Paul Dalgarno's audiobook narrated in a unique recording space

The very talented and professional artist Fiona Macleod has been immersed in recording the narration of A Country of Eternal Light by Paul Dalgarno (Harper Collins Publishing) within an unusual recording location, a quaint theatre in South Melbourne.

EM Voices sat down with Fiona to understand why this particular narration holds such significance for her and why she is attracted not only to the book and the narrator but also to the recording space.

What does this job mean to you?

I love all the voice work I do, and I particularly love narrating audiobooks, as the long form is both a challenge and a joy; it allows me to get lost in the telling of a story. A Country of Eternal Light is a very special book – it deals with the subtle space between life and death and traverses the pain, joy and grief of life in such an intriguing and engaging way. I have been completely absorbed in it and very possibly changed by it.

How are you connected to Margaret Bryce, the narrator of the book?

The narrator of this book, Margaret Bryce, is a Scot. I was born in Scotland and spoke with a Scottish accent as a toddler before moving to Melbourne when I was two. Since then, I have visited Scotland many times, with family growing up, and then as an actor, performing at Edinburgh Fringe many times. In the year 2000, I was welcomed under Edinburgh Castle, and even though I grew up in Australia, the connection I feel to Scotland and its people is very strong.

Why do you love the book A Country of Eternal Light, by Paul Dalgarno?

As soon as I started reading it, I could so clearly hear Margaret’s voice. Paul Dalgarno has written such a vivid, complex character that I immediately related to her – her lightness, her rye humour, and her curiosity and insight were so engaging that it was an absolute joy and a huge privilege to be able to bring her to ‘life’, or more appropriately, to give her words an actual voice. Narrating this book has felt a lot like going home. I absolutely love this book.

What is the connection with the theatre?

This is one of the most unusual recording locations I have worked in so far – this little theatrette was rescued from Kodak recently when they were renovating and is now located at CameraQuip in South Melbourne. Sound Producer Ian MacWilliams loves using it because of it’s wonderful acoustics.