Talk of the town – Having a ball in the ballroom
A new film featuring stars such as comedian David Baddiel and Poldark’s Josh Whitehouse has been released, with profits going to charity. Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton, who starred in League of Gentlemen and currently writes and stars in Inside No. 9, also feature alongside Helen Lederer, who played Catriona in Absolutely Fabulous.
Local businesses such as Lambeth-based Direct Photographic and London Bridge-based record-label Anjunabeats were involved in making the film. Southwark-based band Too Many T’s also has a cameo as presenters.
All actors worked on the film for free and profits will go to CLIC Sargent, one of the UK’s largest cancer charity for children.
The film, called To Trend on Twitter, follows single mother Susie Jenkins as she finds unexpected internet fame for having a terminally ill son.
It premiered at Soho’s Curzon Theatre on December 1 and is now available to stream on vimeo.com
Josh Whitehouse, who plays Lieutenant Hugh Armitage in hit historical-drama Poldark and was recently cast in the Game of Thrones spin-off The Long Night, said: “I was happy to be helping raise awareness for a worthy cause and liked Andy’s style and vision for the project.”
The film also features the Rivoli Ballroom in Brockley, which is the only remaining 1950s ballroom in London.
Helen Lederer, who has lost both an aunt and a cousin to cancer, said: “It’s great to support this charity and I knew that it was a project of integrity with good people in it so what’s not to like?”
Writer and director Andy Wooding, who also financed the project through crowdfunding, said: “To Trend on Twitter came about thanks to some weird, dark things I heard about online and working in the entertainment industry.
“We’re in a very strange period and I wanted to create a slightly cautionary tale that explores the present day, rather than the future, and do it in a fun, light-hearted way.”
“I’m thrilled to have been able to make this film – which was a real, tear-inducing struggle at times – with so many kind-hearted, talented people, including some of my childhood heroes.”
“CLIC Sargent do amazing work and my goal is to help in a way that I can – and as I’m not a marathon runner that means making films.”
Andy is currently working on another comedy film, much of it set in South London.