Anniversary Film Night
Double Bill
Friday 26th June 2026, 7:00pm
To celebrate the contribution Film has made to the success of the Heron Theatre we have a double bill. Our first film was produced by South Westmorland Stage and Screen Society. It
was filmed in Beetham and starred members of the society.
The second film was the most successful British film from 2001, the year the Heron theatre was formally opened by Princess Alexandra.
SWWW Film: More Than A Match (1951)
South Westmorland Stage & Screen Society founded the Heron Theatre. In addition to performing plays at Heversham School they also made short films. ‘More than a Match’ is the only film that survives from the 1950’s. It was filmed in the grounds of Ashton Hall in Beetham and in other local locations. Local historian Roger Bingham stars in the film as a small boy.
Perhaps you will spot other people you know. We are delighted to have a pianist on stage providing a live soundtrack.
About The Film
‘More than a Match’ was the first film produced by SWSSS. The script was written by Mr B. Morley who was a master at Heversham Grammar School. It is set in the local village where the Major is keen to organise a game of cricket, and raises a team of locals to play another X1 from a neighbouring village.
The film opens with shots of Beetham Village – Parsonage Farm, the old church, the village inn, Ashton House and Beetham House. The local squire, Mr. Charles Nickel, is shown writing a letter to a friend and one by one the characters and the cricket team are introduced. They include the blacksmith, the grocer, the local ‘poacher’, the village policeman and various others.
The cricket match which follows has some exciting moments and ends with the heroes of the match – the Major’s son and the local grocer, being carried from the field in triumph and some of the company rounding off the day in the village inn.
The film captures the true village atmosphere. Though not flawless, it was seen as a very creditable first film for the new society.
Amélie (15)
We were not able to obtain a licence to show Gosford Park so we chose an alternative 2001 film which we hope you will enjoy. This is a special anniversary re-release of a low budget quirky and stylish film which became a classic.
23-year-old Amélie is lonely. After an isolating childhood she moves to Paris and becomes a waitress in the Cafes des Deux Moulins a bar restaurant filled with a colourful cast of diners and employees.
One night Amélie finds a box of treasures hidden in her apartment, left by a little boy in the fifties. Henceforth she dedicates herself to giving back to her community, tracking down the owners of these keepsakes, consoling a neighbour and befriending a reclusive artist. When completing these good deeds she crosses paths with Nino who shares her oddball sensibilities.
Running Time: 2h 03m
