John’s star role as Co-op pioneer
Date published: 11 January 2012
NEW ROLE FOR JOHN THOMPSON (CENTRE)
A LOCAL actor is starring in a film to mark the birth of the Co-operative movement more than 150 years ago.
John Henshaw has teamed up with Royton-raised director Adam Lee Hamilton to tell the story of the Rochdale Pioneers.
The movie, which is set for its premiere screening in the autumn, is inspired by the 1944 film “Men of Rochdale” and is shot by The Co-operative British Youth Film Academy to celebrate the United Nation’s International year of Co-operatives.
The Grasscroft-based actor — famed for appearances in the movie “Looking For Eric”, the face of the Post Office adverts and his television roles in “Early Doors” and “Born and Bred” — plays one of the original members of the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers, called John Holt.
John said: “It’s good fun, a pleasure to work on, I am really enjoying it.
“The application, dedication and professional standards are inspiring and it bodes well for the British Film Industry that the wealth of talent out there is being supported, encouraged and nurtured by The Co-operative British Youth Film Academy.”
Former Oldham College student Adam Lee Hamilton (31), who co-directs the 52-minute feature called “The Rochdale Pioneers”, said: “This is an exciting project which, through the medium of film, is bringing the spirit, heart and belief of the original pioneers to a brand new audience.”
Hamilton’s recent movie “Julius Caesar” was selected for the international Raindance Film Festival and premiered in London last October.
Now his attention is firmly on portraying how a group of 28 working men established the Co-operative movement in 1844. Filming has been taking place at Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry.
There are now said to be one billion members of co-operatives worldwide.
Students or colleges wanting more information about the Co-operative British Youth Film Academy — which gives 14 to 25 year-olds a hands-on film-making experience — should visit the academy website, www.britishyouthfilmacademy.com
