Brit pic 'Swing' set to go

'Monty' breeds take-offs

By BENEDICT CARVER

"The Full Monty" is spawning its own genre of life-affirming comedies set in northern English cities: Tapestry Films and Kushner-Locke (K-L) have agreed to co-finance Nick Mead's "Swing," which stars "Monty" stripper Hugo Speer and pop singer Lisa Stansfield.

Set in Liverpool, "Swing" is the story of a group of listless, working-class men who decide to form their own swing band. Set in Sheffield, "Monty" was the story of a group of listless, working-class men who decide to form their own strip act.

"Swing," which begins shooting Tuesday, is written by Mead and produced by Louise Rosner ("The Last Time I Committed Suicide") and Su Lim. Tapestry and K-L co-own worldwide rights, with K-L handling international. Domestic is not yet set.

The worldwide success of "Monty" has electrified the market for music-themed, low-budget U.K. comedies. Last week TriStar Pictures acquired worldwide rights to the upcoming "Still Crazy," which chronicles the rise and fall of a fictional 1970s rock band.

Tapestry has made two other films with K-L: "Suicide" and Adam Rifkin's comedy "Denial." It produced Jim Abrahams' "Jane Austen's Mafia," which Buena Vista will release this summer. It is developing the teenage comedy "She's All That" for Miramax.

Tapestry partner Peter Abrams said that Tapestry, which is privately funded, is seeking an "cash infusion" with a view to financing three to four additional low-budget films per annum. An international sales division is also planned.