The Choral | |
---|---|
![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Nicholas Hytner |
Written by | Alan Bennett |
Produced by |
|
Starring | |
Cinematography | Mike Eley |
Edited by | Tariq Anwar |
Music by | George Fenton |
Production companies |
|
Distributed by | Sony Pictures Classics |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 113 minutes [1] |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
The Choral is a 2025 British historical comedy drama film directed by Nicholas Hytner and written by Alan Bennett. Set in 1916, during World War I, in the fictional town of Ramsden, Yorkshire, the film follows the members of the local choral society which recruits a group of teenage boys and girls for a performance of Edward Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius . It stars Ralph Fiennes, Roger Allam, Mark Addy, Alun Armstrong, Robert Emms, and Simon Russell Beale.
The film had its world premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival on 5 September 2025 in the Gala Presentations section, and will be theatrically released in the United Kingdom on 7 November 2025.
In March 2024, it was announced that Nicholas Hytner would be directing the film The Choral from a script by frequent collaborator Alan Bennett; unlike their previous projects which were based on stage plays written by Bennett, this is an original screenplay. Ralph Fiennes and Simon Russell Beale were announced to be starring. Sony Pictures Classics acquired worldwide distribution rights to the film and financed, along with BBC Film and Screen Yorkshire. Hytner also serves as producer alongside Kevin Loader and Damian Jones.
Principal photography commenced on 28 May 2024 in Yorkshire. [2] [3] The village of Saltaire was used as a filming location for the film. Filming locations in the village included Salts Mill, Victoria Hall, and along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. [4]
George Fenton was hired to compose the score. [5]
The film will have its world premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival on 5 September 2025, [1] and will be theatrically released in the United Kingdom on 7 November 2025. [6]