Music, mystery and murder

Oldham actor Paul Hilton starring in a new movie, London Road, out on release this Friday

A LEADING British stage actor from Chadderton is starring alongside big names in a musical mystery thriller film.

Paul Hilton (44) appears in “London Road”, a film constructed from the accounts of residents at the centre of the investigation into the murders of five prostitutes in Ipswich in 2006.

Directed by Rufus Norris and featuring “Broadchurch” actress Olivia Colman, “Mad Max” star Tom Hardy and ex-”Eastender” Anita Dobson, the film is released on Friday.

It is based on the stage musical and tells of the impact of the murders — committed by Steve Wright, who became known as the Suffolk Strangler — on the street.

Paul’s career has taken him to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the National Theatre and the Royal Court.

He later went to the Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff.

But it all started at North Chadderton School where the school drama group and the encouragement of teacher Colin Snell put him on the road to success.

Despite that he has not forgotten his roots and often returns to Oldham.

His parents, David and Dorothy Hilton, still live in Ashdene Close, where he was born, while his sister, Deborah, and her family live nearby.

Paul plays a character called Tim, who lived with his partner Jan on London Road.

He said: “There’s nothing like it. You won’t see anything like it on screen or on stage.

“The endeavour to tell a story about how a community heals itself in the face of such a trauma, a horrific event, is really beautiful.

“It’s a gift to make a film about healing, which is what the film is about. It’s not about the murders, there’s nothing sordid about it.

“It’s about how a community rebuilds itself after a tragedy and I’m very proud to be part of that story.”

Next month, Paul will be playing the “Mad Hacker” in Damon Albarn’s new musical, “Wonderland”, at the Manchester International Festival.