Viv Newton
Aviva "Viv" Newton | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Fictional character |
| Known for | Home and Away |
Aviva "Viv" Newton is a character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by Mouche Phillips. She made her first appearance on 5 July 1989, after Phillips learned of her successful audition through a message left on an answering machine. Filming commenced that same week, although Phillips found the process unsatisfactory. Viv’s character was written out in 1990, with her final episode airing on 25 May. Phillips later expressed dissatisfaction with the role, describing it as monotonous and lacking challenge, but returned to portray Viv in the 1991 UK tour of Home and Away: The Musical.
Casting
While residing with cast member Justine Clarke (who played Roo Stewart), Phillips attended her audition. The producers informed her of her casting via an answering machine message. Filming began immediately following Clarke's departure from set, creating a feeling of role exchange between the two actresses. Phillips recalled her initial day on set as "dreadful," feeling unprepared during filming. She also noted a preference for staying occupied behind the scenes and was often difficult to find because she was not always in the expected locations.
Development
Karen Krizanovich of TV Guide observed that Viv was introduced to bring a touch of glamour to everyday life in Summer Bay. Characterized as "feisty and beautiful," Viv’s story arcs included a romantic relationship with Matt Wilson (Greg Benson) before reconnecting with Steven Matheson (Adam Willits), who, while less charming, offered more reliability.
Phillips departed from the series in 1990, citing scheduling conflicts and a desire for greater flexibility. Viv’s exit storyline featured her reunion with her long-lost sister Tammy Newton (Katy Edwards) and their subsequent move to the countryside with their mother. Phillips disclosed that she initially accepted the role to further her career but found the scripts repetitive and unstimulating, nearly causing her to leave acting altogether.
In 1991, Phillips returned as Viv for Home and Away: The Musical, a UK stage production with a budget of £1.6 million. The cast included Craig Thomson, Julian McMahon, Sharyn Hodgson, and Justine Clarke. This seventeen-week tour concluded with a five-day engagement in Leicester. However, Phillips and Clarke boycotted the final performance due to contractual disagreements, resulting in audience dissatisfaction and a formal inquiry by Leicester City Council that demanded compensation for ticket holders.
Storylines
Viv meets Steven Matheson and Brian 'Dodge' Forbes while she is in the city. She confides that she is escaping from her abusive father John, who is a reverend. Steven and Dodge escort her back to Summer Bay, where Lance Smart and his mother, Colleen, agree to protect Viv by pretending she is a relative staying with them.
John later arrives, winning over everyone with his charm but manipulating Viv through her younger sister Tammy to return home. Once there, John confines Viv in a cupboard; Tammy rescues her and contacts Steven. Steven and Bobby Simpson come to their aid, imprison John in the cupboard, and escape with the sisters back to Summer Bay. Bobby requests that her father Donald Fisher allow Viv and Tammy to stay. Upon uncovering John's true nature, Donald contacts Howard West from Child Services, who offers Viv and Tammy the option of entering a children’s home or returning to John under supervision. Tammy reluctantly goes back; Viv remains with Donald and Bobby.
At school, Viv endures bullying from Vicki Baxter due to Donald's role as headmaster and guardian. She finds support in newcomer Emma Jackson, who encourages her to stand up against oppression. After nearly being assaulted by two men while skipping school, Viv is rescued by Steven and Alf Stewart. Despite concerns about moving too quickly, Viv begins dating Steven; Vicki’s attempts to break them up prove unsuccessful.
When Tammy escapes from their father heading toward Summer Bay, Viv searches for her until they reunite. Social worker Helen Wakefield locates their mother, Angela Newton, who had left years earlier to work on a lavender farm in Queensland. The family reunion is fraught but hopeful. Preparing to depart Summer Bay together, Viv and Steven agree to maintain contact before Viv ultimately ends their relationship through a letter.
Reception
Ian Brandes from The People attributed a significant boost to Phillips' career due to this role, referring to Viv as a "rebellious teenager." An article in the Stockport Express Advertiser described her as a "Summer Bay actress" best known as "Steven's distant girlfriend, who suffered abuse from her vicar father."
References
- Hayward, Anthony. The who's who of soap operas. Guinness Publishing Ltd, 1991. ISBN 0-85112-966-8.
- Black, Andrea (ed.). Home and Away – Official Collector's Edition, Pacific Magazines, 28 January 2009, Issue 1.