Photo credit: Sandra Marvin, Nicola Roberts and Russell Tovey (Photo stills courtesy of Helena Dudley at Freuds)

Josie Rourke directs short film to celebrate Covid-19 vaccine programme

Feel "The Rhythm of Life" once more with a Covid-19 vaccine.

Sophie Thomas
Sophie Thomas

To celebrate the continued rollout of Covid-19 vaccinations across the country, a new short film has been released. Conceived and directed by Josie Rourke, the musical film set to "The Rhythm of Life" from Sweet Charity stars a variety of famous faces as they encourage viewers to get their vaccinations.

The new film released today follows the launch of a national campaign urging everyone to get jabbed. The film was produced by Charles Finch and Peregrine Kitchener-Fellowes at Standalone Pictures.

Actors taking part include Jim Broadbent, who starred in both the Only Fools and Horses television series and the Moulin Rouge! The Musical film. Speaking about the film, he said: "The film gave us the chance to show our appreciation and celebration for the vaccine rollout in the best way we know how... Vaccines are helping us get back to everything we love and every industry - including the arts - couldn't be more grateful to each and every person for getting their vaccine."

"I want to implore everyone to get their vaccine when called so we can get back to the all-singing, all-dancing, rhythm of life that we love" said Billionaire Boy author David Walliams, who also stars. Asa Butterfield, Colin Salmon, Derek Jacobi, Don Warrington, Nicola Roberts, Russell Tovey, Sandra Marvin and an ensemble of West End dancers.

The film is directed by Josie Rourke, whose production of Sweet Charity was her swansong as the Donmar Warehouse's artistic director.

Currently, theatres are allowed to open at full capacity from 19 July in line with step four of the Coronavirus roadmap, which you can read more about here. But, theatres are still open and the West End is alive, with shows throughout July

Photo credit: Sandra Marvin, Nicola Roberts and Russell Tovey (Photo stills courtesy of Helena Dudley at Freuds)

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