Lights, Camera, Action - www.facebook.com/PaulMalBarbara

“Alright – cut there.” On cue we all stopped in midflow and caught our breath. We were exhausted, it was coming up to 9pm and as our delirium mixed with lactic acid we took a moment to swig Lucosade and mop our brows. “The problem is I don’t believe Rik is really hitting Guy. I know you don’t want to hurt him but at the moment the shot is not working.” It was then, as my fatigue urged me to suggest we go with what we’d got so we could all go to our homes and sleep for a week, that I heard myself say, “If it’s just one shot you need, Rik just smack me around – let’s make the shot perfect.” It was then that I invented what was later to be termed ‘Method Slapping’ and like all good methods it is truly traumatic for the actor. Needless to say the shot was perfect and we could pack up and head home, all happy in a good days work and with the crew’s compliments ringing in our ears – in my case I’m not sure if it was the compliments causing the shrill high pitch ring…




The day had started off early – far too early. There’s nothing quite like walking through Piccadilly Circus on a Sunday morning before 8am. There is an absolute calm and stillness about the place. For some it would seem eerie, hence the filming in “28 Days Later”. For others I guess it feels like the calm after the storm that is a West End Friday Night. You are guaranteed to be the only person there apart from a couple of road sweepers mounted on their motorised cleaning buggies – the ones that leave those wet “snail trail” markings along the pavement.



On the day of the shoot I watched as these “sweeper trails” merged with the puddles that one or two feral pigeons were bathing in. Though the environment was tranquil my mind was the complete mirror image. I have a lot of experience as an actor, some as a writer and hardly any as a producer. What I had absolutely no experience of was producing, writing and acting all at the same time. It provides a very disquieting, schizophrenic atmosphere in your head. As I went in search of a cup of coffee that morning prior to the shoot, my mind jumped from reciting lines, to worrying about animal acting skills, to trying to improve a punch line to running through the proposed budget, back all the way round to reciting my lines again. Needless to say what I needed most was to get cracking. We were ready: scripts had been written and re-written. Actors had rehearsed and developed their characters and the crew had prepped and recce'd and anymore preparation would have driven us all over the edge of reason and might well have threatened to turn us permanently into the nutters we were going to portray that day!



If there is one thing you love as a producer it’s seeing your cast and crew turn up on time, relaxed and focused. And it was with much pleasure that I watched as more and more people arrived at the cosy premises of Pall Mall Barbers ready for the day ahead. I couldn’t decide if it reminded me most of a comedy scene from a silent movie when an unfathomable amount of people cram themselves into a car or telephone box. Alternatively it could have been the beginning of an action thriller like “Oceans 11” or the “A Team” when a team is put together, where everyone has their own unique skill. In our case it was: camera man, lighting, sound, make-up, actors, dog etc etc.



Now this might sound cheesy and a cliché but I have honestly never worked on a set where there has been so much camaraderie and morale. It was truly a lesson to be learnt on how productive a shoot can be when everyone is pushing in the same direction towards a common goal. At the end of the day our director Richard Elson reviewed the shot count with disbelief and announced we had 64 shots, which for a one day shoot with a single camera is a hell of a lot!



At this stage, just prior to the release of the first sketch, I don’t want to give away any of the plots, characters or jokes, but for me there were so many highlights to the day. The first had to be seeing Charlotte Gascoyne’s hairdo, superbly put together by Jodie Hyams - combined with Charlotte’s brilliant portrayal of Barbara it was wonderful to watch.



The next highlight had to be Fry – all I will say about him is; four legs, adorable and the biggest upstager in the business! Of course the list goes on and on – contributions from Rhys Alexander and Jaymie Addicott, Alan Hescott and Luke Waldock made it a day of highlights. The one though that stands out most for me was during a short break when I was not needed on set. I went with the First AD John Foxen to pick up lunch for everyone. At the time Richard was just rehearsing with Rhys and Jaymie on a certain comedy love scene they were about to shoot (I will not go into more detail than that). As we returned from the shops, laden with baguettes and carrot cake, we were walking down the road behind three little, old ladies. Now these women resembled weather-beaten battle axes. They had seen it all and passed their unflinching judgement with cruel efficiency, but as they passed Pall Mall Barbers and the filming that was taking place, their world was shaken to its very foundations.



