Town gets starring role in director Danny Boyle’s new Beatles blockbuster

The Thoroughfare in Halesworth town centre, where filming for a romantic comedy directed by Danny Boyle is set to take place. Picture: Archant Library

Filming for Danny Boyle and Richard Curtis’ latest project will take place in Halesworth on May 1 and 2 at the Thoroughfare and the campus site.

Although details are largely being kept under wraps, the as yet untitled film is thought to be based in a world where The Beatles never existed and will reportedly feature a cameo appearance from Ed Sheeran.

In a letter sent to residents and business owners, the romantic comedy’s location manager said filming activity will be “concentrated at The White Hart pub, The Hideout Café and on Halesworth Thoroughfare itself.”

Ed Sheeran is rumoured to be making a cameo appearance in the film. Picture: Greg Williams (Image: Archant)

He added: “We plan to do some set dressing on the Thoroughfare. Our night scene requires rain so we will be bringing in Special FX Rain stands to achieve this.”

Sasha Gibson, a publicist for Working Title Film, added that shooting would take place in both Suffolk and Norfolk to “take advantage of the fantastic locations both counties have to offer”.

Film icon Boyle is responsible for directing some of the most successful British films of all time, including Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire. Screenwriter Curtis, famed for romantic comedies Love Actually and Notting Hill, will be familiar with the region having owned a home in Walberswick for more than a decade.

Screenwriter Richard Curtis is working on the project in partnership with Boyle. Picture: Ian West/PA Wire (Image: Archant)

Lowestoft’s Ormiston Denes Academy is also believed to be a location for the film, serving as a further boost after Screen Suffolk revealed it had brought 210 days worth of filming to the county in its first 12 months.

A Halesworth Town Council spokesman said: “Halesworth will be the location for the filming of the latest Richard Curtis-produced film, with Danny Boyle in the director’s chair.

£The Thoroughfare will still be open to traffic but there may be short hold-ups while filming takes place. The crew will endeavour to keep the disruption at a minimum, but the chance for Halesworth to star in a major film is an exciting prospect for the town.”

Filming will take place at the Thoroughfare and the town's campus site on May 1 and 2. Picture: Archant Library (Image: Archant)

Waveney District Council has agreed to make parking free in all of its Halesworth facilities due to the closure of the Thoroughfare car park. The Thoroughfare long stay car park will remain open.