There will be an exclusive preview screening of a movie tipped for Oscar glory in Welwyn Garden City this weekend – more than a month before the film goes on general release.

The Favourite starring Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone can be seen at the Campus West cinema on Saturday, November 24 at 7pm.

This is more than a month before Yorgos Lanthimos’ historical period drama goes on general release in the UK on January 1, 2019.

Winner of the Grand Special Jury Prize at the 2018 Venice Film Festival and the Gotham Special Jury Award for Ensemble Performance, the movie is brought to Welwyn Hatfield by Welwyn Garden City Cinema, in association with Herts Archive and Local Studies.

Historian Dr Ruth Herman will set the scene with a short talk before the film on Queen Anne’s favourite, the Duchess of Marlborough, whose letters are kept at Hertfordshire Archives.

The real-life Sarah Churchill, the Duchess of Marlborough, was born in St Albans.

She is played by Oscar winner Rachel Weisz in the film, which centres on the love triangle between the three lead characters.

Broadchurch actress Olivia Colman is expected to get an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Queen Anne, while La La Land star Emma Stone plays servant Abigail, who replaces the Duchess of Marlborough as the Queen’s favourite.

The Favourite was extensively filmed at Hatfield House last year, with the Marble Hall, the Long Gallery and the Hertfordshire stately home’s gardens among the locations used.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYb-wkehT1g

Set in early 18th century, England is at war with the French.

Nevertheless, duck racing and pineapple eating are thriving in Queen Anne’s court.

A frail Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) occupies the throne and her close friend Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz) governs the country in her stead while tending to Anne’s ill health and mercurial temper.

When a new servant Abigail (Emma Stone) arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah.

She takes her cousin under her wing and Abigail sees a chance at a return to her aristocratic roots.

As the politics of war become quite time consuming for the Duchess of Marlborough, Abigail steps into the breach to fill in as the Queen’s close companion.

Their burgeoning friendship gives her a chance to fulfil her ambitions – and she will not let woman, man, politics or rabbit stand in her way in this bawdy comedy featuring strong language.

The Favourite also stars Taylor Swift’s boyfriend Joe Alwyn as Masham, Sherlock’s Mark Gatiss as Lord Marlborough and Nicholas Hoult.

Following the Campus West screening there will be an informal Q&A with Ruth Herman and the audience.

All tickets for the screening cost £15 – there are no discounts as this is a special exclusive screening.

For more, visit www.cwentertainment.co.uk

The Favourite will go on general release in the UK on January 1 having already opened at selected cinemas in America.