Pilot episode of The Baths to premiere at Burnley cinema

Burnley filmmaker and actor, Jack Hartley, has written and directed the pilot episode of The Baths, a 'mockumentary' which follows the lives of staff at the fictional Gorple Baths.

In the episode, we see a staff at Gorple Baths go up against each other in order to achieve the employee of the month badge.

Filming for the episode took place over three days at Padiham Leisure Centre in April 2022.

Poster for The Baths (Image: Jack Hartley)

The pilot episode is set to be screened at Burnley’s Reel Cinema, on Saturday, February 3.

Jack, a former Towneley High School pupil, recently released the trailer for the episode after working on the pilot episode for more than a year. The clip has received more than 335,000 views on Twitter.

Jack said: “Due to popular demand we will be doing two screenings on the night. The first one will be for the cast, crew and staff of Padiham Leisure Centre and then the second will be for everyone else. 

“There are 157 seats in total and we have access to the largest screen in the cinema. 

“The support we have received from the local community has been incredible and has absolutely blown me and the team away. 

“Tickets to see the pilot will be free and it’s a first come first served basis -  I wish I could give everyone a seat!”

Alice Barry in The Baths (Image: Sam Crowston)

The episode features an actress from Channel 4 comedy, Shameless UK, a show which aired from 2005-2014.

Burnley actress Alice Barry played local busy-body and brothel owner, Lilian Tyler, on the Channel 4 show.

The Baths cast and crew preparing to be interviewed at BBC Radio Lancashire (Image: Sam Crowston)

Jack is currently in the process of pitching the pilot episode to major production companies, in the hope that it will be picked up and turned into a six-part series.

Anyone interested in getting a ticket should email info@zomdicfilms.com. Include the full names of those hoping for a ticket.