in school when he joined the cast. He eventually completed his VCE without taking a break from the serial.[2] Of joining Neighbours, the actor stated "I was excited and a bit nervous when I started. At the time it was just another job for me and I didn't really know how long it would last."[2]
Development
Characterisation
Lance became the man of the family after his parents,
Bibby enjoyed working with Moloney and McPherson as it gave his character something different to do, other than getting involved in romantic entanglements.[1] Of Lance's friendship with Toadie and Joel, Bibby said "Together, we have this dynamic and kind of compliment [sic] each other, I guess you could say. We bounce off each other and we know how each other works, yet we are constantly thrown into situations that we have to try and get ourselves out of. That's where the humour comes from."[1] Bibby opined that viewers liked Lance the way he is and he agreed with them, saying "I just want to see him stay the way as he was when I was cast. I want him to be individual, and not get too hooked up with the other characters or their character traits."[1] Bibby revealed that he had become more distant from Lance, rather than like him. The actor added that he had matured, which the writers picked up on for Lance.[1]
Gambling
After Lance placed some bets while watching the horse racing, he soon became hooked on gambling.
Relationships
Writers created an on-screen partnership between Lance and Amy. They eventually break-up and writers paired Lance with
Departure
In November 2000, Jackie Brygel of the Herald Sun reported that Bibby had quit Neighbours and had already filmed his last scenes.[2] Bibby told Brygel that he rejected a new two year contract as he decided that it was time to move on.[2] He said "You don't know what other doors are going to open until you close one door. So I've made myself available and now we'll see what happens."[2] Bibby said he intended to audition for drama schools in Sydney and Perth.[2] The actor was emotional during his last day on set, telling Brygel that the cast had helped him grow up and were like a family to him.[2] Bibby's final scenes were not scheduled to be broadcast until 2001, but he told Brygel that Lance's exit would not be dramatic. He explained: "I don't die or lose any limbs either, so that's good. I'm glad because I do feel quite attached to old Lance by now."[2]
Returns
In April 2005, it was announced that Bibby had reprised his role for Neighbours' 20th anniversary. His return aired in July of that year.[7]
On 17 January 2018, it was announced that Bibby had reprised the role again, along with several other returning cast members, for a feature-length special episode, which first aired on 12 February 2018. The episode centres on a belated 21st birthday party for Toadie.[8]
Storylines
Hannah Martin develops a crush on Lance, a student in Year 9. Lance eventually asks Hannah out and they begin dating. Lance takes his mother's jewellery and gives it to Hannah to impress her. When Lance's father reveals the truth about the jewellery, Hannah is furious, but forgives Lance. After boasting to his mates that he had had sex with Hannah, Lance is dumped. Lance changes schools and moves to the other side of Erinsborough. Lance returns and he and Hannah become friends again. Ruth and Philip Martin, Hannah's father, are opposed to their children hanging around together. After a while, things calm down and Lance returns to Erinsborough High and Ruth rents Number 32 from Philip. Lance gets a job at a plant nursery, so he can raise some money to send them on holiday in the hope they will get back together.
After denting
After returning home from a camping trip, Anne finds a snake in her belongings. Lance tries to save his sister and he is bitten. Lance becomes jealous when Amy begins to spend much time with
Philip, Ruth and Hannah move to Darwin, so Lance moves in with Toadie and Joel Samuels. Lance reconciles with Amy, but she starts avoiding him and eventually reveals that she has been seeing Damien and that she is pregnant. Lance finds out Anne knew and he stops talking to her, but ultimately is responsible for Amy and Damian getting back together because he wants Amy to be happy and knows it will be with Damien, rather than himself. Both Lance and Toadie compete for
Lance helps Allana get away from her mother and they decide to go travelling in America. Lance enters a radio quiz in order to win some money. He becomes popular with listeners and the radio station bosses decide to feed him the answers, to keep him on air. Lance exposes the scam and he and Allana leave Erinsborough for the United States, where they set up their own sci-fi convention. Four years later, Lance returns to Erinsborough for a
Reception
A writer for the BBC's Neighbours website said Lance's most notable moment was "discovering that a possum had pooed in the veggie ragout" on a camping trip.[9] After Lance was seen dropping a washer into a public pay phone, the Australian national phone company said Neighbours would be found accountable if viewers began to copy the trick.[10] While reviewing Lance's departure, the Herald Sun's Jackie Brygel stated "it's goodbye to one of Ramsay Street's most kind-hearted, er, heart-throbs with the Loveable Lance farewelling his mates in Erinsborough."[11] Brygel was relieved that Lance was going somewhere different to the show's other departees, writing "And where, you may ask, is LL heading? To none other than the US with his main squeeze, Alana. Ah well, at least La La Land is a little further afield than the usual destination for ex-Ramsay Streeters – Queensland."[11]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Andrew Bibby Interview". Neighbours.com. June 2000. Archived from the original on 6 March 2001. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Brygel, Jackie (29 November 2000). "Bye bye Bibby". Herald Sun. Retrieved 6 March 2024 – via Gale.
- ^ a b c "Character: Lance Wilkinson2". BBC. Archived from the original on 5 September 2004. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
- ^ a b c Dasey, Annette; Brand, Claire (9–22 January 1999). "Hooked!". Inside Soap. No. 118. p. 16.
- ^ a b c d e "Problem child". Inside Soap. No. 131. 10–23 July 1999. p. 21.
- ^ a b c d e Young, Belinda (26 June – 2 July 1999). "Battle of the blondes". TV Week. No. 52. p. 22.
- ^ Green, Kris (14 April 2005). "More Neighbours returns confirmed". Digital Spy. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
- Metro. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
- ^ "Character: Lance Wilkinson1". BBC. Archived from the original on 30 August 2003. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
- ^ Herbison, Jason (10–23 July 1999). "Money for nothing". Inside Soap (131): 45.
- ^ a b Brygel, Jackie (28 March 2001). "Soap dish". Herald Sun. Retrieved 7 March 2024 – via Gale.