Special performance by Paul Potts, the talent who inspired the film, before the screening

The premiere of One Chance, the true life story of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ winner, Paul Potts, will feature an exclusive live performance by the amazing opera singer before the film is screened to more than 500 invited guests. Hosted by Ster-Kinekor at its Cedar Square cinema complex in Fourways, the red-carpet occasion takes place on Thursday evening, 10 April.

Potts, from the UK, is visiting Johannesburg for the week as the special guest of Ster-Kinekor Entertainment to promote the film he inspired, and to attend the premiere. Guests will be treated to his wonderful singing voice as he performs Puccini’s ‘Nessun Dorma’, the famous aria that set him on his path to stardom.

From the director of The Devil Wears Prada, One Chance is the remarkable and inspirational true story of Paul Potts, a shy, bullied shop assistant by day and an amateur opera singer by night.  Paul became an instant YouTube phenomenon after being chosen by Simon Cowell for ‘Britain’s Got Talent.’  Wowing audiences worldwide with his phenomenal voice, Paul went on to win the competition, and the hearts of millions.

Fresh from celebrating his Tony Award-winning Broadway run in ‘One Man, Two Guvnors’, BAFTA winner James Corden (The History Boys) stars as Paul Potts and is supported by an acclaimed ensemble cast that includes Julie Walters (Mamma Mia!, Calendar Girls, Billy Elliot), Mackenzie Crook (The Pirates of the Caribbean), Colm Meaney (Get Him To The Greek), Jemima Rooper (Kinky Boots), Valeria Bilello (Pazze Di Me) and rising star Alexandra Roach (The Iron Lady).

Directed by David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada, Marley & Me, Hope Springs) and written by Justin Zackham (The Bucket List), One Chance is produced by Mike Menchel, Brad Weston, Kris Thykier (Kick-Ass, The Debt, I Give It a Year), Simon Cowell, and is executive produced by Bob and Harvey Weinstein.

On the night of June 9th 2007, a new television reality show called ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ went on air in the UK. On its first ever broadcast, a shy, unassuming man opened his mouth to sing the famous aria ‘Nessun Dorma’, from Puccini’s opera, “Turandot”, delivering a beautiful, stirring rendition that would change his life from that moment forward.

Swept up in the contagious emotion of Giacomo Puccini’s stunning aria, and the unlikely figure with crooked teeth and diluted confidence who had crooned it for them, the show’s three judges – Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan – stared in awe at what they had just witnessed, while the audience of 2,000 at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff erupted in a standing ovation.

Britain was instantly won over by Paul Potts, who was then working as a manager at the Port Talbot branch of The Carphone Warehouse, and followed him on his journey to becoming the first ever winner of the new talent show and, subsequently, a world-famous opera singer. Potts’ unanticipated vocal prowess didn’t stay confined to UK shores for long, blazing a scorched trail around the globe as news of his improbable audition went viral and millions watched it for themselves on YouTube.

But despite his own admission before going on stage that he was lacking in confidence, few knew the herculean effort it had taken for Potts to reach that point, and the trials, tribulations and monumental setbacks he had suffered along the way. As thrilling as Potts’ on-air success was to behold, it was the story leading up to his ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ appearance that the filmmakers of One Chancewanted to tell: the tale of a steelworker’s son from south Wales who fell in love with opera at an early age and, despite bullying, skepticism and physical hardship, never gave up on trying to achieve his dreams. And, by the way, it’s also a comedy!

The tale of how Paul goes from an everyman to a media sensation is a testament to the human spirit.

One Chance releases at Cinema Nouveau and select Ster-Kinekor cinemas onThursday, 17 April – a perfect family movie to enjoy over the long weekend. Bookings are open, and standard ticket prices apply (including the discounts and benefits afforded to members of the SK Club, Discovery Vitality and Edgars Club loyalty programmes).

To book tickets for One Chance and for more information, please visit:www.cinemanouveau.co.za | mobi-site: www.sterkinekor.mobi |Ticketline: 082 16789 (VAS rates apply) | Facebook: CinemaNouveau| Follow us on Twitter: @nouveaubuzz. Download the SK App for updates and to make bookings via your mobile phone.