A documentary about boy band Take That is to air tonight (June 14), as a companion piece to a movie that was filmed in Clitheroe.
ITV’s 30 Years in the Making is an exclusive documentary that delves into the three-decade long relationship between Take That and their fans.
Created as a companion piece to the new feature film ‘Greatest Days’, a musical based on the Take That songbook, which will premiere on June 16, the 72 minute documentary is a joyous celebration of both the band and their followers.
While exploring the challenges of bringing ‘Greatest Days’ to the big screen, the documentary also shines a line on the mutual dedication built over three decades between the band and its fans.
The documentary features a massive ensemble cast including band members Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen alongside real life Take That enthusiasts including Alesha Dixon, Mel and Sue, and Calum Scott.
The film juxtaposes the story of the production, involving pandemic lockdowns, challenging shooting locations and critical casting decisions, with the story of how Take That fans have followed the band throughout the years.
From Take That’s 90s boy band fame to its shocking breakup, its triumphant comeback in the 00s and beyond, the band’s highs and lows are also reflected in evolving friendships as the film captures the joy of being a lifelong music fan.
The documentary is one of the first pieces of programming from RWD Films, Redwood BBDO’s newly launched specialist branded programming arm creating long-form content for broadcast and streaming.
The movie was filmed at several locations in Clitheroe and the surrounding countryside, culminating in a huge song and dance number featuring hundreds of people in the town centre.
The cast and crew of Greatest Days returned to Clitheroe on Tuesday, June 13.
The film’s director, writer and the young actors who play the boy band, helped mayor Mark Hindle unveil a huge gold star at Clitheroe Market, which was just one backdrop of the film’s many song and dance numbers.
The gold star marks the start of a Clitheroe Greatest Days ‘selfie trail’ taking in some of the film’s locations, which was also be unveiled.
Described as ‘a feelgood universal story of love and friendship’, it introduces five schoolgirls, Rachel, Heather, Zoe, Claire and Debbie, who live in Clitheroe and have the night of their lives at a concert featuring their favourite boyband.
25 years later their lives have changed in a myriad of ways, as they reunite to reminisce about their past and discover their future.
The film stars Aisling Bea (This Way Up, Hard Sun), winner of the 2020 BAFTA Television Craft Award for Breakthrough Talent, alongside Alice Lowe (Black Mirror, Sightseers), Jayde Adams (Serious Black Jumper, Alma’s Not Normal), Amaka Okafor (The Responder, The Split) and Marc Wootton (Nativity).
And the film’s ‘boy band’ are Aaron Bryan, Dalvin Cory, Joshua Jung, Mark Samaras and Mervin Noronha, who will also all be visiting Clitheroe next Tuesday.
Original members of Take That, Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen, are set to make a cameo in the movie.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here