An astonishing musical movie based on the disappearance of schoolgirl Shannon Matthews that horrified the nation is set to be released next month.
Dark comedy group K*** and the Gang sold out a four-week run of ‘Shannon Matthews: The Musical’ at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2022.
Now, a film based on the show will been released by the brazen singer-song writers with tracks such as ‘Shannon Ain’t Dead (She’s under me bed)’, ‘You’re A Paedophile’ and ‘Karen Calls The Maddie Hotline’.
Shannon’s kidnapping was part of a money-grabbing plan hatched by her mother Karen Matthews with her co-conspirator Michael Donovan, 54, keeping nine-year-old in his council flat for 24 days.
Police eventually found Shannon in the drawer of a divan bed a few miles from her home estate in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, where she went missing on February 19, 2008.
Police eventually found S in the drawer of a divan bed a few miles from her home estate in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, where she went missing on February 19, 2008.
The film is based on the true story of the faked abduction of nine-year-old Shannon Matthews, who was reported missing in 2008. After a major search, the schoolgirl was found hidden in the base of a bed in a grotty flat just a mile away from her home in Dewsbury, West Yorks. It transpired that her mum Karen Matthews had planned the whole thing with Michael Donovan – her then partner’s uncle – in a bid to split £50,000 reward money.
Pictured: Samantha Hindman plays Karen Matthews in musical movie based on the shocking disappearance of schoolgirl Shannon Matthews
The film will have songs such as ‘Shannon Ain’t Dead (She’s under me bed)’, ‘You’re A Paedophile’ and ‘Karen Calls The Maddie Hotline’
A post on the filmmakers website says ‘it’s taken f*****g ages but hopefully all the work and waiting has been worth it’.
The film, which will be available to stream on November 15, has a 9 out of 10 rating on IMDB.
One fan wrote: ‘I can honestly say this was the funniest film I have ever seen.
‘I was lucky enough to watch it at the premiere and I cannot wait to see it again. The acting, singing and the detail of the sets were brilliant.’
Another added: ‘The film really brought the story to life and gave the audience a clear insight into the characters.
‘Despite the daft subject matter- the film was well researched, well acted and well produced.’
K**t and the Gang’s film description reads: ‘West Yorkshire’s worst case of absolute stupidity is brought to the silver screen for the very first time. You can now split your sides at a comedy, about a drama, that once split the population of Dewsbury.’
However, the group, who infamously tried to launch their foul-mouthed jingle ‘Boris Johnson is a f*****g c**t’ to the top of the UK Christmas Singles chart, have faced fierce criticism over production.
Its most outspoken critics include Dewsbury’s Tory MP Mark Eastwood, who helped in the search for missing Shannon in 2008, and local Labour councillor Mussarat Pervaiz who blasted the show’s trivialisation as ‘disgusting’.
Dewsbury West Councillor Ammar Anwar has said the musical is ‘bang out of order’ and ‘should have never been allowed’.
He said: ‘Just imagine being that poor girl Shannon Matthews, and re-living the ordeal all over again.
‘I think they are cruel and sadistic movements for her to live again.
‘I think people should let her move on in life, and let her forget about what happened in the past.’
Janet Ayre posted on Facebook: ‘This is a sick joke, why would anyone make a musical about anything so horrendous?
‘Further, why would anyone in their right minds go to see it?’
K**t and the Gang describe the musical as ‘a fictional representation based on research from previous media publications.’
The group have previously sold t-shirts that say ‘Have you seen Shannon Matthews the musical’ on, with a cartoon picture of Shannon.
Nine-year-old Shannon was kidnapped by Matthews and Donovan, who planned to generate money from the publicity in 2008.
They had planned for Donovan to release Shannon at Dewsbury Market, ‘discover her’, and then take her to a police station and claim a £50,000 reward.
K**t and the Gang describe the musical as ‘a fictional representation based on research from previous media publications’
Pictured: The film will depict detectives efforts to find the schoolgirl who was hidden in the base of a bed in a grotty flat just a mile away from her home in Dewsbury
A post on the filmmakers website says ‘it’s taken f*****g ages but hopefully all the work and waiting has been worth it’
Nine-year-old Shannon was kidnapped by Matthews and Donovan, who planned to generate money from the publicity in 2008
The double bed base where schoolgirl Shannon Matthews was found hiding. This image was shown by the prosecution as evidence during a trial at Leeds Crown Court in 2008
Matthews is pictured in March 2008 holding her daughter’s favourite teddy bear as she feigned an emotional appeal for her safe return
After a major search, the schoolgirl was found hidden in the base of a bed in a grotty flat just a mile away from her home in Dewsbury.
On December 4, 2008, mother-of-seven Karen and Donovan were found guilty of kidnapping, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.
Both were sentenced at Leeds Crown Court to eight years behind bars.
The film will be available to stream on Amazon, iTunes and Google Play and there are also seven live shows planned for December across the UK from York to London.
