Kristin Scott Thomas and Sharon Horgan lead the ladies at the Military Wives premiere in London… as they’re joined on the red carpet by the real-life choir the movie is based on
They’re playing Kate and Lisa – characters inspired by the real-life wives of soldiers serving in Afghanistan who formed a choir a decade ago comprised of women across the UK and abroad.
And Kristin Scott Thomas and Sharon Horgan lead some of the real members of the women’s choir at the Military Wives premiere in London on Monday night, at the Cineworld Leicester Square
The actresses shared a laugh together on the red carpet, both looking sensational in their glamorous ensembles.
Leading the way: Dame Kristin Scott Thomas and Sharon Horgan hit the red carpet on Monday night for the London premiere of Military Wives
Dame Kristin, 59, stunned in an ankle-length white/gold sparkling gown, with matching strap heels.
The classic Brit actress whipped her bronze mane atop her head, showcasing a pair of diamond earrings, and splashed a pop of red to her lips for added flare.
Sharon, 49, wore a satin black jumpsuit, with metallic silver heels.
She carried a matching tote bag and added sparkling jewelry to the look, wearing her flame-red mane loosely around her shoulders.
Sparkling: Dame Kristin, 59, stunned in an ankle-length white/gold sparkling gown, with matching strap heels
Based on true events: They’re playing Kate and Lisa – characters inspired by the real-life wives of soldiers serving in Afghanistan who formed a choir a decade ago comprised of women across the UK and abroad
So chic: Sharon, 49, wore a satin black jumpsuit, with metallic silver heels. She carried a matching tote bag and added sparkling jewelry to the look
Real life stars: The actresses lead some of the real members of the women’s choir at the Cineworld Leicester Square
Kristin and Sharon happily chatted among the ladies of the Military Wives Choir as they lined up and posed for photos together.
Others in attendance included actors Jason Flemyng and Amel Rachedi, as well as army wife Samantha Stevenson and choirmaster husband Gareth Malone.
The latter featured on the BBC series The Choir, and helped set up the Military Wives chorus of women, on which the new movie is based.
The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on 6 September 2019 and is scheduled to be released in the United Kingdom on 6 March 2020 and in the United States on 27 March 2020.
Hair today: Kristin whipped her bronze mane atop her head, while Sharon wore her flame-red locks loosely around her shoulders
Pals: The actresses shared a laugh together on the red carpet, both looking sensational in their glamorous ensembles
Glam: Kristin was showcasing a pair of diamond earrings, and splashed a pop of red to her lips for added flare
Down the line: Kristin happily chatted among the ladies of the Military Wives Choir
With the gals: The ladies looked excitable to be at the movie premiere
Lorraine Kelly was also in attendance, interviewing those on the red carpet.
She looked lovely in a sweeping red gown which fell to her ankles, featuring semi-sheer sleeves.
She matched the look with heels and watched on as the real Military Wives choir took to the stage.
The songstresses performed for those in attendance at the central London venue.
Critical acclaim: The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on 6 September 2019
Coming soon: Military Wives is scheduled to be released in the United Kingdom on 6 March 2020 and in the United States on 27 March 2020
Here come the girls: It was all smiles for the ladies at the glitzy London event
The real deal: The women looked fantastic in sleek black gowns
Cheering them on: Kristin wrapped up in a black and white coat as she watched the choir sing
Cast and crew: The group posed for a mass shot on the red carpet
In a recent interview with the Mail, Kristin addressed the matter of whether she considered herself a singer before taking on the role.
‘Well… I like to think I can hold a tune,’ she said, before laughing and adding: ‘Yeah, not really. But it was really good fun.’
In the film, her character Kate is the wife of a colonel who, with other wives on an Army base, sets up a choir.
Kate hides her character behind a façade of effortless efficiency. Her husband, played by Greg Wise, is headed back to Afghanistan.
‘There’s loneliness at the heart of it,’ she went on. ‘The stress, the anxiety, the waiting for someone. Oh, I just do not know how they do it.
