As you probably know by now, we have been following the progress of the making of a new film called The Spirit Of Albion: the Movie. The name of the movie comes from the title of an Album and song by the Pagan Folk musician Damh The Bard. Filming started in April 2011 and final production of the film is taking place now ready for a Beltane release (May 1st 2012). The film revolves around the lives of three young people who are all facing personal challenges of one kind or another. Then on 31st October they find themselves drawn to a clearing in the woods, and nothing is ever quite the same again….
Following on from our blog on The Spirit of Albion: The Movie on April 6th 2011, we thought we would bring you up to date on the creation of the Movie and how it came into being.
The Archway Theatre Production
As you may know the idea for the Movie came from a play that was originally written and created by a group of young people between the ages 16-24 at a Young Adults Workshop under the guidance and direction of Gary Andrews. The play was inspired by the emotive music of Damh the Bard, a famous British Pagan Folk singer. These talented young people chose ten of his songs and weaved a magical, modern day story of very real social issues and how three young Adults are struggling to deal with these challenges in their lives.
Archway Theatre Production
Pic: Spirit of Albion Movie |
The play became well loved by the Pagan community. At first it played at The Archway Theater in Horley, Surrey for three nights where it was a huge success! Damh, his wife Cerri and many other people from the pagan community attended along with friends and family of the cast and crew.
People were deeply moved by the powerful play and many people were in tears by time the final curtain fell and the talented young actors bowed to a standing ovation.
After the success at The Archway Theater, the play was revived for a performance at WitchFest International at The Fairfax Halls in Croyden.
By this time many of the original cast had moved on to University and “a new age-appropriate cast made up of experienced actors” was brought in for this one-off performance. |
The Spirit of Albion at Witchfest
Again it proved to be a strong emotive performance. The following review is a review of the performance at Witchfest by our talented friend, Craig Sacket:
“In a packed auditorium, I sat among the audience waiting to see how the show would use the songs of Damh the Bard to tell it’s own tale of magick and mystery. For two enjoyable hours I was drawn in by the story, losing myself entirely to it’s woodland setting and the unfolding drama. So enwrapped in the adventure was I, that I almost forgot I was actually a member of an audience! Each one of us had been captivated the same way, with only our shared laughter and tears reminding us of others around us.
| “Most shows dazzle with fancy illusion, but SOA weaves real magick that rekindles an old fire in each of us. The cast gave faultless performances, with their acting and singing, raising both the bar AND our spirits with every verse. While the original Archway line up buzzed with a youthful enthusiasm, the Witchfest cast took things further with a grace and gravity that added another way toward the heart of that woodland grove.
“As the story came to it’s conclusion, I felt refreshed and invigorated…as did everyone in the theatre.
“Every voice sang along to the final song, and from the smiles from audience and cast alike, it’s clear to see that SOA is something very special indeed….not only a show to watch, but also a story to be a part of. |
 Witchfest Production
Pic: Spirit of Albion Movie |
“With two performances now leading to the movie, the magick is set to continue and once again deliver a fresh yet familiar message to pagans and lovers of good storytelling alike.
“Bravo to all the cast and crew!
“Thanks as always to Damh the Bard.
“And may the Spirit of Albion long continue to call you home!”
As Craig mentioned above, and with the demands of its audience, it was realised that this story could have a much wider appeal if a movie was produced.
Filming begins!
The Shooting script was finished by August 2010; and by April 2011, technical equipment for shooting the movie had been gathered, songs storyboarded, locations chosen, and cast, costumes and make-up were in place. It was time to record the songs for the film sung by the principal cast members and overseen by Damh the Bard.
Gary Andrews filming Damh the Bard
“Do you dream of drinking from the Grail,
That the truth is held within a tale…?”
Pic: Lusete |
The first shoot was at a private woodland on a beautiful sunny day. Damh was to be filmed playing his song Pagan Ways, and it was here that the flash-back section to Damh’s song Green and Gray was shot, with Gary Andrews playing the priest and Séan George portraying The Horned God.
When commenting on this filming, Damh, in a state of wonder, said:
“It was just as I imagined it when I wrote the song”
From this comment it sounded to us like Gary and the cast were creating something magical, and we couldn’t wait to find out more. |
The filming continued throughout the Spring and Summer, taking place on location at The Weald and Downland Museum in Singleton Sussex, then a trip to the West Country to Grimspound, Stonehenge, Wayland Smithy and other wonderful magical sites. Afterwards back to Surrey for some indoor filming which we were lucky enough to see.
It was quite magical to watch Damh’s songs brought to life by these talented actors and their supporting crew as well as keeping up with the production via Marq English‘s Video Production Diaries. More than once many of us felt shivers go down our spines as certain scenes were acted out.
The final Marathon over-night shoot
Then came the Finale! The over-night and final shoot – at an idyllic private woodland called Morgan’s Wood owned by the lovely Darren and Siobhan Thomas.
| Well, we arrived late Saturday evening, said “Hello” to everyone, pitched our tent and went to find out what was happening. The principal characters were being made up and changing into costume in a gazebo.
A generator and a lighting tower had been set up and there was a buzz of excitement in the air.
While everyone was getting prepared for shooting, it gave us an excellent opportunity for some impromptu interviews with cast and crew, which you will hopefully be hearing in upcoming shows. |
 Gary, Simon & Dodie Discussing Scenes Pic: Lusete |
The Cast prepare for the Final Shoot
Now is our chance to show you how amazing the actors looked while playing their roles.
