Northern Soul actress Claire Garvey enjoys escaping home to Derbyshire

Actress Claire Garvey may be a rising star in the film world - but one of her greatest pleasures is returning to her native Derbyshire.
Cllaire GarveyCllaire Garvey
Cllaire Garvey

“I head back to Chesterfield whenever I can,” she said. “I feel lucky to have family in such a beautiful part of the country, it’s the perfect escape from the pace of London.”

The capital is currently her focus where a film she has produced will be shown at the London Short Film Festival from January 9-18.

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Claire has been getting plenty of exposure in front of the camera. She was among the stars of hit film, Northern Soul last year. And as the leading lady in horror flick Parlor, she is looking forward to its release this year.

“To see Northern Soul doing so well has been great,” she said. “It sold out venues in the UK, had standing ovations and people up dancing in the aisles.

Claire played Betty in Northern Soul. “I had a complete image transformation for that role as my hair was cut into the bowl cut and my eyebrows were waxed off.”

New movie Parlor took her to Lithuania, where the film was shot, and to Los Angeles where it was shown in public for the first time. She said: “Its premiere at Screamfest (USA biggest horror festival) was fantastic.”

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Claire grew up in Walton and cut her acting teeth at the Springbank Centre and Chesterfield College. “I had quite a few jobs while I was growing up,” she said. “I started on a card stall on Chesterfield Market, then worked at Oliholpho on Chatsworth Road - it’s one of my first stops when I go home.”