Film-makers go west to shoot Proclaimers movie

By BRIAN FERGUSON
Published on 02/11/2012 00:00

IT is a big-screen movie set to propel the songs of The Proclaimers to a whole new level. Cameras have started rolling on the cinematic version of Sunshine on Leith, the stage musical about two soldiers returning to Edinburgh after serving in 
Afghanistan.

• Filming has begun on cinema adaption of Sunshine On Leith’, a musical about two soliders returning to Edinburgh after serving in Afghanistan

• Film features hit songs from The Proclaimers though majority of film is to be shot in Glasgow

But despite the bulk of the story taking place in the capital’s famous port, most of the shoot will be in Glasgow, where the film-makers are based.

Veteran Glasgow actor Peter Mullan, Little Voice star Jane Horrocks and Paul Brannigan, who shot to fame in The Angels’ Share earlier this year, have all been cast in the film.

English actor Dexter Fletcher, who has chosen the project for his second directing role after the release of Wild Bill earlier this year, was in Leith yesterday as filming got under way in various locations around the Shore area.

The film – set to a host of The Proclaimers’ best-known hits from their 25-year career – is 
already being tipped as Scotland’s answer to Mamma Mia.

However, sources close to the production said the vast majority of the six-week shoot – which will feature more than 100 dancers for some scenes – will be based in Glasgow, with less than a week’s filming in the capital. An insider said: “A huge effort has gone into finding locations in Glasgow which look like they could be Leith.

“A few locations around Edinburgh are being used to make it seem authentic, but most of the shoot will stay in Glasgow.”

The stage musical, written by Stephen Greenhorn, creator of River City, was a huge hit after it was first staged at Dundee Rep theatre five years ago.

The film is being produced by award-winning film-maker Andrew Macdonald, who shot to fame in the 1990s with two Edinburgh-set films Shallow Grave and Trainspotting. However, as with Sunshine on Leith, most filming in those productions went ahead in Glasgow to keep costs down.

Details of Sunshine on Leith first emerged earlier this year when it was announced that Black Camel Pictures – a firm set up by husband and wife team Arabella Page Croft and Kieran Parker – had the rights to adapt the stage show.

Caroline Parkinson, director of creative development at Creative Scotland, which is backing the film along with the BBC, said: “We’re delighted to see the realisation of this exciting film and proud to have supported its development and production though our investment in Black Camel Pictures.

“It features a wealth of Scottish talent from writers, actors, craft and technical crew, not to mention showcasing the musical talent of The Proclaimers.”