The Official Adventures in Odyssey Podcast

Bob: Hello, Odyssey fans. I'm Bob.

Jesse: And I'm Jesse. Welcome to the official Adventures in Odyssey Podcast.

Bob: Jesse, how often do you hear something and think, wait, I know that voice.

Jesse: On this podcast, constantly. But outside the studio? Yeah, it's pretty common.

Bob: Well, many of our fans had a similar experience when they heard the recent episode, Face the Future.

Jesse: A familiar voice returned to Odyssey after many years. And not just any voice, a voice connected to one of the most memorable episodes in Odyssey history.

Bob: We're going to talk with the actor behind that voice in a minute. If you're a long-time Focus on the Family Audio Drama fan, you recognize him from more than just Odyssey.

Jesse: For decades, he was part of the Focus on the Family Radio Theatre in many capacities: acting, directing, writing, and more.

Bob: And if you've listened to the Radio Theatre production of The Chronicles of Narnia, you've definitely heard him because he's the voice of fan-favorite faun, Mr. Tumnus.

Jesse: But in Odyssey, he's the voice of a character who can show up at any moment with an important message.

Bob: That's right. Today, we're talking with the voice of Malachi.

Jesse: His name is Philip Glassborow.

Bob: Let's go.

Bob: Philip, welcome to the podcast.

Guest (Male): Oh, thank you so much.

Bob: You know, this is the first time we've interviewed you here, but you've been involved with audio drama at Focus on the Family for decades. Do you remember the first time you heard Adventures in Odyssey?

Guest (Male): Well, now, Bob, the first time was that Paul McCusker had come to England to help with the, there's a sort of sister ministry here called Care for the Family, that was associated to Focus on the Family.

Guest (Male): They wanted to do some short Christian dramas to put on local radio here. So he came over talent-spotting to find out who could help, and I was one of the people he met. And he'd brought a bunch of Odyssey cassettes, they were cassettes back in those days, with him, and I heard them then, and my two daughters who were then nine and eleven, absolutely adored them. So, yeah, that was my first introduction.

Jesse: Well, Odyssey fans will recognize your voice as the voice of Malachi. In fact, I feel like I'm talking to an angel right now.

Guest (Male): Well, you are. You are.

Jesse: But you've been even more involved with the Focus on the Family Radio Theatre, which premiered in 1996. So, you talked about connecting with Paul McCusker. So, exactly how did you meet Dave Arnold and then, you know, how did you get that role with Radio Theatre, especially in those early days?

Guest (Male): Well, we got really friendly doing the little short dramas for English radio. They were called Family Matters. I think they were like family portraits that Focus had done.

Guest (Male): So then I got invited out to, it was Pomona, California, back then, in the Wild West days. So I was going to be working with Odyssey, and they were looking for something for the Odyssey listeners to go on to, maybe. And they realized quite quickly that trying to do anything for teens would be really difficult because I remember Paul saying you'd get audio bell-bottoms. You'd get some, you'd get things, you know, the slang changes so quickly. Their lifestyles change so quickly, more quickly than, you know, the core Odyssey age range.

Guest (Male): So then they decided to start doing some more classic theater, and that's when we started off with Christmas Carol.

Jesse: And Radio Theatre fans will recognize you as the voice of Mr. Tumnus in the Narnia stories. That had to be a lot of fun. How were you cast in that iconic role?

Guest (Male): Oh, you know, that was just glorious. Well, I mean, we were doing all seven of the Chronicles of Narnia, and there are a lot of roles in that. I think almost a hundred speaking roles. And we had some very prestigious, Oscar-winning actors, you know, playing all the key roles. But I think it was Dave. I think it was Dave who said, would I like to read Mr. Tumnus?

Guest (Male): At that time, I was mainly doing just the casting. And so it was very difficult for me to put myself forward if I wanted to do a role because, you know, I was really supposed to be casting other actors. So, I don't think I would have dared offered to do Tumnus, but anyway, it was the most glorious thing to do. I just loved every minute of it, and working with that team was unforgettable.

Jesse: Now, of course, if the fans go back and listen to it and listen to the credits, they're going to hear a name Philip Sherlock. Tell us who that is.