Lucy Brennan as ‘Arianrhod’
Pic: Lusete |
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Séan George as ‘The Horned God’
Pic: Lusete |
Lucy Brennan looked stunning and ethereal as the Goddess Arianrhod, the narrator of the story, and it was fascinating to watch Lucy Darkness, Makeup & Prosthetic expert, turn Séan George into the very masculine Horned God.
Lucy Darkness – Make-up and Prosthetics
Pic: Lusete |
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Redvers G. Russell as Robin Goodfellow (Puck)
“Why is it that you people think that anything that doesn’t conform to your world-view is evil?”
Pic: Lusete |
Lucy, above working on the Make-up for George (James Abbott), also did the prosthetics for Redvers G. Russell to turn him into the mischievious Puck.
Joy Tinniswood as ‘Cerridwen’
“That’s enough. Leave him be!”
Pic: Lusete |
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Joanne Marriott as the Morrighan
Pic: Lusete |
Joy Tinniswood looked almost elven dressed for her unique portrayal of Cerridwen and Jo Marriott was beautifully intimidating dressed in her armour to play The Morrighan.
Filming took all night, with constant supplies of coffee and a welcome warm meal at about 2 a.m. Everyone was tired but in good spirits. The camaraderie between members of the cast and crew was high and it was a pleasure to feel a part of the team.
Around the Camp-Fire
Most of the filming that night took place in a Grove of trees where the scene was set for the Primary human characters to meet up on the 31st October.
The troubled humans around the fire
Pic: Lusete |
The talented young actors who played the primary Human characters were Emma Doubleday as ‘Esther’, Ella Sowton as ‘Annie’ and James Abbott as ‘George’ and they played very real and believable parts, drawing us all into the story.
The magic of a woodland fire, and the fantastic lighting gave us observers the feeling that for a while we had stepped into an otherworldly realm where the Celtic Gods and Fae walked and that something unseen but magical was happening. |
As dawn started to break the last of the filming for that night took place. After the final cut at 8.30 am, a lovely warm breakfast of porridge was served (including the hidden ingredients of muscavado sugar and double cream!), after which many of us went off to our tents for a couple of hours sleep, before people started arriving for an afternoon of filming.
After four hours sleep we crawled out of our tents, and went to join the many people who had arrived to take part in the afternoon shoot. The heavens had opened and everyone was drenched, but were drinking coffee, eating pastries and still smiling. This was the final shoot of the movie and it was huge.
| The scene was set for the story to Damh’s song Morrighan, with the dead of war singing in the woodland, and lots of battle scenes for a montage during the song.
With over 40 extras, re-enactors and stunt performers you couldn’t move for people in uniforms.
Filming was due to start at 12.00 pm, but due to the rain it was delayed an hour. So at 1.00 pm the weather had cleared a little and the filming started.
Jo Marriott looked glorious in her Raven Feather Cloak and battle armour as The Morrighan, and it was a haunting experience to see people re-enacting death scenes from the trenches of the First and Second World Wars – amongst other conflicts. |
The Morrighan still taking the souls away from Battle
I am the Phantom Queen, and everything you’ve been…”
Pic: Lusete |
Death through the years
“All the bullets, swords and guns…”
Pic: Lusete |
Many battle scenes through the ages were filmed that afternoon, and after the Final Wrap for the whole Movie was announced at 16:45, there was a strong mixture of joy and sadness because the filming had finished.
Many people had worked closely with old friends, had made new ones throughout the year, and, unsurprisingly, love had even bloomed among the make-up, wardrobe and cameras.
Now that the actors’ and supporting crews’ roles were over, it was time for the post-production team to at last put the movie together. |
The exciting bit right now is that Joy Andrews/Tinniswood and the post-production team at Egotrip Media Ltd. have worked really hard, and they tell us the film will be ready for its’ Release Date of May 1st 2012.
We hope to be bringing you Special Episodes that will include interviews and excerpts with the cast and crew over the next few weeks to help you share in this unique experience that we were lucky enough to enjoy.
We would like to thank Gary, Joy and the cast and crew of the Spirit of Albion movie for welcoming us with open arms and allowing us to be included in this very special and magical journey.
We will be attending the Crawley Premiere and hope to see some of you there!!! 
The DVD is now available for PRE ORDER from The Spirit of Albion: The Movie shop as well as
Calenders, T-shirts, Hats, Bags, Cups and posters. Why not preorder the DVD and some merchandise for a novel birthday gift?
At the time of writing there were still Premiere tickets left. The Movie will be shown at The Hawth, Theater, Crawley, Sussex, UK and should be ordered by calling 01293 553636. Tickets are £15. The event will take place on Monday 30th April, where you’ll be able to meet with the cast and crew. You should arrive from 7:00pm (bar open), the Doors will open at 7:30pm and after a Live Concert by Damh the Bard at 7:45pm, the Film will start at 8:30pm. After the film, there will be a chance to mingle/buy DVDs (!)/have a drink and so on. The bar closes at 11pm.
There will also be another Premiere Screening taking place in the North of England to coincide with the main Premiere for those who are too far away to make the Crawley Premiere. This will take place on the same day and approximately the same time, Monday 30th April, at the Mitchell and Kenyon cinema at the University of Central Lancashire. Unfortunately, we will not have Damh performing, nor the cast and crew (unless we can persuade some to come north) but we will have refreshments and a chance to mingle and chat! The cinema seats 150 so I expect they will fill up quickly. Tickets are expected to be £6. Please email Linda if you’re interested on: lsever@uclan.ac.uk
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