It was at this point that Rhys and Jaymie were in full flow in their comedy love scene. I hasten to add it is in no way pornographic - if it was, these little old ladies would simply have shaken their heads and carried on walking proud. No – what the ladies saw shocked and confused them. John and I walked behind, weeping with laughter, knowing that the joke was working. It is only with regret however that on watching the rough cuts that you can’t see the three little old ladies as they were just too short to make the shot. If you look closely you’ll just see three heads bobbing along as Jaymie and Rhys express their ‘unique’ love.



I will not say anymore than please look out for the sketches and let us know what you think. We had a lot of fun making them so I hope you enjoy watching them as well. This week we will be releasing a brilliant trailer of the forthcoming carnage that is, “Paul Mal Barbara’s”



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The D R Harris Shave exclusive to Pall Mall Barbers

The D R Harris Wet Shave is the pinnacle of shaving experiences. As with the other available shaves, our barbers take absolute care and attention to give the smoothest, most comfortable shave the client has ever experienced. Aided in their task the barbers use the very best D R Harris Arlington range products. D.R Harris is one of London’s oldest pharmacies and has been in St James’s Street for over 200 years. This family-owned business holds the warrant to HRH The Prince of Wales. The majority of their products are still produced by traditional methods, being hand-made and packed in their own premises just around the corner. It is our absolute pleasure to team up with such a wonderful company to provide this unique shaving experience. The process starts with the D R Harris exfoliator being applied to the face and neck to invigorate the skin, then the barber wraps the clients face in sumptuous hot towels. After a relaxing few minutes whilst the steam opens the pores, luxurious shaving oil is applied to the face. Once this facial massage is complete the steaming towels are re-applied. After this procedure the D R Harris Arlington Shaving Cream is gently daubed onto the face and neck. It has a wonderful citrus and fern scent and enables the barber to perform an expert shave. Once this skilled process is complete we then apply the D R Harris Arlington Shave Milk, which is a mild antiseptic, but don’t worry it does not contain alcohol and will not sting. To help close the pores the barber will apply refreshing cold towels to the face and then the client has a choice of either a splash of Arlington after shave or cologne. We have absolute confidence you’ll be in seventh heaven after one of these unique shaves.


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What people are saying about PMB

just Browsing the internet and found what people are writing about our Barbershop in London.



Since coming to London I have been plagued with overpriced, poor haircuts from "salons". I never once had my hair cut in a way that I felt comfortable with - that is, until I discovered Pall Mall Barbers London a few months ago. I decided to try a vintage style haircut, was pointed their way and was extremely pleased with ...the results - my wife even liked the short faded sides! I have since been back many times - these guys are serious technicians and artists, they know exactly how to cut my hair and have great imagination in creating something a bit different each time. I have no plans to visit anywhere else for my haircuts and hope they stay in business, otherwise Ill be left to the mercy of the salon witches.....Ramon Wodkowski



Just tucked away behind Leicester Square is a great traditional barbers shop, you don't see too many of these about and certainly not in the West End. Only 5 chairs, but worth a visit, really friendly staff who take a pride and care in what they do. They make you feel like a customer! Best to book though.
Only trouble is they listen to Virgin Radio!!!!




Ben has been cutting my hair for years, both at his old shop and now at Pall Mall Barbers. It’s a very relaxed and traditional place, with skilled staff, and no end of witticisms from Ben himself. Very reasonably priced too and close to practically everywhere in the west end. Michael P



Pall Mall Barbers London has been cutting my hair for several years now... First of all they are fantastic barbers, but the traditional touch of the actual barber shop (Pall Mall) is the icing on the cake for me. An overall friendly and old school barber shop, located in a cool area of town. Also offering a great range of products, more importantly - value for money! Get your mop chopped at Pall Mall Barbers in London and see for yourself!



I've been having my haircut at Pall Mall Barbers for the last 2 years and have never been disappointed by their level of expertise and service. They deliver top-end haircuts - at fraction of the cost of their try-hard Soho competitors - in a traditional friendly barber shop environment. Abhay K


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