Inspector Drake film is no tall order for Alan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsB72x_OtGQ

Artist Alan Birch has landed his dream role as a detective in a new film - 25 years after first bringing the character to life on stage.

Now 50, Alan first portrayed the character of Inspector Drake in 1985, when a then unknown playwright named David Tristram offered a play to a Brierley Hill theatre group.

He was chosen for the part because he was the tallest member of the group — but little did the actor, of Cobden Street, Wollaston, realise it was an association which would last for a quarter of a century.

Alan takes the leading role in Inspector Drake — The Movie, an independent film made by Mr Tristram, who is from Quarry Bank.

He has been a member of Mr Tristram's Flying Ducks Theatre Company for many years and has portrayed the madcap detective a number of times.

Mr Tristram decided to make the film to give his creation a more lasting performance and immediately set to work on a script. Actors in the company have helped to make the film.

The film's premiere will be held at Bridgnorth's Theatre on the Steps on February 11.

Alan, a graphic artist, says making the film had been an "amazing experience".

And if he hadn't been the tallest member of his theatre company he may not have got the role in the first place. He says: "It has been great having the chance to bring Inspector Drake on to film. I first played him at the age of 25 when I was a member of the Citizen's Theatre Company, which used to be in Brierley Hill.

"It was based at the Robin Hood Theatre, on the outskirts of what is now the Merry Hill Shopping Centre. It was demolished sometime ago.

"I think David had originally written the first Inspector Drake play for a competition.

"I don't know how well it did but he asked our group if we would like to perform it.

"During the read through it made me laugh out loud which is something which happens very rarely. I wanted to play the role but obviously it was not a given thing.

"What worked in my favour was the fact in the very first stage direction Inspector Drake had to hit his head on a bed pan which was hanging up. To make the joke work all of the other characters had to be able to walk under it.

"I was the tallest so I got the part."

Mr Birch says bringing the character on to film had provided opportunities to do things which could not be done on stage. It had also given the character a new lease of life.

"It was getting to the point where we had had done all we could with the character on stage," he says.

"The entrances had got more elaborate with each production even coming in by parachute or on a bicycle through a brick wall. The film will be a lasting record of the character and also gave us the chance to let the character drive vehicles and the like."

Mr Birch says shooting had taken place across the Black Country and Shropshire — with Chillington Hall, Wolverhampton, used as one of the settings.

The film is estimated to have cost around £10,000 with businesses and residents from across the region loaning props and costumes.

Others allowed their homes and properties to be used as locations.

Alan said: "David decided to make the film and did all of the shooting and editing. The actors all gave their time for free. He had access to production equipment which he used to edit the film together. Everyone is very proud of the result."

The shoot took six months to complete with people performing over the weekend and during their spare time.

Mr Tristram said the finished product showed what a real independent film was all about. "It is as low budget as you can get but we have taken it as far as we can."

Alan says he was also very proud of the film.

"Little did I know when I first played the character I would still be doing so all these years later and in a film," he says.

Alan said he had started acting at the age of 16 and remained passionate about performing.

"It all started when I was a teenager. I was doing a favour for a friend and helping him learn his lines for a part.

"He said I was quite good and suggested I should come along as well. I decided to and have acted ever since. It remains a passion of mine."

Inspector Drake — The Movie is also to be screened in New Zealand and Australia, where the play has been performed on stage by other theatre groups.

The first play has been performed all over the world.