Film about a royal stutter proves to be talk of town

The Filmhouse is expecting its most successful week ever thanks to the Colin Firth film, which follows the attempts of King George VI to overcome his stutter. Other cinemas have also reported bumper audiences.

Filmhouse programme marketing co-ordinator Jenny Leask said it had become the most successful film ever shown at the cinema, beating the previous record-holder, Gosford Park.

She said: "It's looking like being both our busiest week and our busiest film ever. Compared to our previous best film in terms of admissions in the opening week, the King's Speech passed that last night (Wednesday] with a day to spare, and by the end of this week we'll know if it's exceeded it in terms of takings, but it looks likely. We love Colin Firth!"

She added: "The weekend was the best weekend we've ever had and it sold out last night thanks to Orange Wednesday and it's looking really busy tonight.

"The Seventh Seal also sold out - it was part of a season that we do every year with Edinburgh University where someone comes and speaks about a film and that's really popular."

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Ms Leask said the size of the audiences had amazed staff and added to the atmosphere at the Lothian Road cinema: "We knew it would do well but it's been a surprise just how well it has done. It's lovely to have the cinema full, and people have been applauding at the end of the film."

Audiences have also been boosted at other cinemas in the city. Manager of the Odeon Wester Hailes, David Brymer, said: "I think the story that's coming out is how well it's doing for this time of year - January is usually very quiet, all the award-laden films are out but that's not always great for business.

"This would probably be the busiest for this period since Slumdog (Millionaire], certainly it's been very good for admissions.

"The numbers have been significantly higher than the weekly predictions would have been - the figures from head office this week have been that we've been getting about double what was expected and that's probably about right," he added.

Manager of Odeon Lothian Road, Christine Moss, said the film had been by far the most popular at the cinema since it opened a week ago: "I would say more than 70 per cent of our customers are coming to see the King's Speech.

"It's definitely the first film for a long time that's done this. It's like a surprise success and the people that have gone to see it are loving it."