Northern soul

The action of "Soulboy" (previously titled 'Souled Out') is set in the Northern Soul scene of 1974, against the backdrop of miners' strikes, power cuts and fighting on the football terraces.

It tells the story of 17 year old Joe McCain who learns about life and love through the music of the era. It's set around the scene at the Wigan Casino - arguably the home of Northern Soul during that time.

Kings Hall

With that venue now long gone, the films producers were forced to look elsewhere for a location for the movie, and that's when they found the Kings Hall in Stoke.

"As soon as we saw it we knew it was the only place we could make the film." says producer Christina Alderson.

"Half of the film is about being inside Wigan Casino, and the Kings Hall just has that complete vibe about it. Not only is it the right venue in terms of shape and size, but it also still runs Northern Soul nights."

BBC TV spoke to the film's creators, and also to BBC Stoke's Northern Soul producer Mary Fox to ask them why Stoke was such a suitable location for the film. To see the video, click on the link below...

Stars

The film stars Scottish actor Martin Compston, who's appeared in Ken Loach's "Sweet 16", and the TV show Monarch of the Glen.

His love interest, Jane, is played by Felicity Jones who's also starring in the brand new Ricky Gervais movie, Cemetery Junction.

Other faces you may recognise include Pat Shortt, a major actor in his home country of Ireland, and a regular star of comedy series "Father Ted" and Huey Morgan, the lead singer of the New York rock band, the Fun Lovin' Criminals.

A poster for the original Wigan Casino

The film's director is Shimmy Marcus.

Film school

The film is being produced in conjunction with Staffordshire University, and students will have the chance to be involved with its production over the next year.

A cinema release is planned for Spring 2010. The soundtrack, produced by Universal Music, will include songs from Paul Weller, Mark Ronson and The Dap-Kings, the backing band for Amy Winehouse.