The NHS debate has sparked controversy and conflict in the UK for decades. With our healthcare services critically underfunded and recovering from the strain of COVID-19, the pressure on NHS workers is immense. With many care homes and GP surgeries forced to close their doors, the ripple effect on community access to mental and physical health support has been detrimental.Â
On July 11th 2018, the stage production of ALLELUJAH premiered at the Bridge Theatre in London. Written by Alan Bennett, the performance attained critical acclaim as a love letter to the NHS, and quickly garnered attention from producers, Kevin Loader and Damian Jones, who were eager to turn ALLELUJAH into a feature film – from love letter, to sonnet.Â
Loader and Jones brought in Heidi Thomas, writer of Call the Midwife and Cranford, to alter the script for the silver screen, to be directed by Richard Eyre. Thomas was able to streamline Bennett’s original script whilst maintaining the honest and sensitive dialogue at the heart of the original production. What first started out as a three week project turned into a three year project due to the impact of COVID-19.Â
ALLELUJAH gives an insight into the lives of NHS workers and patients. A geriatric ward in a Yorkshire hospital faces closure. In order to galvanise the community, the hospital workers invite news crews to film the preparations for a concert in honour of the hospital’s most distinguished nurse. Starring Dame Judi Dench, Jennifer Saunders, and Derek Jacobi, the project celebrates our NHS’ diverse workers and patients, highlighting the struggles they face as funds and morale decline.Â
Raindance alumni, Julia Warren, sits down in conversation with ALLELUJAH producer, Kevin Loader, to discuss his latest project. Also known for producing The Death of Stalin, Nowhere Boy, and The Personal History of David Copperfield, Loader discusses the challenges he faced whilst producing a feature film during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the process of pitching to UK and international media outlets, and highlights of working with Dame Judi Dench.Â
ALLELUJAHÂ premiered 17th March 2023 in UK & Ireland. Check for local listings near you.
Tune into this thought provoking discussion on Julia’s new podcast series, Crazy Cats Theatre here.
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