Could Twickenham win a reprieve?

Stars join campaign to save stricken studio.

by Jennie Kermode

Steven Spielberg, Colin Firth and Julie Walters are among the stars lending their support to a campaign to save the threatened Twickenham Studios. And now, two weeks after the deadline for local objections closed, local MP Vince Cable has agreed to press the matter with Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

The government has previously said that it is unable to intervene in the Twickenham case but ongoing pressure, including protests from actors' union Equity and London MEP Mary Honeyball, may yet change that. A petition to save the studio, which produced films like Blade Runner and The Italian Job, has amassed over 4,000 signatures.

"It would be such a tragedy to lose this wonderful studio that has facilitated many wonderful films over the years," said actor Dougray Scott, whilst Michael Palin argued "With demand for studio space in London and UK film-making skills at an all-time high, this seems entirely the wrong time to close Twickenham."

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