A FILM shot in the Settle area and starring many well-known local faces will be premiered in the town.

Titled "Quietus", the film is produced and directed by former Settle High School teacher Peter Huby.

Set in the 17th century, it is loosely based on the dark tragedy "The Duchess of Malfi". It follows a group of players travelling through the North of England where they are performing John Webster's classic work.

As they travel through the Dales their lives begin to mirror the play and the two narratives cross over. The story involves a young widow hounded to death by her own brother.

Claire Beresford, a recent graduate in performing arts and a former student of Settle High School, plays the persecuted sister and John Midgely, a Bentham builder, plays her brother.

Many Settle High School teachers are also involved in the project, including headteacher Trevor Wear.

Interior shots were filmed at Hardhead Farm, near Rathmell, courtesy of Andrew and Alison Holgate and a graveyard was also mocked up at the farm.

Exterior material was shot in the Forest of Bowland, at the top of Keasden.

Fran Challis, of Settle High School, made several of the period costumes while period shoes and boots were made under the supervision of Settle bootmaker Daniel Nelson.

Peter Huby said: "The interesting thing about it was to use a mix of people who haven't had professional theatrical experience with professional actors from Lancaster.

"The large cast was made up of local actors, amateur and professional. Four cavalry troopers from the English Civil War Society were also involved. I am delighted with the project."

Peter says the film is unlikely to be distributed commercially, but will be shown on the film festival/film society circuit.

It will be premiered at the Drill Hall, Settle, at 8pm next Saturday (August 24).

It will also be a chance for the cast to say farewell to Peter and his wife Linda, head of performing arts at Settle High School, who are spending a year abroad.

While at Settle, Peter made several educational films involving pupils and after leaving the school in 1997 made a film about Ofsted.

He went on to obtain £8,000 funding from the National Production Fund to make "Orpheus" in 1999 and last year secured the funding for "Quietus".

He has also just completed a film about the "Corpse Way" through Swaledale for English Heritage.

It depicts how mourners would carry the coffins 16 miles to Grinton, as there was no consecrated ground in Swaledale.