Tomorrow la Scala!

Improvising for film is one of the most exciting and memorable creative challenges I have had as an actor. It is a sure fire way of creating unforgettable scenes with intense, immediate performances. Director Francesca Joseph and I had been collaborating for several months on the outline of a script called Tomorrow La Scala! before I joined the cast as The Journalist and we started shooting. Jessica Hynes (Stevenson), David Oyelowo and Samantha Spiro were part of a multi-talented cast (including high security prisoners) and with only two weeks rehearsal, we created rough dialogue to bring the following synopsis to life.

“Autumn in the Lake District and a small opera company is driving north. They are heading for a maximum-security prison to stage the opera Sweeney Todd by Stephen Sondheim – the tragi-comic tale of a good man who becomes a dangerous murderer trapped in a spiral of revenge and grief. The company will take the lead roles – but in an unusual twist Lifers are going to be chosen to perform the chorus. It will be an experience that changes everyone’s lives.”

During the multi-camera, theatrically staged shoot, we improvised our way through complex scenes, often accommodating last minute changes of director and producer alike. As actors, we were flying by the seat of our pants, ensuring we hit the plot points, not sure what was being captured or how it would all fit in. But the result was electrifying and the BBC Films and Home Movies producers were thrilled.

Nonetheless it came as a surprise when Tomorrow La Scala! was chosen for the prestigious Official Selection of Un Certain Regard at the Cannes Film Festival in 2002. This was a first for director Francesca Joseph, in spite of a celebrated career as a documentary filmmaker. A rousing standing ovation at the Cannes premiere and multiple international purchases, sealed the deal and confirmed popular opinion. Tomorrow La Scala! was hailed by critics as one of the most promising British productions of the year. The film received two BAFTA nominations and several Royal Television Society awards. Unfortunately an unexpected disagreement with composer Stephen Sondheim meant that Tomorrow La Scala! had to ultimately be withdrawn from theatrical release. However it was screened on BBC2 and across the world and now you can watch it on youtube.