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03
Dec
Knaresborough residents give Tinsel Town verdict at town premiere
A small cohort of Knaresborough locals were treated to an early screening of Tinsel Town last night (December 2).
The Sky and Future Artists Entertainment film, a Christmas comedy partly shot in Knaresborough, will be officially released on Friday (December 5).
But the Stray Ferret joined a full house at last night's exclusive showing at the Frazer Theatre to get the people's verdict.
The event was organised by a resident called Matthew, who said he felt it was right that the film should be shown in Knaresborough before it went on general release.
Hollywood descended on the town in February, and features prominently in the film.
Matthew told the Stray Ferret he chanced his luck by messaging a representative of Sky on LinkedIn and asked if it would allow him to screen the film ahead of its official release.
The representative agreed and Matt felt the Frazer Theatre was the perfect venue to host the screening.
Sian Pearce, secretary of the Knaresborough Players, which owns and manages the theatre, said Tinsel Town was the venue's biggest screening to date.
People were queueing outside at 6.40pm — 50 minutes before the start.
At the first glimpse of Knaresborough – or Stoneford, as it is called in the film – the audience cheered with pride.
The huge applause at the end of the film indicated people enjoyed it, but what did they really think?
It certainly earned the approval of the mayor of Knaresborough, Helen Westmancoat, who said:
Tinsel Town was really excellent. I was so pleased to see so much of Knaresborough and it’s going to be a real boost for the town.
Ms Westmancoat, who rated the film a nine-out-of-ten, said it is “definitely” a good advert for the town.
Mark Ferguson, who said it was his first time at the Frazer Theatre, felt the film was a “really good advert for a pantomime”.
“It really makes you want to go and see Harrogate pantomime, or the pantomime here [at The Frazer Theatre]”, Mr Ferguson said.
He added:
I think Knaresborough and Wetherby were featured well and I think it came across very well.
Like most films, people want to go and see the locations… people love to see where they were filmed and Knaresborough is a wonderful place to visit. It’s an absolutely superb place with views from the bridge and the castle – it’s a really brilliant place to be.
Filming in Green Dragon Yard, Knaresborough. Photo: Jodie Teggin and Kelly Young.
'It was just great fun'
Kath Barton, who lives in London but joined her friends from Knaresborough at the screening, described the film as “joyous”. She said:
For me, it was about bringing a community together both through the story and through seeing the scenes. I do know the town as I have been quite a few times. It was joyous to see all those bits of the town and the locals coming together – it was just great fun.
Ms Barton said Tinsel Town was a “brilliant advert” for Knaresborough, which she described as a beautiful town, and said it was “shown at its best” in the film.
She told the Stray Ferret the film would “definitely” boost tourism in Knaresborough, which is already a well-known tourist hotspot, but added:
It’s not just about tourism, it’s about bringing the community that lives here together, which is the most important thing – as a panto does.
John Pearce at last night's screening.
John Pearce, vice-chairman of Knaresborough Players, organised the event alongside his wife, Sian.
Mr Pearce said:
It’s been a really great evening. I think everybody has really enjoyed the film – everyone has walked out with a big smile on their face – and it’s made Knaresborough look like the beautiful town that it is. It’s a real great advert for our community and I hope it means even more people visit us in the future.
If this isn't an advert for Knaresborough, I don't know what is.
A second screening at The Frazer Theatre is taking place tomorrow (December 4) evening.
A number of pubs across the town are also screening the film on Friday – its official release day – for free. You can read more about those screenings by clicking here.
The Stray Ferret attended Tinsel Town’s world premiere in London last week. We caught up with some of the stars, including Rebel Wilson, Katherine Ryan and even Robbie Williams’ family, about what they thought of the Harrogate district.
You can read more of our exclusive coverage of the London premiere here and here.
Stars rave about Knaresborough and Harrogate at Tinsel Town premiereWATCH: ‘It’s so pretty’, Ayda Field Williams and daughter Teddy on their time in Harrogate and KnaresboroughGALLERY: Stars attend red carpet premiere of Knaresborough Christmas film Tinsel TownThe Hollywood spotlight falls on Knaresborough
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