New production of 'Vanity Fair' to premiere in Bath

The City of Bath is to be showcased on the big screen at a special premiere of 'Vanity Fair' tomorrow (Wednesday January 5) – more than a week before the South West Screen supported film goes on general release.
The film, directed by Mira Nair and starring Reese Witherspoon, Jim Broadbent, Gabriel Byrne, Bob Hoskins and Rhys Ifans, is being shown at the Odeon Cinema in Kingsmead, with extra entertainment being provided by the Natural Theatre Company.
The movie is based on the classic novel by William Makepeace Thackeray, and tells the tale of Becky Sharp, who is born into the lower class. She rises through the echelons of London society in the 1820’s with the help of her wit, guile and sexuality.
Several crucial scenes for Vanity Fair were shot in Bath, and Bath Film Commissioner Maggie Ainley, based at the Bath Film Office, was instrumental in bringing the production to the city. Over a period of several months, she worked hard to firstly attract the producers to the city, promote the locations used and coordinate meetings within the council to get the necessary permissions approved and carry out wide consultation with the public.
South West Screen also played an important role in getting the production off the ground. The agency was in regular contact with the production team from July 2002 up until June 2003, assisting with locations enquiries and providing details about crew, facilities, and appropriate services such as caterers and accommodation.
As a result, the film gave a real boost to the local economy, bringing in around £1 million in direct investment.
Numerous locations around the city were used for the shoot, including Beauford Square, Great Pulteney Street, the Holburne Museum, and also Stanway House in Gloucestershire, owned by Lord Neidpath.
Great Pulteney Street and the road in front of the Holburne Museum were closed for filming and this needed involvement and permissions at the highest level within the Council, as well as widespread public consultation.
Director Mira Nair said: “Bath is the greatest regency city there is. We had eight months before shooting to convince Bath Council to give me what I wanted, to shut down two highways and give us four boulevards, and amazingly it all worked out. We covered Bath in peat and moss because we wanted to capture the smelliness of London when it was just being built."
(GB)