feature film | drama | 2008 | 85mins
Starring William Beck, Stephen Kennedy and Maureen Lipman
Writer Martin Wagner Director Lesley Manning
(for the play see pages on the Trafalgar Studios and the Old Red Lion runs)
It’s all in a day’s work for high-flying literary agent Alexander; manuscripts to read, deals to be done, celebrity clients to be taken out to lunch… but first there is an author to deal with whose latest book the agent thinks is, frankly, not up to scratch. However he hadn't counted on the author's resourcefulness...
This bitingly funny film takes you behind the scenes of the publishing world to witness the wheeling and dealing required to create the next best-seller.
The Agent has just completed shooting on location in London, and will be ready in the spring of 2008.
Become a sponsor
We are still short of some of the budget for post-production and are raising the remainder through sponsorship. For £50 (approx 71 Euros or 100 US dollars) you will receive:
- a screen credit
- a DVD of the finished film
- a copy of The Agent book
- two tickets to a special preview screening in London
To sponsor The Agent, simply click 'add to basket' below and pay by credit/debit card.
Or if you prefer, click here to download a sponsorship form, and pay by cheque or credit card. All sponsors will receive regular email updates about the production. For frequently asked questions see below.
To read an article by Martin Wagner on agents in The Guardian, click here.
The cast & crew
William Beck (Alexander - the agent)
William Beck is best known for his television roles as Reece in Attachments and Roy in Robin Hood and starred as Michael in Rufus Norris' highly acclaimed Almeida production of Festen.
Stephen Kennedy (Stephen - the writer)
Stephen Kennedy plays Ian Craig in The Archers, and has recently appeared in Richard Eyre's film Notes on a Scandal. His recent theatre credits include Harold Pinter's The Birthday Party and Cyrano de Bergerac (both at Bristol old Vic), Women of Troy at the National Theatre as well as performances at the Royal Court, The Riverside Studios and the RSC.
Maureen Lipman (Charlie - the publisher)
biography coming soon
also with Richard Trinder, Aislinn Mangan, Laura Morgan, Robert Bowman, Fergus O'Donnell, Henry Hereford and more
Lesley Manning (director/co-producer)
Lesley Manning is a film and television director. Her credits include Ghostwatch, one of the BBC's highest rating single drama, P.O.V., Berkeley Square and the forthcoming Telepathy, written by Stephen Volk.
Martin Wagner (writer/producer)
Martin Wagner is a writer, film-maker and publisher living in London. His first novel, Rachel's Machine, was published by Pinter & Martin in the UK and Mondadori in Italy. His acclaimed book The Little Driver is used in Spain to educate children about traffic issues, and was followed by the biting satire on contemporary politics The Little Politician. (click here for full bio)
Humphrey Jaeger (production designer)
Humphrey Jaeger is a Bafta nominated set designer whose credits include An American Haunting and the upcoming Wide Blue Yonder starring Brian Cox and Lauren Bacall.
Jonathan Harvey (cinematographer)
Brendan McNamara (casting director) website
Malika Mezeli (production manager)
full crew list coming soon
Reviews of the play
The Agent is based on the play of the same title which premiered at the Old Red Lion in Islington in March 2007, and transferred to the West End's Trafalgar Studios in July 2007.
"A poisonously neat exposé of a vulture culture in which literature is a commodity rated not for its value but for its price. The actors are first-rate: riveting portraits of ruthless barrow boys of the soul." John Peter The Sunday Times
**** "An absorbing play." Benedict Nightingale THE TIMES
"An amusing clash of literary wills... All writers and would-be writers are bound to shudder in pained recognition." EVENING STANDARD
"A merciless two-hander." WHAT'S ON STAGE
"A stinging insight into the world of selling art. And possibly souls." LONDON THEATRE GUIDE
"The trials of a struggling author are a subject close to every playwright's heart, but don't necessarily make for an edifying evening's entertainment – what's so impressive about this piece is the way it refuses to take sides, drawing out both character's points of view in all their complexity. Steven's embittered insights never gain our affection any more than Alexander's commitment to good business. Their spiky exchanges are wonderfully alive with moments where the two mis/understand their differences.
Two terrific performances more than do justice to Martin Wagner's taut script. The Agent is a wonderful two-handed drama. It paints a relationship between its two characters that is full, lifelike and thoroughly theatrical – highly recommended!" Hugh Chapman - EXTRA! EXTRA
"Grippingly dark and achingly funny, at times The Agent reminds me very much of Ricky Gervais' and Stephen Merchant's hit comedy The Office, but not quite so straightforward. Martin Wagner has brought together an almost perfect representation of the subtle power-shifts that can occur between an artist and their agent... The audience were entranced by some powerhouse performances... There’s no excuse for not seeing this great new play." Luke Tudball - UK THEATRE REVIEWS
"An entertaining evening of theatre. The twists are neatly and effectively presented, and the tension of the final scene makes for gripping theatre." MY LONDON YOUR LONDON
"When the play enters a far more fantastical world it really takes off. And how it takes off. The second act is tense, funny, poignant." THE STAGE
"Very amusing and dark... fabulous twists and turns... really enjoyable with great performances and a wonderful set... A very good two-hander." RESONANCE FM
"An exceptionally well-crafted, intelligent and enjoyable exchange exploring the nature of being an artist in a contemporary capitalist society, where substance is often overlooked and talent unrewarded... Kennedy excels as the self-effacing artist straining against a system where the agent is the bridge to the publisher, and 'most writers can't swim'. Martin Wagner's debut play is impressive and entertaining. Here's a writer who can swim." Belinda Williams - ROGUES AND VAGABONDS
"The best play I've seen in months! Should go to the West End." Rob Frost - PREMIERE RADIO
"A neat two-hander." Dominic Cavendish - DAILY TELEGRAPH
"Perfectly timed… this neatly constructed work pleased its packed house well." HAM & HIGH
Frequently asked questions
When will the film be completed?
Shooting is due to start late November 2007, and we hope to complete the film in the spring of next year.
What is the total budget?
I'm afraid we're not telling. But it is low enough to make finance realistically achievable with a mixture of private investment and your sponsorship. And it is high enough to ensure top production values.
Why raise sponsorship in this way?
After producing the play at the Old Red Lion and in the West End, we feel we have a great team together who all are 100% committed to take this one step further. If we went for traditional ways of funding, it would start a long process of searching for investors which may take years with no guarantee of success. We just want to get this film done.
What if the film won't get made?
If the film doesn't get made, for whatever reason, you will receive a full refund of your sponsorship fee.
What happens once you have raised enough money?
We will close this offer and put up a notice on this page.
Can I get more than one screen credit?
Yes, you can have up to two names on the film - you will be contacted to confirm the names after we receive your sponsorship.
When will I get my book & DVD?
The book will be sent shortly after we receive your sponsorship, and the DVD will be sent once the film is competed, at the moment scheduled for next spring.
Where will the preview screening be?
It will be in a London cinema, venue to be advised. You will receive two tickets for the screening.
How will I be kept up-to-date?
All our sponsors will receive emails keeping them informed about the production.
Does my sponsorship include VAT?
Yes, the cost of sponsorship is £42.55 + £7.45 VAT.
What if I have any further questions?
Don't hesitate sending us an email or give us a call on 020-7737 6868.
Links
Click here for the book of the play, or the archived pages of the Trafalgar Studios run or the Old Red Lion run.
