A BLACK Country director’s debut flick about a madcap detective is to be shown in a series of screenings at village halls in the sticks.

Following a red-carpet premiere at Bridgnorth’s Theatre-on-the-Steps in February, David Tristram’s ‘Inspector Drake - The Movie’ will be shown at venues across Shropshire and Herefordshire as part of a ‘Flicks in the Sticks’ initiative.

The low budget flick, a labour of love for Quarry Bank born playwright turned film-maker David, has been going down a treat with fans of his original stage plays featuring the hapless cop; it was also accepted into the London Independent Film Festival in April.

The independent movie, shot on location in the Black Country and Shropshire on a £10,000 budget, stars Wollaston actor Alan Birch in the title role and talent from David’s Flying Ducks Theatre Company.

Coinciding with its first screening in Bridgnorth - it also premiered at Tamborine Mountain Little Theatre in Queensland, Australia, and New Plymouth Little Theatre in New Zealand where the Inspector Drake plays have amassed many fans But for those who have not yet seen the film - it will run at village halls in Shrewsbury, South East Hereford, Leominster, Bridgnorth, Kington, Bishop’s Castle, Church Stretton and Golden Valley over the coming months.

Drake director David said: “It’s great to see the tremendous take up from Flicks in the Sticks; 14 local venues in total will be showing the film between now and December.

“I’ve also had a request from a theatre company in France who wish to give it its French premiere later in the year to coincide with their stage production of Drake.”

In the meantime David has already scripted a sequel ‘Inspector Drake 2 - The Seagull’ and shooting has already begun, with a planned summer 2012 release date planned for Drake’s second celluloid outing.

For full screening dates/times/venues for ‘Inspector Drake - The Movie’ check out www.inspectordrake.com