---   Kings Hall hosts a film premiere | Mon, Aug 23, 
 
Red carpet comes out for movie premiere
 
SOUL POWER: Above, from the left, stars of SoulBoy Martin Compston, Nichola 
Burley, and Felicity Jones with director Shimmy Marcus on the red carpet outside 
the King's Hall, Stoke. Pictures: Neil Hulse< Previous  1 2 Next > 
AFTER growing up on a diet of Northern Soul, Olivia Roberts never dreamed she 
would experience the scene in its heyday.
But that's exactly what the 23-year-old from Hilderstone did when she landed a 
role as an extra in SoulBoy – a movie all about the genre set in Seventies 
Stoke-on-Trent.
And it wasn't just a background scene for Olivia. She got to grips with a car 
from the era – a Wolseley Hornet – and was spotted toying with her pigtails in 
another.
"It was really exciting," she said; "I didn't get to say anything but it was 
great to be in a film."
Anyone doubting Olivia's Northern Soul credentials would do well to know that 
she has worked at a string of all-nighters, hosted by her dad, Kev Roberts.
She said: "It was nice to actually be involved in something that was set when my 
dad was growing up and into it."
The film is set in 1974 and mostly based in the King's Hall, which doubles as 
the famed Wigan Casino.
Kev, who hosts a Northern Soul show on Signal Two, is delighted the Potteries 
was picked as the location.
He said: "I was talking to the film's director Shimmy Marcus about six years ago 
and I told him that he should use Stoke-on-Trent as the location."
The 53-year-old, who now lives in Sheffield, added: "The Potteries is the 
epicentre for Northern Soul in the north. I remember it was a place of super 
clubs.
"I organise about four all-nighters a year at the King's Hall and people come 
from all over."
It was the same on Saturday night as more than 1,000 people packed into the hall 
to watch the film and have a dance.
The movie follows the story of Joe McCain, a potato delivery boy growing up in 
Stoke-on-Trent in 1974, who is enthralled by Northern Soul and the Wigan Casino.
It's there he meets Jane and Mandy. Mandy falls for Joe and tries to help him 
become the 'soul boy' he dreams of.
As the film is based in North Staffordshire, the cast, which included Lily 
Allen's brother Alfie and Fun Lovin' Criminals front-man Huey Morgan, needed to 
get to grips with the Potteries accent.
Martin Compston, aged 26, who lives near Glasgow and played Joe, said: "I was in 
a pub in Stoke-on-Trent the other day and the barmaid called me 'shug', and it 
brought it all back.
"I like the accent and it wasn't too hard to get hold of."
Martin, who plays a Stoke City fan in the movie, added: "I have enjoyed being in 
the area and even though I'm a Celtic fan I went to see Stoke play and I love 
how passionate the fans are.
"The first time I came here was for a Northern Soul all-nighter to experience 
it, and it was just incredible."
Twenty-three-year-old Nichola Burley had to ditch her Leeds-accent for something 
altogether different.
Nichola, who plays Jane, said: "I still remember the way to pronounce, cook, 
look and book.
"It was two years ago when we filmed it but it's all come back just being in the 
King's Hall.
"I enjoy the Northern Soul music, even more now I have been in the film."
Felicity Jones, who plays Mandy, added: "It was a really intense experience. I 
didn't know much about the scene before this."
The film gives reference to the famous Golden Torch, in Tunstall, and relies on 
various locations across the city.
Stoke-on-Trent City councillor Brian Ward said: "I remember going to some of 
these places and it does bring it back.
"It's nice that someone has chosen to make a film like this here in 
Stoke-on-Trent as it has such a heritage with music."
Kyle Falconer, who is the lead singer of Scottish indie band The View, and was 
at the premiere, said: "We have played The Sugarmill so I remember 
Stoke-on-Trent.
"I am looking to produce a film on Northern Soul in Dundee and I see 
similarities between there and Stoke-on-Trent. They both have a good 
atmosphere."
Following the movie, the cast and crowd were able to celebrate Northern Soul 
with a traditional all-nighter that lasted until 7am.
SoulBoy is released nationwide on September 3