Wednesday, December 07, 2011
A DOWNTON Abbey star visited a country pub when it became a Sky TV studio for the day.The 16th century Well House Inn in Mugswell, near Chipstead, played host to stars of screen and stage two weeks ago. The building was transformed into a Derbyshire local for a new comedy drama called Starlings.
He said: "In this trade you don't get the time to see much telly."
Mr Brinkworth, 59, added: "The side area of the public bar became furniture storage, our conservatory became their admin and paperwork unit with their own coffee and water machine, and our restaurant was turned over to their sound recording, producer, director and make-up girls.
"It's amazing how they distort real life – they were doing night shots during the day, day shots during the night – they built a black tent out at the front of the pub to make it night, and they used strong lights as it's set in the summer."
He said he was surprised by how many people were involved in the shoot, adding: "It was so packed during the shooting. There was a scene in the public bar, and when they had done that it turned into the furniture store and where all the extras were.
"None of my regulars had a cameo though there were plenty of offers."
Mr Brinkworth, landlord for more than ten years, said the location manager for the programme had been looking for a pub with "old world charm" – and fortunately one of the crew lived nearby and was aware of it.
If the show is successful and a second series is commissioned, further shooting at the pub may be needed next year.
And Mr Brinkworth said anyone wanting to look around the "set" after the show aired would be welcome, saying: "We're called the Well House in the show which is handy, they didn't change the name, but there may be people looking around Derbyshire trying to find the Well House in the wrong county."
A spokesman for Sky said: "Starlings will follow the lives of the Starlings family, a typical working class brood living in a detached house in Matlock.
"Grandad has been in a rabble-rousing incident at the old folks' home. Rather than see him unhappy, his son and daughter-in-law decide to put him up in their already crammed family home."
It will be broadcast next year.
But despite a cast including Brendan Coyle, who plays John Bates in Downton Abbey, and Lesley Sharp who plays DC Janet Scott in Scott & Bailey, landlord Stuart Brinkworth wasn't too sure who his new regulars were.
He said: "In this trade you don't get the time to see much telly."
Mr Brinkworth, 59, added: "The side area of the public bar became furniture storage, our conservatory became their admin and paperwork unit with their own coffee and water machine, and our restaurant was turned over to their sound recording, producer, director and make-up girls.
"It's amazing how they distort real life – they were doing night shots during the day, day shots during the night – they built a black tent out at the front of the pub to make it night, and they used strong lights as it's set in the summer."
He said he was surprised by how many people were involved in the shoot, adding: "It was so packed during the shooting. There was a scene in the public bar, and when they had done that it turned into the furniture store and where all the extras were.
"None of my regulars had a cameo though there were plenty of offers."
Mr Brinkworth, landlord for more than ten years, said the location manager for the programme had been looking for a pub with "old world charm" – and fortunately one of the crew lived nearby and was aware of it.
If the show is successful and a second series is commissioned, further shooting at the pub may be needed next year.
And Mr Brinkworth said anyone wanting to look around the "set" after the show aired would be welcome, saying: "We're called the Well House in the show which is handy, they didn't change the name, but there may be people looking around Derbyshire trying to find the Well House in the wrong county."
A spokesman for Sky said: "Starlings will follow the lives of the Starlings family, a typical working class brood living in a detached house in Matlock.
"Grandad has been in a rabble-rousing incident at the old folks' home. Rather than see him unhappy, his son and daughter-in-law decide to put him up in their already crammed family home."
It will be broadcast next year.
Surrey Today
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