Trailblazers: Army wife Samantha Stevenson and choirmaster husband Gareth Malone posed on the red carpet
Snapped: Gareth snapped selfies with some of the real-life and on-screen stars
Lorraine Lorraine! The TV goddess chatted to some of the real-life singers
On the mic: The daytime queen looked radiant at the inspirational event
Watching on: The stars were in awe as they watched their real-life counterparts perform
Chatting: Kristin and Sharon happily spoke on the red carpet about the project
Altogether now! Gareth posed with his choir, proud as punch
Others in attendance included [L-R] actors Jason Flemyng and Amel Rachedi
Ravishing in red: Lorraine Kelly was also in attendance, interviewing those on the red carpet
Songstresses: The choir sang for the attendees at the central London venue
Rouge: She looked lovely in a sweeping red gown which fell to her ankles, featuring semi-sheer sleeves. She matched the look with heels
‘I spent a lot of my childhood on what they called The Patch, the cul-de-sac, like the ones we see in the film, where we lived. It was an RAF base up in Yorkshire. My father was training RAF pilots.’
Simon Scott Thomas, a lieutenant commander in the Fleet Air Arm, was killed in a crash at Portland Bill in 1966 when Kristin was just five. Six years later her stepfather, Simon Idiens, also a lieutenant commander, died when the Phantom jet he was piloting crashed into the sea off Trevose Head in Cornwall.
Kristin’s two step-brothers served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and she called on them for background for the movie project.
‘I would ring them up and go: “Does it happen like this, or like that?” They were very helpful,’ she reported.
In the film, Kate’s a psychological mess, but ‘she has to put on this front and be a leader. It’s very difficult being a leader,’ Kristin said.
Bopping along: Lorraine watched on as the real Military Wives choir took to the stage
Interviewees: Lorraine asked the actresses some questions about the film
Date night: Jason Merrells and wife Emma Lowndes – Emma stars as Annie in the film
Black and white: Tina Hobley attended wearing a sleek ensemble featuring leather trousers and a sweeping trench
At the helm: Director Peter Cattaneo posed proudly for snaps
The actress found out about her grandfather Captain William Scott Thomas’s wartime leadership while taking part in the C4 programme My Grandparents’ War.
‘When you’re the captain of a ship, everybody looks to you; and if you show fear or anxiety that will immediately cascade through the ship. You have to be a stalwart and really, really strong.
‘That’s what Kate’s trying to do. Keeping everybody together — which is her way of keeping herself together.’
Legend: The director – who is also responsible for the likes of classics such as The Full Monty – attended alongside his family
Beauties: Brenda Edwards sparkled alongside her aunt on the red carpet
All the glamour: [L-R] Roxy Faridany, Laura Checkley, Sophie Dix, India Ria Amarteifio, Caroline Redman Lusher, Laura Elphinstone and Emma Lowndes
Suave: Some of the Chelsea Pensioners attended the screening
Inspiring: There was a sense of camaraderie in the air during the evening
She relished playing the part. ‘It’s always interesting to have the obstacle,’ she said. ‘Her behaviour is creating the obstacle, and she’s lonely. It’s lonely at the top.’
She certainly wasn’t lonely during filming when, sometimes, there were as many as 40 women on set.
‘You did feel a kind of camaraderie and sisterhood, which was really nice,’ she agreed. ‘It’s fun doing ensemble pieces like this one, Four Weddings And A Funeral and Gosford Park. Ones where you can really have a great time.
Playing the part: Kristin plays Kate who, with other wives on an Army base [including fellow star Sharon] sets up a choir
Tuneful? In a recent interview with the Mail, Kristin addressed the matter of whether she considered herself a singer before taking on the role
Relished: ‘It’s always interesting to have the obstacle,’ she said. ‘Her behaviour is creating the obstacle, and she’s lonely. It’s lonely at the top.’ She certainly wasn’t lonely during filming when, sometimes, there were as many as 40 women on set
‘The choir thing was very much how it worked among us. To begin with, it was tentative; and gradually we got more and more confidence, and it became easier.’
She had some vocal coaching. ‘You do all the exercises and you feel rather foolish doing the lalalaas and the ooos,’ she admitted. ‘I think I’m a mezzo soprano. Fairly common. What was really wonderful, though, and quite unexpected, was the absolute joy when you all do your best, and get it right.
‘The first time we learned the main song, at the end we all turned to each other and burst into laughter. We were so happy to get it right!’
She found the experience therapeutic. ‘You feel good, because you’re breathing and you’re relaxed. And the sound of it, when it works, is happiness! It was a tonic.’
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