Guest (Male): Oh, okay. Well, when I started off as an actor here in England, in the theater and on radio, the name Philip Glassborow didn't seem very good stage name. And my middle name is Sherlock, and so I went with Philip Sherlock.

Guest (Male): And so, in the early days, I sort of had this kind of schizophrenic existence when acting I was Philip Sherlock, and writing and directing and other things I was Philip Glassborow. So, I realized I was probably a mistake looking back, but anyway, there you go. What do you know?

Bob: Well, thanks for clearing that up.

Guest (Male): Oh, right.

Jesse: And Philip, you have done it all, right? With Radio Theatre, I know you served many capacities, from writing and directing, to casting, acting, even creating the music. So what creative job haven't you done that you'd like to try?

Guest (Male): Oh, wow. Well, one of the things that I got to try apart from all the things you've mentioned was when we did The Screwtape Letters for Radio Theatre, with Andy Serkis.

Jesse: Yeah.

Guest (Male): I think your listeners will know him as Gollum in Lord of the Rings and so many other things, of course. And there was great interest in that, and so I ended up producing the TV documentary, which was called Andy Serkis Playing Screwtape.

Guest (Male): So that was really a wonderful experience. We went to CS Lewis's home in Oxford to record interviews there with some of his, you know, experts about Lewis and all the cast. So that was a lovely thing to do.

Bob: Before we shift gears, Philip, and talk about your latest work with us, we have a TRQ.

Jesse: Which stands for a Totally Random Question from one of our listeners.

Bob: And they can get pretty random. Piggy Lover wants to know, what is your favorite quote by someone? Is there a quote that you maybe one that you tend to repeat or one that's inspired you?

Guest (Male): Oh. Well, I wonder if I could give her a quote from Malachi.

Bob: Okay.

Guest (Male): Okay, if you happen to hear any heavenly music in the background, my wife Lizzie is giving a piano lesson in the next room. So, the random quote, well, I just came across when I was researching for this interview, was Malachi's speech at the end of the Malachi's Message episode. And he says, grace is never measured in excess, and strength always comes when you're at your weakest. Not when you think you're at your weakest, but when you truly are. So be strong in the faith you have, and the rest will be added unto you, it'll be just enough.

Jesse: Good words.

Guest (Male): And that's really helped me actually a few times. I think sometimes the things you say in a play, or find yourself writing, can sometimes, you know, come back and help you in later times.

Jesse: Yeah, that's a fantastic quote. So, thank you, Piggy Lover, for asking that TRQ. And thank you, Philip, for that very thoughtful answer. And actually, speaking of Malachi, who first appeared in 1998, really a legendary Odyssey role.

Jesse: The story goes that Paul McCusker sent you a draft of the script, and after you read it, you replied, I've never said this before, but I must play Malachi. So, what was it about that role that made you say that to Paul?

Guest (Male): Well, it's true. I had never said that before because as a casting director, I was always very timid about, you know, putting myself forward. But absolutely, I thought this was the most wonderful role, and the most wonderful script, and I just really felt that I might be able to do it justice. So, uncharacteristically, that's what I said. And they said, okay, yeah, you can have a try.

Bob: Is it true, Philip, that that episode was actually inspired by a sort of a stray isolated image that Paul thought of, it came to his mind, that wasn't really tied to any sort of story arc? Is there a story behind that?

Guest (Male): That's exactly right. And it's exactly like, in fact, CS Lewis. The inspiration for The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe was just an image that he'd seen in his mind of a faun walking through a snowy wood carrying parcels. And he had no idea at that point that it was going to develop into The Chronicles of Narnia.

Guest (Male): And likewise with Paul, Paul just had this idea of them opening, somebody opening the Imagination Station, and a man falling out. And he started to think, well, who would it be? And why would he be there? And he was doing himself some Q&A, it's one of the ways Paul works. And he developed from that that it could be maybe an angel, which I think at that time, had never really been explored before in Odyssey, a kind of a supernatural presence in the show.

