People and Features

FILM DUO'S BARE CHEEK

Hollywood may be a long way of Harrogate in the film star stakes, but two local actors are preparing to cause a stir in the cinema world, baring all in a cheeky new comedy about male strippers.

Former Harrogate Grammar School pupil Hugo Speer makes his debut on the silver screen alongside Tom Wilkinson, who was also brought up in the town, in The Full Monty, which opens in cinemas across the country from August 26.

The story involves a group of out-of-luck Sheffield lads who are desperate to find a way of earning a bit of extra cash until they stumble into a ladies night and decide their destiny lies on the striptease stage.

Hugo, 29, embarks on his biggest role yet after a series of successful TV performances in The Bill, Heartbeat, Thieftakers and the new series of McCallum. Tom, however, is a seasoned pro with celebrated programmes such as Eskimo Day and Martin Chuzzlewit under his belt. The duo star alongside heart-throb Robert Carlyle, who takes the leading role as Gaz in this lively tale. Carlyle is best known as HIghland sleuth Hamish Macbeth and the psychopathic Begbie in the cult favourite Trainspotting.

The supporting cast includes Paul Barber, a regular on Brookside and Only Fools and Horses, Steve Huison and Mark Addy. The Twentieth Century Fox film, directed by Paul Cattaneo, recently scooped the Seattle Film Festival audience award.

Hugo admits that life in the movies makes a stark contrast to his early days dreaming of stardom at the family home in Hookstone Drive. "We started filming in May of last year and it was simply one of the most exciting and fascinating experiences I have ever had." He added: "This is my first major part in a feature film and I was really excited to get the job." Hugo describes his character, Guy, as "a ray of sunshine" who is drafted into the dancing troupe, despite a lack of natural rhythm, to display his generous physical attributes.

Tom plays Gerald, an amateur ballroom dancer who takes to the stage to pay for his wife's shopping habits. "He is out of work but hasn't told his wife, so when he's offered the line he takes it," he said. The actor, who lived with his parents in Starbeck as a child, says he was attracted to the film by the spirit of the story. "The comedy is very natural and comes from a real understanding of people," says Tom. "The language and humour are very typical of Yorkshire, which has a very independent spirit. It's a feel good movie, bankrupt of hope, these characters build towards self-respect and it becomes a joyful experience for the viewer." But what about stripping in front of the cameras? "In the dressing room we went through the same process as our characters. It was basically a live show and though I personally didn't want to take my clothes off, I thought "I've never done it so I should"," he said.

Hugo, however, admitted to treating these scenes with a less-than-casual approach. "Stripping naked in front of 300 women was both very frightening and highly exciting at the same time," he said.

So what now for the local heroes? Tom is busy filming around the country and Hugo is enjoying a boost to his professional career. "I have been doing some episodes of Men Behaving Badly and that was really great. Acting is quite hard work, although I love it and I will do so long as I continue getting that adrenaline rush when I'm in front of the cameras."

Although Hugo occasionally pops back to visit his parents, in the Franklin Road area of Harrogate, he spends most of his time in London. But now he is looking forward to heading north to rub shoulders with fellow celebrities at the premiere in Sheffield on August 26. "I used to be in awe of film and TV stars when I met them, although you get used to it that is not to say I won't get a little bit star-struck every now and again."

Thanks to Ange!