Band of brothers
Pop fans are in for a treat with this new film, written, directed by and featuring Rhys Thomas, the man behind spoof rock star Brian Pern.
It stars Spandau Ballet’s Gary and Martin Kemp, but unlike the unintentionally hilarious 2018 Bros documentary, here the brothers are in on the gag – sending themselves up with the help of a host of showbiz names.
Gary said: “I was excited about the idea from the beginning. It’s me, but a more heightened version of Gary Kemp.”
One of Rhys’s first ideas was to have Martin, who is married to singer Shirlie Holliman, married to her bandmate Pepsi as well. He said: “Why have one wife when you can have two? It’s double the fun.”
Shirlie was happy to try acting but when they improvised a scene where Martin admits he gets on better with Pepsi, leading to a furious row, it all got too much.
Martin said: “Everything I was saying she was really taking on board and taking to heart. I could see tears in her eyes.”
Gary added: “I heard these raised voices and thought, ‘I don’t think this is in the script. Martin and Shirlie are having a blazing row’ It did look convincing, I have to say.”
The comedy storylines include Martin trying to raise funds for a film, The Hardest B ******* in the Galaxy, with Daniel Mays and Christopher Eccleston popping up.
And Gary appears on Saturday Kitchen, launching a fake meat brand, Wonge, with his wife, played by Anna Maxwell Martin.
Gary said: “That was a thrill, Anna is a proper posh actress.”
The laughs come thick and fast, but Martin is adamant it’s not the real Kemps.
He said: “If anyone takes it seriously, they need looking at.”