Grappling with comedy
Crook to star in wrestling spoof
Mackenzie Crook is to play a tacky British wrestling manager in the latest of a trio of spoof films about the Seventies and Eighties.
The short film, which may be seen on Channel 4 later this year, reunites Crook with his Office co-star Patrick Baladi.
He told The Sun: ‘It's the British wrestling that was on ITV in the late Seventies and early Eighties - the colourful era of Big Daddy, Giant Haystacks and Mick McManus.
‘I play Gorgeous George - he was the manager of Kendo Nagasaki. It's all set on a night bus and is really funny.’
It’s the third film Crook has made with creators Tim Plester and Ben Gregor, about flamboyant but dated celebrities in modern situations.
The first was about Adam and the Ants going late-night shopping in a supermarket, and also starred Nick Moran and Mark Heap. It won the audience award at the 2003 Sydney Film Festival. Click here to view the trailer.
The second, a couple of years ago, was called Blake’s Junction 7, and was about the cast of the classic British sci-fi series in a motorway service station.
Crook donned drag to play the villainous Servelan, while the cast also included Johnny Vegas, Martin Freeman, Justin Edwards, Simon Farnaby and Susan Earl. Click here to view the trailer.
The film-makers hope their work will be screened on Channel 4 later this year, and plan to release it on DVD in 2007.
Published: 12 Apr 2006
