A FILM producer who grew up in Clent has told of his delight at being able to film his first feature at his old school and at some key Worcestershire locations.
Joe Andrews has teamed up with director and writer Peter Lavery to produce All That Glitters - a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
The film, which is set in a UK school, has been shot on location at Haybridge High School in Hagley, in the Clent area and in Bewdley including scenes at the Severn Valley Railway.
Paul Ready, start of British sitcom Motherland, is among the cast which also comprises Elliot Grihault (from House of the Dragon – prequel to Game of Thrones), English actor Tim Downie whose film and TV credits include Peep Show, Outlander, The King’s Speech and Paddington among many more, and James Craven (Geek Girl, House of the Dragon).
The film, the first feature offering from Joe Andrews and Peter Lavery of London-based Clover Fox Films, is described as a young adult comedy-drama inspired by Shakespeare and how he might have presented the play in modern times.
Grihault stars as Ryan, a lighting technician for his school’s Romeo and Juliet play, who falls hopelessly in love with the show’s lead actress Jasmine.
Helpfully for Ryan, the ghost of Shakespeare himself shows up in his room one night offering to teach him the role of Romeo so he can star alongside Jasmine in the play.
It’s not plain sailing, however, with Jasmine’s older friend Billy hanging around and other potential Romeos getting in the way as he tries to win over his Juliet.
A number of aspiring local actors have been enlisted to appear as extras in the movie, which also features artwork created by local pupils and cameo appearances by a couple of staff members at Haybridge.
Joe, who went to Elmfield School in Stourbridge before moving to Haybridge High School in Hagley, said it has been good to be back in Worcestershire, particularly his former home village of Clent, working on his first feature.
He told the News: “It’s coming along nicely.
“It’s been lovely to see everybody getting excited – there’s a bit of a buzz in the village. It’s brought people together.”
Joe, aged 24, who studied filmmaking at MetFilm School in London, said growing up he struggled somewhat with Shakespeare and the Bard’s antiquated language - and he hopes All That Glitters will be a refreshing and relatable modern day take on the prolific playwright’s most famous love story.
The film is expected to be released in spring 2025, if all goes to plan.
Joe said it is hoped that there will be a theatrical release first and that the film will also be available to watch via streaming services.
He added that he would be keen to be able to host a screening locally too when the film comes out as a thank you to all those in the Black Country and Worcestershire who have got involved with the project.
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