Guest (Male): And Paul's also told me that the fact that Malachi had come to give inspiration to the various characters that he meets, sort of tied in with the fact that at just at that time, the whole show, all the creative team felt slightly in need of a new burst of inspiration, and it came. That was a lovely tie-up, I thought.

Jesse: Oh, for sure. And again, just like you said, Malachi's Message. It was a big show then, but it was a critical turning point in Odyssey that has, you know, lasted 30 years later. So, I know it's been a long time since you were in the studio, but can you describe maybe the feeling of what it was like to be in the studio, or maybe a story of working with the other actors during that show?

Guest (Male): Well, it was, I mean, gobsmacking, we would say here. That means hitting your mouth. I mean, to be in a room with those legendary people. I got to know their voices because I'd listened to lots of Odysseys with my daughters. But I mean, they are all, and were, those who are gone, such amazing actors, and the cream, the crème de la crème of Hollywood voice talent.

Guest (Male): And quite a few of my scenes were with Walker Edmiston as Tom Riley. He's just the most wonderful actor. They were all so kind and generous and welcoming, you know, here's this limey Englishman walking into a room full of, you know, top Hollywood actors, but they were just so lovely. Katie was very welcoming. I had a lovely scene with Townsend where he was quite, he was quite aggressive towards Malachi, and that had a nice payoff. Paul Herlinger, of course.

Guest (Male): But the one that I really hit it off with was Will Ryan, who played Eugene, because we bonded over a love of guitar music and banjo music and ukulele music and songs. And and we stayed fast friends forever since then. He helped me, we worked together on some programs for the BBC about cowboy songs, for heaven's sake. And whenever I went to LA for BBC projects after that, we would always meet up. And his extraordinary house was just stuffed with amazing, rare LPs and movie memorabilia from all the, you know, he'd been in all the Disney films. And so we became very good friends and that was, that was a joy.

Bob: In the years since the Malachi story aired, has anyone ever recognized you in public for that voice?

Guest (Male): No, I don't think so because I don't, well, we don't have a lot of Odyssey fans here in England, apart from my granddaughters and their friends. So, I probably don't quite talk quite like I do for Malachi. Maybe I do, I don't know what do I talk like. But no, I don't think anyone's ever recognized me.

Bob: But you do hear from fans, right? I mean, have you gotten some interesting bits of fan mail through the years?

Guest (Male): Do you know, angels don't get fan mail.

Bob: Is that right? Okay.

Guest (Male): Yeah, it's headed off at the Pearly Gates. They don't allow any fan mail through because it'll swell your head.

Bob: Okay, yeah, pride has been an issue up there before.

Guest (Male): Oh, yes. Oh, that's very theologically sound, by goodness me.

Jesse: So, Philip, listeners now know that Malachi returned in an episode titled Face the Future. But before this episode, was there ever any talk of Malachi returning in a different way?

Guest (Male): Oh. Oh, I wish I knew. There may have been, they didn't tell me. And I was just so relieved that they actually asked me back. And when they did decide to revive Malachi, because I, you know, it could have gotten another actor or, but no, not that I know of. I mean, I think Malachi should, you know, turn up on a regular basis, but that's never really been mooted.

Bob: With your previous appearance, Malachi had messages for several different people in Odyssey. This time, this time it was a one specific message for Connie. Talk about recording your scenes with Katie Leigh. If you were able to give Katie an angelic message, what would that be?

Guest (Male): Oh, wow. Of course, it would be well done, good and faithful servant. I mean, Katie Leigh has been the, well, not the only, but the backbone of this show since day one, hasn't she? And she is just such an incredible artist. And then you look at the other voice work that she's done over the years for everyone.

Guest (Male): But yeah, again, she's just a wonderful person, and she was so kind. When we were doing this new show, I was in London in a recording studio, tried hooked up, but they were, of course, in Burbank or Los Angeles or wherever. And it was tricky with the technology, and she was just so sweet, reassuring, helping me. A couple of the lines I would stumble over and she would just very sweetly help me. So, God bless Katie.

Bob: Philip, when you're not voicing heavenly beings or, for that matter, hosting piano lessons, what fills your day? What do you enjoy spending time on?

