Jess McConnell, who runs the Walter Street Albion Gin and Ale House, says he set about creating the light entertainment productions since he has once again found himself with “a lot more spare time than usual”, having been unable to open his venue for a number of months.
The first installment in what has become Mr McConnell’s ‘lockdown trilogy’ – entitled ‘Covid: the untold story’ – was made during the first national lockdown last year.
It was followed in November by a similarly quirky production, ‘Jarrow 2036’, which he described as both a ‘futurist humourous vision’ and a ‘potted history of Jarrow’.
Most Popular
-
1
Where is the cheapest petrol in South Tyneside? Eight stations to fill up at across the borough on August 16
-
2
Jet2 unveils new winter sun flights from Newcastle Airport - where you can go and how to book
-
3
Win tickets as well as food and drink vouchers to see top George Michael tribute Rob Lamberti at Stack Seaburn
-
4
Best food in Gateshead? Review of Träkol as it dishes up food with flair
-
5
South Shields brick company experiences record-breaking year
This tongue-in-cheek short film pokes fun at the past 11 months’ succession of government-imposed Covid restrictions and rules - with Mr McConnell starring as a mock newsreader - before ending on a montage of older and more recent news footage.
Besides its charismatic lead, the film also features the pub’s manageress, Charlotte Wilkinson.
As of early Thursday, February 25, the latest video had picked up more than 13,000 views via the pub’s Facebook page, according to the pub boss.
“Most of this one we actually filmed on a phone,” Mr McConnell said.
"We had a lot of fun making it – you can hear Charlotte struggling to contain herself during the filming. I have to say, I was also trying to contain my laughter when we were filming.
"It’s really just something silly and fun to help us and our customers get through what we hope is the final lockdown period.”