Shoebox Zoo
Vivien Endicott-Douglas
is Marnie McBride
According to everyone who worked on Shoebox Zoo, the
young Canadian actress, Vivien Endicott-Douglas, is a star in the making.
听
Her co-star, the actor and director Peter Mullan, says
she reminds him of "a young Jodie Foster".
听
With a recommendation like that, it's obvious this
13-year-old from Toronto is going places.
听
As the pivotal figure in Shoebox Zoo, linking the real
world with a magical one inhabited by wizards, illusionists and carved
wooden animals who walk and talk, Vivien bears a big responsibility
on her young shoulders.
听
Shoebox Zoo is Vivien's first job in television. Until
now, her only professional acting jobs have been small parts in short
films and some radio work in Canada.
听
As Vivien explains, her love of acting goes back a long
way.
听
"When I was little I always loved to watch The
Sound of Music," she says.
听
"I would always make my mum act everybody else
while I was Maria and sing all the songs. All
my dolls would be the kids and we would just play it over and over again."
听
When viewers first meet Marnie, it is the day of her
11th birthday, her mother has recently died and Marnie has yet to shed
a tear.
听
She has been uprooted from her home in Denver, Colorado
and finds it tough to settle into her new Scottish surroundings.
听
A fish out of water, she has no idea what is in store
for her until the animals come to life and join her on the quest for
the Lost Book of Forbidden Knowledge, which will change her life forever.
"When I act the role of Marnie," smiles Vivien, "I just
imagine these little creatures in front of me and it seems to work OK.
听
"The voices are great. They are a huge part of
how I am able to imagine them being real living breathing creatures.
They really help bring the characters to life."
听
Vivien says she has learned a lot from her fellow actors
although she was a little nervous about the prospect.
听
"At first I was a bit intimidated, but once I
met them I realised how down-to-earth they are."
听
Both her younger siblings, she says, are enthralled
by the story of Shoebox Zoo, although her little brother, Gareth, is
"terrified" of Professor Toledo.
听
"Whenever he sees Tony, who plays Toledo, he cowers
behind me," she explains.
听
"We have to explain to him that Tony isn't really
like that but it gives you an idea of how good Tony is at his job of
being a baddie!
听
"I think kids will absolutely love Shoebox Zoo
because it has magic and real life mixed in together.
听
"They will be able to identify with characters
like Marnie and her friends because they聮re totally believable.
听
"The magical world is so enthralling, they won't
want to leave it."
听
Although Vivien admits filming Shoebox Zoo has been
hard work, she still can't believe she landed such a great part.
"When I first read it, a chill went through my body. The whole
story sounded so exciting. Working on it has been like a dream.
听
"When I've been feeling tired out by all the long
days on set, I tell myself this is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. I can't
believe how lucky I am to be involved in it."
听
Printable version