I fully concur with the eloquently constructed reviews by Andy and Pete and Sue. As with all new things its best to go with an open mind. I have never seen a film production and to me it was really fascinating.The eye for technical detail and 'way ' scenes are built if you like was really interesting to watch.
As was mentioned it was a long day and tiring, but the motivation was kept high by the production crew and the people 'out on the floor' Talking of which ,i would just reinforce what Andy says ,generally about the younger element. Whilst dancing to out on the floor a couple teenage girls dancing near came across and asked me'Who sings this----we like this one'. takes yer back to when we first heard records and got smitten with them and we would sidle across on the dance floor to ask the very same question. The music doesn't change --people do and if its quality,- people will want to know more.
Experienced soulies and for want of a better word 'novices' all dancing to 'Hey sal oh ney Mickey lee lane on a saturday morning spun by Dave Evison in the Kings Hall in Stoke.
take a minute to digest that staement if you will! Very bizarre indeed but nevertheless strangely uplifting and arguably set the benchmark for the rest of day----- Everyone working (dancing) as one. I hadn't heard that for ages---sounded awesome and after it finished I glanced round and folks old and young looking at each other ,had for want of a better word again---a smirk, a grin as if to say 'Thats what we should be doing----now we know!'
To some folks there, it was a job of work,to some it was a labour of love for the music and dancing ,to some it was a curiousity, to some it was a real fascination and a need to know more. But what was undeniable was everyone gave what they could with a passion and hopefully it will show in the final product.
Managed to get a chat with one of the lead actors in this. He was in 'period costume' and standing on the sidelines just taking it all in. He said in his reaearch he did on northern soul he couldn't believe there was never a film made of this ages ago. I would quote him at this stage in saying' This had a massive impact on british youth sub culture at the time' Yes mate yer not wrong!!!!
He also explained that whilst we all hoped this would be a great success , the main obstacle would be to get a 'cinema' run with it. he also said that there is an undeniable energy and will to succeed from behind the scenes with all the staff ,crew actors etc.
Anyway apart from the Mickey lee lane 'moment' I mentioned earlier ,another one that stood out for me anyway' was-----
A couple of yards from the stage dancing to Tainted Love spun by Russ Winstanley and being watched from the stage by 'Les Battersby' in a tux and dickie bow Brilliant
yes I know ,I know----------- but it was that sort of day and I for one am really glad I had the experience .
If effort ,commitment and passion as shown by all ,on the day,is reflected in the final film then from a 1974 northern soul perspective it should be well worth a watch folks
Jez