Feb 09 2009
Is Janine Drew The Woman For You?
Vultures, the story of three private detectives who run an investigation agency in small town Ireland, Vulture Private Investigations. They specialise in divorce cases, fraud, missing persons, animals and plants and occasionally, just occasionally, they’ll be served up something that approximates a mystery.
“I wouldn’t be caught dead with a lad with sandals and socks. No offense like.”
The fourth episode of the online sitcom, The Case of the Poisoned Dates, went live last week on VulturesPI.com, seeing the arrival of the Transition Year student, Janine Drew, into the V.P.I. office for work experience.
Nuns could be watching me frisk a schoolgirl.
An episode full of romantic entanglements that degenerate into a potential powder keg of social embarrassment and comic violence, my favourite episode so far sees Dan McGrain, Jim Vultour and Niall Tennyson, the hapless gentleman detectives joined by Inspector Leeson, Isabelle Vultour, Tom Moriarty and give-him-his-own-spin-off-show Jack Street (played by Ross Costigan who also has his directorial debut). As each episode progresses the performances get stronger and funnier and the show’s storyline starts to take shape. Threats from the rival agency, Pinkertons, hint at a big series finish and the hope of a second series.
Though the leads, played by David Thompson, John Morton and Sean Hackett, have settled into their roles perfectly now and give their best performances so far, it is Suzanne O’Brien as the brash, intelligent chav, Janine Drew, who steals the show. Funny, sharp and bitterly sarcastic, she has to become a regular part of the show.
The series has built a strong following locally in Kilkenny and, indeed, nationally, with interest continuing to grow. You can view all previous episodes along with production material for the series such as trailers, promo videos, character profiles and development work on VulturesPI.com or check out Ross Costigan’s blog for more, including behind the scenes Director’s Diary, photography and video podcasts.
Vultures is also available on iTunes. If you enjoy The Case Of The Poisoned Dates, please spread the word and support the Vultures and all the work they have put in to make this great series.
And if you want to see some more of Janine, check out her video profile:
