YORK filmmaker Dave Thorp has told of his involvement in a new film by playwright John Godber after stars gathered for the premiere.

Dave said he was director of photography for Last Laugh, a microbudget movie shot in Hull and Whitby, with multi-BAFTA winner Godber himself acting in a film for the first time.

He said the film’s premiere took place on Sunday evening in a packed auditorium at the University of Hull’s Middleton Hall as part of the Hull City of Culture celebrations.

Stars of TV and stage attended, such as Celebrity Big Brother star Paddy Doherty and Lisa George, who plays Beth Tinker on Coronation Street.

“It was great to hear laughter filling the auditorium, when you’ve been editing it for the past year in complete silence in an editing suite,” said Dave, of Fulford Road.

“Working with John Godber was a privilege and a pleasure.

“His writing is world class - but he’s also a great comic actor with perfect timing and a wonderful facial expression.

“I got to watch his performance first hand - and sometimes found myself silently laughing as I watched the monitors during the take!”

He said producers John Danbury and Daniel Coll of Visualize Films had fought against all odds to bring the film - which features singer and actress Toyah Willcox - to the screen, and they eventually did so with a budget of just £38,000.

Mr Danbury said: “We simply had to make this film as John Godber is our country’s fourth biggest playwright and wrote the film Up and Under.

“Even with those credentials, we could not get the money, so after two years of struggling we went ahead anyway.

“We had 15 crew, 50 actors, 150 extras, 22 locations and just 24 days to film the whole thing.

“We are very proud and excited at the response so far, it’s fantastic.”

He said the film followed the life of Martin Dawson, played by National Theatre star Nick Figgis, nephew of film director Mike Figgis.

“Martin is on the brink of a massive career but life takes a rapid twist!” he said.

“He spends an ill-fated weekend away with his parents played by real-life husband and wife John Godber and Jane Thornton, and the film takes on a hilarious path as family dramas unfold.”

Mr Coll said: “This story is something many people will identify with. It’s very moving and also very funny.

“We are delighted with the performances that make you laugh and cry at the same time.”

Dave said the film would be going on a limited cinema release following the premiere. He said Mr Godber planned another film based on his play Muddy Cows, adding that his own next film would be Clouds, a feature film about mental health issues.