Withnail and I star Paul McGann’s the man for top class narration at Bo’ness Hippfest

The talented actor who put the ‘I’ into 1987 cult classic comedy Withnail and I is coming to Bo’ness Hippodrome to show film fans his voiceover skills are as sharp as ever.
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One time Doctor Who and member of Britain’s answer to America’s acting Baldwin Brothers, Paul McCann will be providing narration for the closing film of this year’s Hippodrome Silent Film Festival – or Hippfest as it has become known.

Paul, who gave an amazing narration to accompany his best known film Withnail and I, will be appearing live at the Hippodrome on Sunday, March 22 to narrate 1920 movie L’Homme du Large.

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The star revealed it was actually a well-known British comedian who inspired his interest in silent films.

“As a child it was watching Bob Monkhouse’s telly show Mad Movies. Something about his passion for it all. Later as a student in London it was being caught up in the curiosity and excitement surrounding the showing of the newly restored Napoleon.

“That was also the time Louise Brooks was being rediscovered.”

Paul believes silent film still has a place in this age of CGI blockbusters.

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“Comparing the eras is comparing apples with oranges. But I think there’s something about the audacity of the film pioneers – with their in-camera techniques, for example – that can still teach us a thing or two about inventiveness.”

L’Homme du Large tells the tale of a fisherman whose heart is broken when his son rejects the sea faring way of life and Paul admitted he has a strong connection with that story.

“I grew up in Liverpool,” he said. “When we were children there were still passenger liners on the river as well as the odd naval ship you could pay to go around. Dad liked to take us. He’d served in the Navy and his dad and uncle had been merchant marines.

“I guess I must’ve wanted to please him because at eighteen I was all for signing up at a Navy careers office before my big brother stopped me. I auditioned at RADA instead. I still wonder if I did the right thing.”

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Well fans of Withnail and I will tell him he made the right choice.

Paul narrated that cult film, but his voiceover at the Hippodrome will be a little different.

“Well, it’s live for a start, which means having to rehearse, with musicians, who seem to need only a fraction of the time actors do so it’s all a bit quick. For some shows I’ll be sat at the sound desk near the back of the auditorium and for others I’m down front with the musicians, which I prefer.

“I can pretend I’m in the band.”

When he’s not narrating for L’Homme du Large, Paul will be able to enjoy some of Hippfest’s screenings and is most looking forward to Murnau’s City Girl.

L’Homme du Large sets sail at 8pm on Sunday, March 22.

Visit www.hippfest.co.uk or call (01324) 506850 for more information.