Screams and autograph scrums shook the genteel Gaiety Theatre on Saturday night (21st November), as the Manx premiere of movie 'Me and Orson Welles' came to town, bringing with it Hollywood heart-throb Zac Efron and his co-stars.
The occasion reunited Efron, who shot to fame in Disney's 'High School Musical', with a familiar haunt: much of Me and Orson Welles was filmed in the Gaiety Theatre in February 2008, with the help of roughly 600 local extras.
Directed by US indie veteran Richard Linklater (Dazed and Confused, Before Sunrise, School of Rock), period piece Me and Orson Welles covers an extraordinary week in the life of Richard Samuels, a dreamy but ambitious young student who lands a role in Orson Welles now-legendary 1937 production of 'Julius Caesar at New York's Mercury Theatre.
The Gaiety Theatre was chosen by Linklater to be the Mercury's doppelganger in the film, which was produced by CinemaNX, Isle of Man Film's financing arm.
At the time of shooting, cast and crew spoke warmly about their experiences on the Island and in particular, of their love for the Victorian theatre.
Isle of Man Film and CinemaNX subsequently conceived the idea of screening the movie in the location where it was filmed. Isle of Man Film Manager Hilary Dugdale praised the willingness of Richard Linklater and his leading actors to return to Douglas, which she described as a mark of their "gratitude" and "genuine love" of the Island:
"It was a fantastic night for the whole of the Isle of Man, and a great celebration of a great film," Hilary commented.
"The cast and crew were champing at the bit to come back to the Island and see the movie in the very place where it was shot."
The news that Me and Orson Welles was to have a Manx premiere was also greeted with surprise and delight by local film fans, not least because the the Island sat above New York in the billing: the movie premiered in London on Wednesday 18th November but does not open in the US until 25th November.
On the night, the excitement was palpable, and reached fever pitch when Zac Efron was ushered through the champagne reception in the Villa Marina Arcade to the waiting fans outside the theatre, many of whom had staked out their pitch hours earlier.
By contrast, 'Orson Welles' - Lancashire-born Christian McKay - was able to mingle unmolested in the arcade!
Trade and Industry Minister David Cretney MHK was amongst the large number of people who enjoyed the sense of anticipation at the pre-film reception.
He said, "The film industry has come a long way since Allan Bell started it off in 1987 and we're just delighted to be here tonight. Some of the biggest stars in the film industry are here and who would have imagined that that would be the case?
"It's a good news story for the Isle of Man, which is particularly welcome at this time."
The Minister went on to say that the film's success was evidence that decisions made by Isle of Man Film - including its much-discussed representation with a yacht at Cannes - have borne fruit: "Whilst I was there, I witnessed the hard work that went on - it's not just a 'gin palace'.
"Our representatives are working the whole time, right at the centre of the action, and when you see what's happening here tonight, you see that it's paid off. The IOM is a serious player in the film industry and to have stars of this stature here is very pleasing".
Mr Cretney also joined Treasury Minister Allan Bell MHK in agreement that such a success embodies the diversification of the Manx economy, which has been judged as a crucial part of the Government's response to the VAT Share crisis.
The screening was preceded by a short address from 'NX' Chairman Steve Christian, who spoke of his excitement at the event and how it augured well for the future of film-making on the Isle of Man.
Mr Christian was then joined on stage by Richard Linklater, his producers and screenwriters, and the film's leads, Christian McKay, Claire Danes - who plays Welles' assistant Sonja Jones - and Zac Efron.
Once again, it was the appearance of Efron which elicited the most deafening screams of all, not least when, taking the microphone, he said, "It is an honour and a privilege to be here with you... I love you all and can't wait to come back".
Early reviews for the film have been glowing, with Uncut magazine calling it "A class act from start to finish". The performance of newcomer McKay, in particular, has seen critics exhausting their store of superlatives.
The critical success of Me and Orson Welles is being viewed as a major coup for CinemaNX and Isle of Man Film, at a time when the VAT Share Crisis has renewed calls for the Government to concentrate on diversifying the Island's economy.
Pictured: Christian McKay as Orson Welles, enjoying his ovation in the 'Mercury' Theatre.
