The play Calendar Girls

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Tim Tirth - Biography continued...

...contd

Even before the birth of his three children, Tim had started to write for children and his series THE ROTTENTROLLS (based on stories his Dad used to tell him when HE was a kid) became a cult hit, one of the first series ever to be broadcast the same day at four o'clock for children and then at half past midnight for adults. It won a BAFTA for Best Children's Entertainment.

Tim's first two feature films were released in 2003. CALENDAR GIRLS, starring Helen Mirren and Julie Walters went to number one in the UK, becoming the seventh most successful British film of all time and one of the top fifty grossing films in UK cinema history. It charted at number five in the USA and has so far grossed over 93 million dollars worldwide, winning awards along the way. BLACKBALL, starring Paul Kaye, Johnny Vegas and Vince Vaughn reached number three in the UK charts. The two films opened in the same week at cinemas either side of Leicester Square.

In 2004 Tim developed a season of single comedy plays entitled TRAPPED, featuring work by Tim and writers Simon Nye and Jonathan Harvey. The series starred Richard Wilson, Martin Clunes and Caroline Quentin. All three films in the series is available on DVD.

And, in 2004 things came full circle from that first writing course as Tim recorded his first album HARMLESS FLIRTING and completed a songwriting project for the theatre with Willy Russell. This became the IN OTHER WORDS show and toured the UK.

We have produced an on-line programme for this show and you can view it from this web-site here >>>

Tim and Willy Russell also completed a twelve date residency at the Pleasance Grand during Edinburgh's Fringe Festival. They also appeared on Mike Harding's BBC Radio 2 show from the Rawhide Club in Liverpool. We have some photos of Tim and the band here >>>

In 2005 Tim Firth's third feature film, KINKY BOOTS, was released to great reviews. Starring Joel Edgerton and Chiwetel Ejiofo, the film was inspired by the true story of a traditional English men's footwear factory in Northamptonshire which turned to production of kinky boots for transvestites in order to save the ailing family business and safeguard the jobs of the local community. The film reached three in the charts and won audience awards at the Sundance, Florida and Bermuda film festivals in America.

THE SAFARI PARTY toured theatres across the UK in 2006. The production starred Christopher Timothy (All Creatures Great and Small & Doctors), Sara Crowe (Four Weddings and a Funeral) and Jack Ryder (EastEnders).

During two successive Christmas runs, the stage version of THE FLINT STREET NATIVITY at the Liverpool Playhouse became the most successful production in the theatre's history, breaking box office records. The Times listed it amongst its top twenty 'must see' Christmas shows and the Guardian gave the production top billing. In a 4-star review, The Metro described Tim Firth’s play as ‘excellent’ while the BBC online review praised it’s ‘life and vitality’ and ‘fine ensemble acting’.

Tim’s latest film script is CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC, released in February 2009. The film, which is a romantic comedy, is an adaptation of Sophie Kinsella's novels and stars Isla Fisher.

His recent work for stage includes a UK tour in 2009 of A SIGN OF THE TIMES, starring Stephen Tompkinson. CALENDAR GIRLS in London’s WEST END was a huge success in 2009 and this year the show is about to embark on one of the largest UK tours for a play, and opens in major cities across the world.

Tim lives in the North West of England with his wife Katy, and children Jack, Joe and Georgia.

January 2010