East Finchley is comedy central (From Times Series)

East Finchley is comedy central

10:26am Wednesday 18th May 2005 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

Filming on location is never easy. A plate of croissants has ruined the shot. The offending pastries are moved for the fourth time running, while Salvaltore Arricale, owner of Giuliano's Cafe, in High Road, East Finchley, teaches radio and TV presenter Josie D'Arby how to use the till.

The croissants are moved again, and in walks Channel 4's Friday Night Project star Rob Rouse to his take position in the leading shot.

In true movie style, the pavements are cleared, the crew huddle up coils and coils of cable and it's, literally, lights, camera and action.

These are fast becoming the most famous croissants in East Finchley, as film crews took to Giuliano's to create scenes for the show being filmed under the working title of the Zeppotron Sketch Show (after its production company). In typical TV parlance, it is described as Little Britain meets Smack the Pony all within the bracket of The Fast Show.

The now cramped cafe is teaming with production staff, who have been here since 7.30am, before they move towards East Finchley Tube station at 10.30am, about the right time for the crowds to have died down.

A spokesman for London Underground said the platform was spare' at the time of filming and it caused no disruption to travel. But why East Finchley? Was it its charm, its comedy pedigree (we're thinking Spike Milligan and the League of Gentlemen), its heritage or perhaps its friendly village-like feel?

Not really. Instead, take a bow Barnet Council and London Underground. "We needed to find a film-friendly council and Barnet is one of those," said Johnny Ludlow, location manager for the show. "We then needed to find somewhere with a spare platform outside so that we could film a scene where a woman is using a mobile phone, and being extremely blunt about a man she's met," he said. "She describes him as bald and fat."

By early afternoon, the crew was heading over to Hendon Crematorium, where we'll film inside and out', said Mr Ludlow.

In general, most people were impressed by the sight of the cameras. "It was good fun and provided a bit of excitement for people on a Friday morning," said Mr Arricale, but not everyone was so keen.

Niranjana Patel, who runs neighbouring shop Costcutters, in High Road, said: "Their vehicles use up all the parking bays and that's bad for custom."

The show will be aired in the autumn on Friday evenings on Channel 4 from 10pm. It will run for six episodes, although an exact scheduling date is yet to be set.