Lolly Allen
Lolly Allen | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Shannon Louise Allen, Lolly Carpenter |
| Occupation | Fictional character |
| Years active | 1994–2001, 2006–2007, 2013 |
| Known for | Character on Neighbours |
Shannon Louise "Lolly" Allen (also known as Carpenter) is a character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, making her debut on 25 July 1994. The role was initially portrayed by Tessa Taylor as a newborn before Jiordan Tolli assumed the part shortly thereafter. Tolli's exit in 2001 was a mutual decision between her family and the show's producers. In 2006, Adelaide Kane earned her role as Lolly by winning the Dolly "Neighbours Next Big Stars" contest, securing a three-month contract. Kane departed from the series in June 2007 after her contract was not extended. Tolli later returned for a guest stint in October 2013.
Casting
The character was first played by Tessa Taylor, with Jiordan Tolli taking over at two months old to portray Lou Carpenter (Tom Oliver) and Cheryl Stark's (Caroline Gillmer) daughter. Tolli worked alongside Oliver until her departure in 2001, which was described as a timely and agreed-upon decision by both the production team and her family.
In 2006, a casting competition organized by teen magazine Dolly and Neighbours attracted around 7,000 hopefuls seeking new young actors. Adelaide Kane and Sam Clark were chosen to join the cast as Lolly and Ringo Brown respectively, each signing contracts lasting three months. Kane moved to Melbourne for filming under her mother's supervision but left the show by December 2006 when her contract was not renewed, leaving her character less established on Australian television.
Development
Lolly is the biological child of Cheryl Stark (Caroline Gillmer) and was raised by Lou Carpenter (Tom Oliver) following Cheryl’s death when Lolly was two years old. After John Allen (Adrian Mulraney) revealed he was Lolly’s biological father, she went to live with him and his wife. Initially described as "sweet," Lolly returned in 2007 portrayed as a "rebellious teenager." Network Ten depicted her as an "attention seeking" individual with a troubled nature, adept at deception.
Pepper Steiger (Nicky Whelan) notices a bruise on Lolly and suspects abuse, which turns out to be inflicted by her stepmother, Sandy Allen (Catherine Hill). When confronted by Pepper, Lolly falsely accuses Pepper of violence, resulting in Pepper’s suspension until Lolly confesses the truth. During Sandy’s visit to Ramsay Street, unable to face the abuse directly, Lolly attempts to sabotage what she believes is Sandy’s car. The plan goes awry, culminating in a struggle near a pool where Lolly pushes Sandy, causing her to hit her head. Lolly then rescues Sandy and admits everything to Lou.
In August 2013, it was confirmed that Tolli would reprise the role of Lolly for a guest appearance celebrating Lou’s 70th birthday. Tolli expressed feeling at ease returning to filming due to her childhood experience on the show. Lolly made her return on 4 October 2013.
Storylines
Lolly is born on the same day as Zac Willis (Jay Callahan). Their mothers, Cheryl and Gaby (Rachel Blakely), both intended to name their daughters Shannon but ultimately chose their middle names instead. When Lolly is two years old, Cheryl dies trying to save her from an oncoming vehicle, leaving Lou to raise her alone. During Millennium celebrations while Michelle Scully (Kate Keltie) babysits, Lolly is left unattended and accidentally sets fire to the house after finding matches and fireworks. Drew Kirk (Dan Paris) rescues her from harm. Later, she nearly drowns in a pool at Number 30 but is saved by Darcy Tyler (Mark Raffety). Lou receives correspondence from John Allen concerning his affair with Cheryl; however, a paternity test disproves his claim. Lou then relinquishes custody to John Allen’s family; although Lolly leaves Ramsay Street, she maintains contact.
Six years later, fifteen-year-old Lolly returns to Erinsborough displaying attention-seeking behaviors such as stealing and lying. She reveals abuse inflicted by her stepmother Sandy, leading Lou to expel Sandy and threaten legal action. John Allen and Sandy subsequently separate. Lolly develops romantic feelings for Ringo Brown, who is dating Rachel Kinski (Caitlin Stasey), but Ringo regards her more like a sibling.
Lolly begins dating Rachel’s brother Zeke (Matthew Werkmeister). Missing her siblings deeply, she confides in Bree Timmins (Sianoa Smit-McPhee) about wanting to return to her biological family. Despite emotional appeals from Lou and Zeke for her to stay in Erinsborough, Bree and Harold Bishop (Ian Smith) persuade them otherwise. Lou purchases plane tickets for a trip to Moscow to visit his girlfriend Mishka Schneiderova (Deborah Kennedy) before Lolly returns home to Adelaide. Six years later, Lauren Carpenter (Kate Kendall) invites Lolly back for Lou’s 70th birthday celebration.
Reception
In 2008, Kane received a nomination for the Most Popular New Female Talent Logie Award due to her role as Lolly. A writer from the BBC highlighted Lolly's memorable scene as "Being trapped in a burning house." Upon her comeback, Roz Laws of the Sunday Mercury remarked that Lolly had matured yet continued to "stir up trouble." Meanwhile, a correspondent from the Daily Post pointed out that beneath her outwardly sweet demeanor, Lolly's true nature soon becomes apparent.