Artistic tensions are simmering at Cromer's end-of-the-pier theatre as bosses seek to find acts who will revive its failing fortunes.

A young singer has just auditioned as a tribute act to 1950s and 60s pop star Alma Cogan to the delight of council staff.

But the long-serving manager has exploded 'why can't you leave the past alone' and stormed out.

The drama is all fiction and being captured by movie camera for a film due out next year.

But the story behind the gentle comedy loosely reflects the Pavilion theatre's real history when new managers were brought in a few years ago to drive the the traditional venue forward.

And the Norfolk based director has drawn heavily on local celebrity actors for a cast also bolstered by local extras, including lifeboatmen and fishermen.

Roger Lloyd-Pack who lives in north Norfolk plays theatre manager Norman, whose past infatuation with Alma Cogan is rekindled by the arrival of the council backed act earmarked as the venue's salvation.

Terry Molloy from near Norwich, whose roles have ranged from Davros in Dr Who to Mike Tucker the milkman in the Archers radio series, plays the 'sleazebag' Barry Bates who brings Alma to the seaside theatre.

And there is even a cameo role, as pier show compere, for multi award-winning actor John Hurt, whose sparkling career has ranged from The Elephant Man to Harry Potter and is now living in the north of the county.

Gwyneth Strong, who played alongside Mr Lloyd-Pack's Trigger in Only Fools and Horses as Cassandra takes the role of councillor Laura, while Niamh Cusack, whose roles have included a doctor in Heartbeat and who has just finished a film directed by Clint Eastwood, is Norman's devoted assistant Sandra.

Director Tony Britten, who has made award winning films through his Holt-based Capriol company, said the idea for the movie was hatched while eating fish and chips on Cromer pier four-year ago with teenage son Oliver.

'He said 'you have got to do a film about this place.' I wanted to write something for Roger Lloyd-Pack, and the title - In Love with Alma Cogan - came to me in the bath for some reason,' he explained.

The plot to seek to revive the theatre included some 'winter turns' such as a striptease of local crab fishermen, before the Alma Cogan tribute provides Norman with an emotional crisis, said Mr Britten who was not sure if Cromer would be identified in the film, or just used as a fictional seaside setting.

There was a setback when hoped-for funding from Screen East was turned down, leaving the project on a verge of being scrapped but 'it would not go away'. Local private investors were found and the spur to get on with the filming came because of impending major works on the pier next March.

Cameras have been rolling this week in the Pavilion and at locations around the town, and will continue for another three weeks, with the aim of launching the film in the spring.

The local lifeboat is also getting involved, with cameras joining a weekend training launch, with Roger - whose character is a former crewman and son of a coxswain - on board.

Mr Lloyd-Pack, who admitted to being a fan of Alma Cogan in his younger days, said he was enjoying playing the role which sees him trying to ensure modernisation of the pier does not alienate his traditional audience.

'It is a nice story, a leading role, and a handy commute,' he added.

Real life pier manager Ian Hall of Openwide said hosting the filming would benefit the venue and town. While there were some 'threads' linking it to the Pavilion, it was just a story.

'We have a good relationship with the council,' stressed Mr Hall, who confessed his female pop star of choice when he was younger was not Alma Cogan but Sandi Shaw or Dusty Springfield.

The production is still seeking extras to take part in the filming. People interested can contact Capriol Films on 01263 712600.

Who was Alma Cogan?

The singer at the hub of the movie was a pop star of the 1950s and 60s whose career was tragically cut shot by cancer at the age of 34.

Born Alma Cohen in London's East End she was named after movie actress Alma Taylor, and was encouraged into show business by her mother.

Her talent was spotted while singing for hotel diners and she made her first record in 1952, but her big break came as resident singer for the Take it From Here radio programme.

Her versatile singing skills from rock and roll to novelty songs, combined with an image of being a party girl, wearing sequined skirts and figure-hugging tops, made her eye-catching during television appearances.

Alma was the highest paid UK female entertainer at the height of her short career, and became known as the Girl with a Giggle in Her Voice.

Her only UK number one was with Dreamboat in May 1955, but she also charted with Bell Bottom Blues, I Can't Tell a Waltz from a Tango, and Never Do a Tango with an Eskimo.

After collapsing on tour in Sweden in the summer of 1966 she died in hospital from cancer in October.

Her tribute act in the film is played by Catrine Kirkman, a trained opera singer.