If only tube elocution was was more like this...
...although there's a brilliant announcement at Bank station where THE emphasis is HILARIOUSLY wrong - a bit like those commercials for furniture stores sales where the shop owner has foolishly decided to do it himself rather than pay a proper actor.
Anyone of a certain age from the south east ITV region (always brilliantly shonky & amateurish whether it was TVS, Meridian or whatever) might remember the late night adverts for Folkestone Sunday market where a still photograph with some letraset was over laid with the classic slogan 'bring large bags...& little money, to Folkestone Sunday Market'- they don't make 'em like that any...you get the idea!
Ahem! Article follows...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2010/mar/13/michael-holden-all-ears
(Article by Michael Holden)
On a stationary plane the pilot made an announcement explaining that the aircraft must be de-iced prior to take off-hence our delay. He spoke clearly and with authority, this, combined with the implicit reminder that supersonic travel in freezing weather isn't something to be taken for granted quelled the collective sense of displeasure that had been spreading through the cabin. The couple next to me seemed impressed and reassured.
Woman: "They must go to college."
Man: "Who?"
Woman: "The Pilots."
Man: "Eh?"
Woman: "They must get training. In how to talk to people like that. So clearly."
Man: "I used to do that. Make announcements."
Woman: "When?"
Man: "I did work experience on the Victoria line."
Woman: "And they let you make the announcements?"
Man: "I think maybe they did it just to keep us busy."
Woman: "What sort of things did you have to say?"
Man: "Ladies and gentlemen, due to a person under a train at Caledonian Roadthere is no southbound service on the Picadilly line."
Woman: "And you used that voice?"
Man: "No, I used a nicer one. A sort of posh woman's voice."
Woman: (frowning, incredulous) "Let's hear it then…"
Man: (He gave her a look and then used a measured but nonetheless ridiculous tone, like a professional sportsman reduced to playing a pantomime dame, but determined to make a go of it) "Due to a person under a train there is no…"
Woman "Eugh, that's enough."
Man: "It sounds better over the PA.It comes out clearer."
Woman: "I'm glad you never got the job."
Man: "I never wanted it."
She scowled and turned back to her thick book of puzzles, as though they might prove more soluble somehow than the real world, and the man with whom she was about to go on holiday. .
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