| The Choral | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Nicholas Hytner |
| Written by | Alan Bennett |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Mike Eley |
| Edited by | Tariq Anwar |
| Music by | George Fenton |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Sony Pictures Classics |
Release dates |
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Running time | 113 minutes[1] |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
The Choral is an upcoming British historical comedy-drama film directed by Nicholas Hytner and written by Alan Bennett. Set in 1916, during World War I, in the fictional town of Ramsden, Yorkshire, the film follows the members of the local choral society which recruits a group of teenage boys and girls for a performance of Edward Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius. It stars Ralph Fiennes, Roger Allam, Mark Addy, Alun Armstrong, Robert Emms, and Simon Russell Beale.
The film will have its world premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival on 5 September 2025, and will be theatrically released in the United Kingdom on 7 November 2025.
Cast
[edit]- Ralph Fiennes as Dr. Guthrie
- Roger Allam
- Mark Addy
- Alun Armstrong
- Robert Emms
- Simon Russell Beale
- Oliver Briscombe
- Ignatius Burrows
Production
[edit]In March 2024, it was announced that Nicholas Hytner would be directing the film The Choral from a script by frequent collaborator Alan Bennett; unlike their previous projects which were based on stage plays written by Bennett, this is an original screenplay. Ralph Fiennes and Simon Russell Beale were announced to be starring. Sony Pictures Classics acquired worldwide distribution rights to the film and financed, along with BBC Film and Screen Yorkshire. Hytner also serves as producer alongside Kevin Loader and Damian Jones.
Principal photography commenced on 28 May 2024 in Yorkshire.[2][3] The village of Saltaire was used as a filming location for the film. Filming locations in the village included Salts Mill, Victoria Hall, and along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.[4]
George Fenton was hired to compose the score.[5]
Release
[edit]The film will have its world premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival on 5 September 2025,[1] and will be theatrically released in the United Kingdom on 7 November 2025.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "The Choral". Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ Hipes, Patrick (20 March 2024). "Ralph Fiennes, Jim Broadbent & Simon Russell Beale To Star In Nicholas Hytner-Alan Bennett Reteam 'The Choral'; SPC Lands Rights". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
- ^ Parker, Jess (28 May 2024). "Ralph Fiennes Heads to the Western Front as 'The Choral' Begins Filming". Collider. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
- ^ Newman, Rowan (5 August 2025). "Saltaire used for The Choral starring Ralph Fiennes". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
- ^ Reporter, Film Music (16 July 2025). "George Fenton Scoring Nicholas Hytner's 'The Choral'". Film Music Reporter. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
- ^ "The Choral". Sony Pictures. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
