A school production of the 2003 Christmas classic Love Actually has been dubbed better than the original by film director Richard Curtis.
Starring teachers from St Wilfrid’s School in Crawley, West Sussex, the production has proved to be such a Christmas cracker that filmmaker Curtis said: ‘Your version is better directed than mine’, via his wife Emma Freud’s Twitter account.
The hilarious remake opens with a like-for-like scene of a teacher recreating Bill Nighy’s rendition of Christmas Is All Around Us, while students watch on as he muddles the lyrics.
A school production by teachers at St Wilfrid’s in West Sussex, of the 2003 Christmas classic Love Actually, has been dubbed better than the original by film director Richard Curtis, after his wife Emma Freud took to Twitter to praise the heartwarming remake
Starring teachers from the school in Crawley the production has proved to be such a Christmas cracker that filmmaker Curtis tweeted: ‘Your version is better directed than mine’, via his wife Emma
Richard Curtis (pictured) was said to have been delighted with the school’s version of his Christmas classic
Panning to a wide view of the bustling school: ‘One day until the end of term’ appears on the screen, nodding to Love Actually’s countdown to Christmas.
Putting in a scene stealing performance, school chef Derek Donaldson took on Rowan Atkinson’s role in the original, swapping jewelry for a roast dinner with all the trimmings.
In the scene, a devious teacher tries to buy the roast before his wife catches him in the act, only for the Mr Donaldson to painstakingly gift wrap the meal for him.
Panning to a wide view of the bustling school: ‘One day until the end of term’ appears on the screen, nodding to Love Actually’s countdown to Christmas
Putting in a scene stealing performance, school chef Derek Donaldson took on the role played by Rowan Atkinson in the original, swapping jewelry for a roast dinner with all the trimmings
Like for like: In the scene, a devious teacher tries to buy the roast before his wife catches him in the act, only for the Mr Donaldson to painstakingly gift wrap the meal for him – much like Rowan Atkinson and Alan Rickman’s comical face off
Meanwhile head teacher Michael Ferry channels his inner Hugh Grant as he praises his staff for their dedication and performances in a moving speech.
Ending with a shot of the entire staff on stage singing the Beatles’ All You Need Is Love, the heartwarming clip has been viewed more than 4,000 times online in just two days.
Sharing the remake to her followers online, Emma Freud, the broadcaster and wife of Curtis, tweeted: ‘Richard says “your version is better directed than mine”. it’s ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS. thank you for tweeting it. and congratulations. what a school.’
Meanwhile head teacher Michael Ferry channels his inner Hugh Grant as he praises his staff for their dedication and performances in a moving speech
Much like Hugh Grant in the film, whose impassioned speech near the end wins over his love interest, played by Martine McCutcheon
Ending with a shot of the entire staff on stage singing the Beatles’ All You Need Is Love, the heartwarming clip has been viewed more than 4,000 times online in two days
Adding: ‘Would you tell your headmaster that his speech at the end had us in tears. What an amazing school. What a brilliant video. What an incredibly beautiful message you are giving your students and staff.
‘Total respect and love to him and you all.’
Before tweeting again: ‘Seriously…. massive congratulations. It’s absolutely gorgeous. Beautifully made. Beautifully edited. Beautifully scripted at the end.’