Guest (Male): Well, I'm still writing a lot for radio here in England, directing. I'm for the first time ever, I'm developing an animation, which is really exciting. I'm sorry about the piano lesson.

Bob: Oh, no, it's very pleasant actually.

Guest (Male): Oh, good. A little background music. I mean, you know, I mean, John Campbell, I should have got John Campbell to write to you. Why didn't we think of that? And, yeah, so the animation is very exciting, and I've not done that before. I mean, it'll still be voice casting and directing in a studio, but it'll be for the soundtrack for a film. So, that's new. And otherwise, walking the dog, and trying to keep fit, but failing.

Jesse: Philip, it has been just amazing to have you on the podcast. Your love for Odyssey, your love for the Lord, and your love just for the craft, and telling amazing stories is just so evident during this conversation. So, thank you so much for your time.

Bob: Yeah.

Guest (Male): Oh, well, Jesse and Bob, thank you. It's been such a pleasure and an honor. I was really quite nervous because I don't want to let you down. But I hope the conversation was coherent at least.

Bob: Oh, we enjoyed it, and I'm sure our fans are going to enjoy it too. Thank you. Thank you very, very much.

Guest (Male): And God bless you.

Jesse: Philip brings so much warmth and conviction to Malachi. And really to everything he does.

Bob: If you're listening to Album 80 on the radio or online, you know that the first episode with Malachi, titled Face the Future, was only the beginning.

Jesse: Next came Face the Unknown last weekend, which you can still hear for free on our website if you missed it. But the story didn't end there.

Bob: Nope, the concluding adventure titled Face the Truth comes out this weekend. Chris, can you tell us what's going on in that story?

Chris: Next time on Adventures in Odyssey.

Female Voice: Still nothing?

Female Voice: Nope.

Female Voice: I think she's turned off her phone.

Chris: Renee has vanished.

Female Voice: She's packed it all up and left.

Female Voice: She's gone.

Chris: And Connie may be too late to stop what's coming.

Female Voice: I'm writing to inform you of my official and formal resignation from Whit's End.

Chris: A life-changing decision. Next time on Adventures in Odyssey.

Jesse: That's this weekend on the radio and online. And This Is My Story, the final episode of Album 80 airs the weekend after that.

Bob: And after this album finishes airing, we'll be doing another call-in Q&A podcast, but this time it's with the production team. Stay tuned.

Jesse: Okay, Bob, before we close, time for another preview.

Bob: Okay.

Jesse: Album 80 has been in the club for a while now, so what's new there?

Bob: We have a new adventure coming out tomorrow, April 2nd. It's called Word in the Hallway.

Jesse: Hey, Chris, sorry to bug you again, but what's happening in this story?

Chris: Now on the Adventures in Odyssey Club. Zoe wants to work for the school magazine.

Female Voice: I have to submit my best articles to the Parliament Press editors.

Chris: But another student's in the way.

Male Voice: The Parliament only has one reporter spot left, and Von Hartman's after it.

Chris: And when a hallway incident starts rumors?

Female Voice: I hear Von's a total bully. He pushed a girl down in the hallway yesterday.

Female Voice: That was me.

Male Voice: If Von's banned from the middle school grounds, Zoe gets the position on the magazine.

Chris: Will the truth come to light? Find out, only on the Adventures in Odyssey Club.

Jesse: Okay, quick recap before we land this plane. This weekend, the conclusion of the Renee and Connie story, Face the Truth, is on the radio and online.

Bob: Tomorrow in the club, you can hear the brand new adventure, Word in the Hallway. To hear Album 80 in the club or to become a member, visit AdventuresinOdyssey.com.

Jesse: Or if you need to talk to someone in person, you can call 1-800-A-FAMILY.

Bob: That's all for this edition of the official Adventures in Odyssey Podcast, a presentation of Focus on the Family. I'm Bob.

Jesse: And I'm Jesse. Reminding you that with God in your life, every day is an adventure.

Guest (Male): And Rosie, who's now 17, is still listening, still she's an Odyssey Adventure Club fan, and she wouldn't miss an episode. And I think she can do some of them, you know, dialogue.