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Get active in Stoke and explore the City from the saddle of your bike or on foot! Other activities you can find include golf, dancing and water activities.
SoulBoy Film
Stoke-on-Trent is one of the leading lights in a new movie, Soulboy which is now out on general release. The City is the main backdrop for the feel good, coming of age drama set against the Northern Soul underground music scene.
A host of venues across the city were used in the shooting of the new movie, SoulBoy. But pride of place went to the Kings Hall in Stoke, which not only plays the part of legendary Wigan Casino (shut in 1981) but also holds its own Northern Soul all-nighters to this day.
The Kings Hall was the location of its first screening before the nationwide release at an all-nighter event Key cast in the film include the lead "Brit Pack" actors Martin Compston, Nichola Burley, Felicity Jones, Alfie Allen and Pat Shortt and some original Wigan Casino dancers who appear in the film.
The next Northern Soul All nighter to be hosted at the Kings Hall is on 2nd October when the Holiday Inn hotel will be offering an Upside down weekend package. The Tourist Information Centre are selling advanced tickets. See below for more information.
Find out about some great short breaks available including an upside down weekend!
The film is set in 1974 and stars Martin Compston as a Stoke City fan who meets Jane who introduces him to Northern Soul and a world of exciting music and dance. The film also stars Felicity Jones, Alfie Allen, Pat Shortt and Huey Morgan of the Fun Loving Criminals. The soundtrack uses sounds from Paul Weller, Feeder, Duffy and the Dap Kings. Click here to see the Soulboy video trailer.
The film received a great reception in Edinburgh and has already received praise fo its authentic depiction of the Seventies Soul scene not to mention the luscious costumes and incredible soundtrack. Visit the official Soulboy website.
The film has already previewed at festivals this summer including Latitude, Big Chill and it will be shown at Vintage at Goodwood on 13-15th August before its official launch in Stoke on 21st August.
Movie producers have also confirmed that a DVD and other film platforms will follow in due course. And the soundtrack published by Universal Music, and including a cover version of Magic Carpet Ride by Gabriela Climi, will soon go on sale as well.
Stoke-on-Trent (or Soul-on-Trent as it was dubbed in the 60s and 70s) was at the very heart of Britain's Northern Soul sub culture. Leading the way then was The Golden Torch, a club in the backstreets of Tunstall, one of the 6 towns of Stoke-on-Trent, which drew fans from all over the Midlands and North West. Such was the influence of The Torch that its logo, of a silhouetted hand holding a smoking torch aloft, became a national symbol of the whole movement.
