A film about an Amble chippy starring actors from Auf Widersehen Pet and Hollyoaks is filming in Northumberland next month - and it's looking for extras.
Bonny Chip is a 'short comedy musical' set in Amble's famous 'Harbour Chippy,' where its creator Rosie Fox grew up. It tells the stories of the Amble born and bred women who have worked in the local chippy since they stoked the fryers with coal.
Through the eyes of Bonny, a single mam at her first job in the local chip shop, Bonny Chip offers a window into the lives of the women who have built the heart of their community over many years. An evil property developer, Mr Green, played by Rishi Nair (Hollyoaks) threatens to take over the chippy - forcing Bonny and Brenda, played by Lesley Saint John (Auf Wiedersehen Pet) to come up with a way to save their chippy.
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Though set in Amble, filming will take place in Dewley Chippy in Cramlington as the interior of the shop is larger and therefore suitable. Filming of some scenes will take place at night, so as to impact as little as possible on the shop's business.
Rosie Fox, the driving force behind the project, said: " The ladies who work in the Amble chippy where the film is set, are like everyone's friend, mam and auntie. Hot chips always come with a side of banter and well wishes.
"We approached the Dewley Chip shop in Cramlington via a scribbled letter posted through the front door after peering inside and seeing how spacious and lovely the place is. Kim (English, the owner) rang me up and we've gone from there!
"It's great to have a location owner who is so excited about the project, and also feeds you the most amazing chips I've ever had."
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Dewley Chippy had been closed for 14 months, with new owner Kim English taking over just days before finding said letter. She was delighted to offer the shop up for filming, as were some of her locals, who are hoping to make it onto the screen.
Kim said: "Obviously it'll be good for the local area, for Cramlington. The reception we’ve had so far has been really positive, so all the locals think it's great the shop's back open again and when I told them about the film they were all dead excited - I think it's created a bit of a buzz!"
Rosie hopes that the buzz continues and has high hopes for Bonny Chip. She continued: "People from the North East aren't just 'canny bods' - they're absolutely hilarious, quick-witted and ever-resilient.
"We want to see more of these amazing people on screen and on stage. We hope Bonny Chip will develop into a larger project eventually whether that be a touring theatre show, a feature film or a TV series."
And that could be you - as Rosie is still looking for some chippy customers who are local to Cramlington to act as extras. They'll be needed for one afternoon between May 14 - 17, and can send contact details and a photograph to info@foxandcox.co.uk.
Bonny Chip will be shot in June and sent out to film festivals as soon as possible. It will be premiered in Amble and could be shown in cinemas across the North East.
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