UK’s First Northern Soul Film To Be Premiered In Stoke-on-Trent
19 Jul 2010
The premiere of the first UK film about Northern Soul is set to be aired in Stoke-on-Trent, and music fans are being given the chance to party all night to celebrate.
SoulBoy, which pays tribute to the Wigan Casino, a legendary music club in the 1970s, will be shown in the King’s Hall on Saturday 21 August – a full week before it is released in cinemas nationwide.
And the film, which was shot almost entirely Stoke-on-Trent, will be followed by an all night party featuring the best of Northern Soul DJs and special guests.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council leader Mohammed Pervez said:
“Hundreds of local people were recruited as extras for the film’s big dance scene. It is fantastic news that the premiere will be held here in the city. We’re proud to have been involved and show our city’s rich heritage and culture.”
SoulBoy is a coming of age story set against the backdrop of the Northern Soul movement and stars young British actors Martin Compston (Sweet Sixteen), Alfie Allen (The Kid), Nichola Burley (StreetDance 3D) and Felicity Jones (Cemetery Junction).
The film has already received praise for its authentic depiction of the seventies soul scene, including its costumes and soundtrack.
Director Shimmy Marcus said:
Star Martin Compston said:
Stoke-on-Trent, like Wigan, was a hotbed for Northern Soul in the seventies and staged all-nighters at Tunstall’s Gold Torch and Hanley’s Top Rank.
Film producer Christine Alderson added:
After a VIP reception at 7pm, the film will be shown in the Kings Hall from 7.30pm, complete with appearances by the cast. And after the film, the hall will be turned into a dancefloor from 9pm until 7am, featuring music from original Wigan Casino DJs Russ Winstanley, Kev Roberts and Dave Evison. The 10-hour DJ set will also include Keb Darge, Jo Wallace, Liam Quinn, Eddie Piller and Fun Lovin’ Criminals frontman Huey Morgan, who has a cameo role in the film.
The event is being held in association with the city council and Screen West Midlands.
Dan Lawson, head of production and development at Screen West Midlands said:
Tickets for the premiere and all-nighter cost £20 and are available to purchase from www.sodapictures.com or contact Stoke-on-Trent Tourist Information Centre on 01782 236000 or by email at stoke.tic@stoke.gov.uk.
For more information about the film, visit www.soulboythefilm.co.uk.
Great news and I'm glad that
Great news and I'm glad that Soul - on - Trent will be holding the public premiere.
I was listening to Huey on 6 music this morning and he asked to be remembered to Paul Weller at the end of a co-presenter's interview with the Modfather. Weller said something along the lines of "Huey the Criminal, he's on the radio now? F***ing chancer!" There must have been a dozen apologies in the next 2 minutes :)
It comes to something whem
It comes to something whem one of Stoke on Trent's civic halls is pick to replace a building a town like Wigan pulled down years ago. But still, never mind, came in handy in the long run, leaveing the hovell 40 some years out of date.
Caring for the city and all within it.
Having been a stagehand for
Having been a stagehand for more than 20 years I can assure everyone that Huey is one cool dude. Weller is so far up his own arse he's in serious danger of turning himself inside out. I had the great pleasure of evicting him from the stage, on the orders of the stage manager, at the V festival.
As for Kings Hall looking antiquated Warren - it's called heritage. At least it doesn't look like a space station eh?
--------------------------------------------------------
"The skeleton of our complete freedom is already formed.
The flesh and the clothing are lacking".
Post new comment