The star of a new cult film has expressed his surprised at the movie’s unexpected success.

Northern Soul is the directorial debut of photographer Elaine Constantine, following the black American soul-influenced movement that emerged from the north of England in the late 1960s.

Despite only opening at 83 screens across the UK, the film has garnered widespread critical acclaim and made the UK box office top 10.

It tells the story of two Northern boys in the 1970s, whose lives are transformed when they discover soul music.

Elliot James Langridge, 27, from Trafalgar Drive in Walton, plays John Clark in the movie.

He said: "I met Elaine the director on one of my first jobs, she told me about her script and that I looked right for one of the parts.

"I thought nothing of it, but then a year later Elaine sent me the script. I was blown away."

He said he never expected the response that the film has had, adding: "We knew the project was special, but you never know if the audience is going to feel the same."

The Northern Soul scene was unfamiliar until Mr Langridge got the part, and the film opened his eyes to a world he had never been aware.

He also had to learn how to do the  movements specific, energetic kind of dancing.

He said: "Being a southern fairy, I had to learn as I went along."

Speaking of his favourite memory from filming, he remembers walking into a replica of Wigan Casino that held 1,800 people, and said: "That was the moment that is clicked, that all the time and hard work I had put in to get the part had paid off and I was actually a lead in a film."

To celebrate the release of Northern Soul, Kingsmeadow Live is holding a special screening of the film at 8pm this Saturday, October 25. 

The movie will be followed by a Northern Soul-themed club night. 

Tickets cost £10. 

Visit kingsmeadowlive.com