We’re heading for Derby on the last leg of our tour. I haven’t been to St Pancras since its refurbishment. I almost missed my train as I potted around the various delis and shops selling everything from French sticks to novelty pyjamas.
We hadn’t booked our seats on this leg of the trip so as soon as the platform number came up Helen sprinted off like Sally Gunnell and bagged us two. And thank goodness as the train was stuffed.
I got to my hotel and as I walked into the room I thought they’d made some sort of mistake. No bed! It was more of an office to be honest. There was a sofa and I wrestled with that for a while convinced it must have a bed somewhere inside. I looked in the bathroom, which although huge and even had a TV in it, still had no bed. As I walked back to the door to complain I noticed a staircase and there it was – an upstairs bedroom in a hotel room! Surely that’s a bit unnecessary.
The Quad in Derby is a brilliant cinema. Adam who runs it showed us around and was quite rightly proud of its facilities and the varied programme it puts on.
If it hadn’t been for independent cinemas like this across the country our tour would never have happened. It’s essential that there is somewhere putting on films outside of the mainstream. Places like The Quad and Watershed in Bristol act not only as cinemas but meeting places for film buffs and provide workshops and talks to encourage anyone interested in getting into the business.
My guest in Derby was Vicky McClure . I first saw Vicky in Room for Romeo Brass. She’s such a wonderful, natural actress. I also thought she was blinding in This is England. The scene in the car with Stephen Graham blew me away when I first saw it.
She talked about her experiences of working with Shane Meadows and also on a recent film directed by Madonna. And she’s about to start shooting a TV series following the characters from This is England three years on. As she sat next to Helen in the Q&A, and I saw how alike they were and how they got on so well, I started thinking of a film with the two of them as sisters. Hmmmmm, must start writing that one when I get some time.
Again, the film played well and the comments were all very complimentary.
I got back to the hotel late and staggered up the stairs to my bed wondering if I’d be able to sleep in the novelty pyjamas I’d bought myself.
I’ve had a fantastic time over the past few weeks and I must thank Jenny, Alex, Tricia and all at BAFTA for asking me to do this and looking after us so well on each leg of the tour. Lastly though, I must thank Helen, for putting up with me and pretending to find my jokes funny.
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