Manchester's Theatres May Become Film Locations

FILMING in Greater Manchester looks set to increase with the introduction of a new Locations Database by regional screen agency, Northwest Vision and Media.

Although Vision and Media has always offered a free, location-finding service to production companies looking to make film and TV in the region, the new, improved on-line database makes it even easier to find the perfect backdrop.

“We’ve already got thousands of images logged on to the system, and we’re adding more locations every day,” explains Susan Williams, Greater Manchester Film Liaison Officer for Vision and Media.

The latest locations to add their services to potential productions are Manchester’s magnificent Palace Theatre and Opera House. Karen O’Neill, Deputy Manager of both theatres, says she heard about the free services being offered by Vision and Media and was keen to get the theatres listed.

“The Palace is a big venue and I think Manchester should be proud of it and want to show it off to the world. It’s a stunning space and it’s nice to see it being used – whether that’s by stage productions or film crews - especially as it’s rare to find a building of this stature outside London,” explains Karen.

Filming has taken place at The Palace in the past, but there’s room for more, confides Karen. “The BBC filmed a scene for a drama here several years ago, and we get a lot of calls from Granada, too,” she explains. More recently, Britain’s Got Talent filmed at The Palace. “And we’re hoping to get How To Look Good Naked in the autumn, but there’s scope for so much more filming,” says Karen, which is why she’s enlisted the help of Vision and Media.

“Now that we know what’s on offer at each theatre we’ll not only be able to add the details to our location database, but when we’re approached by location managers looking for certain facilities, we’ll be able to promote the delights and versatility of Manchester’s theatres,” explains Susan.

The Palace, which was originally seen as a house of sin when it first opened, is now referred to as a house of variety, offering broad, mainstream entertainment.

“The Opera House was originally built as a reaction to the Palace, it’s a space which feels far more intimate and close, even though it only has three seats less than the Palace’s 2,000-seat capacity,” says Karen.

Each theatre has its own, unique style and atmosphere. “The Opera House is all green and gold, and the Palace is decorated in red and purple and gold,” says Karen. “The Opera House was built in the 1920s and has a very different atmosphere. It’s not as grandly decorated, and in a way that’s what lots of people love about it. Comediennes love filming in there. We recently had Paddy McGuiness film his Live TV Show there, and the Mrs Brown Trilogy was recorded there too, as was Russell Brand’s DVD, because the space is so bright and the colours present a great backdrop.”

In addition to the stages, however, there are also many other locations to be found within each theatre. “The bars and other rooms can be used at any time, even when we’ve got a show on,” explains Karen.

There’s also a very special room, known as The Alison Suite, which was used by The Palace’s previous owner for private receptions. “We now hire it out for corporate and private receptions, but it would make a fantastic filming location,” says Karen. “The wallpaper is made of silk from Thailand, the chaise lounge was once sat on by Princess Diana, and there’s also a huge mirror which dominates the entire room and was brought back from France especially to take centre stage. It would be fantastic if we saw it someday on TV!”