Short Summary

Ivory Williams, a British-obsessed Southern debutante, has been captivated by the British way of life ever since her grandmother introduced her to it during Charles and Diana’s wedding. Her love for all things British extends to her favorite TV show, Downton Abbey. So, when her husband, Daniel, and their daughter Willow decide to surprise her with her very own live-in British Butler, Cook, and Ladies Maid, Ivory is over the moon.

Enter Boris, Madge, and Grace our British servant trio. Little do they know, they think they’re moving from London to New York. But as they sip their last cup of tea before their departure, they soon realize they’re actually headed to the deep American South – a quaint town in Georgia called Canton.

It’s a culture shock for the trio, to say the least. Will they be able to adapt to Southern living and charm the locals with their British flair? Only time will tell in this fish-out-of-water tale of British invasion in the heart of Dixie.

Sneak Peak

What We Need & What You Get

Here’s what we need: 

• $55,000 to cover actors, crew, costumes, food, distribution and promotion, editing, insurance, locations, lodging and travel. 
• We have some fun things for you!
  • $5 gets you a Canton Abbey “Stingy Git” sticker for your social media platforms to show you’re a valued supporter of Canton Abbey
  • $25 gets you a “Thank You Video” from Boris, Madge and Grace plus the Social Media sticker.
  • $50 will get you your very own “How-To” video from Boris making the perfect “cuppa” plus the “Thank You Video” and the Social Media Sticker.
  • $100 and you’ll be able to “Greet Like A Brit”!  This is your personalized voicemail greeting – have Boris, Madge or Grace record your outgoing voicemail greeting!  You’ll so oh so posh!  Plus everything in the previous levels.
  • $200 and you’ll be a “Premier Party Goer in Canton, GA” for the Pilot Premier Party at the history Canton Theatre.  You’ll get 2 tickets to the event, a photo with the cast, food and drink! PLUS everything in the previous levels.
  • $200 and you’ll be a “Premier Party Goer in Fort Collins, CO” for the Pilot Premier Party at the beautiful Bas Bleu Theatre.  You’ll get 2 tickets to the event, a photos with the cast, food and drink!  PLUS everything in the previous levels.
  • $1000 gets you a “Virtual Cameo” in the Pilot!  We will record you and you’ll be added to the Interview Scene so dust of your best OR worst British dialect “GOVENOR”!  PLUS everything in the previous levels.
  • $1000 gets you a “Walk On Cameo” in the Pilot!  If you live in or around Fort Collins we will get you into the perfect scene and you’ll be forever immortalized in the Canton Abbey Pilot! (you will have to provide your own transportation to and from set but we WILL feed you)
• If we fall short on our fundraising we will make some budgetary adjustments, supplement with some loose change we find in the sofa and make it happen!  We are DETERMINED for the world to see Canton Abbey! 

The Team

Clive Arnold – Director

BAFTA and RTS Award winning Director, recognized for his ability to produce outstanding performances across Episodic TV Drama. Known for his work on Eastenders, Coronation Street, Holby City, Emmerdale Farm and Holyoaks.

Sarah E Mitchell – Actor/Producer

Sarah is originally from Chesham in Buckinghamshire, UK. Her family emigrated to the US in 1996. We arrived with four suitcases and 26 boxes and a 4 year old little boy. She joined CenterStage North Theatre in Marietta, the same year and met Jeffrey in 1997 who was playing the telephone repair man in Barefoot In the Park while she was Stage Managing. Friends for 27 years have produced over 70 plays and musicals together. In 2011 Sarah moved to Singapore for 3 years and joined the local theatre company there and directed the Asia premiere of ALLO ALLO, a comedy with actors from around the world.  Sarah met Hannah on the set of Becoming Miss Bennett in Florence, South Carolina and became firm friends. Sarah is currently an Atlanta based Actor and VO Talent – check out her website www.britishvoicediva.com!

Hannah Whiteoak – Actor/Producer

Hannah is a native northern Lass, from Grantham, Lincolnshire, UK. She left a career of 10 years in film lighting, planned a wedding, packed up her entire home and shipped out to the States in a space of 8 weeks in 2015 to start her adventure as an Actor in Hollywood! She is now a professional Voiceover with a home studio, Actor and has been what we Brits call a bloody show-off since she was wee! As fate had it, Sarah and Hannah’s worlds collided on set in South Carolina and it’s been all giggles since then! Hannah is ecstatic to be involved in the creation of The Canton Abbey world. Here’s Hannah’s website for a bit more bunf on her work… hannahwhiteoak.com

Jeffrey Bigger – Actor/Producer

Jeffrey has been an actor on stage for many years and is now excited to jump from stage to screen with Canton Abbey. He and Sarah have been friends and producing shows for almost 30 years. The screen bug bit hard when he was working with Mavel Studios on the steaming series Hawkeye as an interpreter. It was during this time that Canton Abbey started to come to life and take shape. www.jeffreybigger.com

Rachel Turner – Writer

Rachel Turner is a freelance writer specializing in humor. She has been writing and hosting murder mystery parties in Atlanta for over 20 years with her company, Make it a Mystery. This requires her to carry a crime scene in her car at all times. While Canton Abbey is her first comedy series, she’s written several plays, more magazine articles and features than she can count and self-published a humor book. Canton Abbey has been an exciting project and she’s looking forward to building on her experience and laughing a lot.

The Impact

Canton Abbey is classic family comedy that is for everyone and that everyone can relate to.

• Everyone loves and needs to laugh these days.  We all need an escape and with your help we can get Canton Abbey out into the world and start the laughter.
• This project will be a real game changer for everyone involved, including you.  You are at the beginning of a new project that we know will have people tuning in and wanting more.  The Canton Abbey Pilot is just the beginning. 
• Our writer Rachel Turner has already written our first season. There are 6 more episodes after the Pilot just waiting to be seen.  Getting the Pilot made and in front of decision makers will make it possible for those episodes and bring these warm, funny and entertaining characters to life.  (Psst….she has also outlined a second season and has ideas for a third…so you see how this little pilot is just the beginning?)

Risks & Challenges

We know it’s a big ask and a lot of money.  But we want to do it right! 

• Sarah and Jeffrey have been working together for almost 30 years producing shows for live theatre so they know how to make things happen with little to no money.  They aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and do the hard work.  Add Hannah to this mix and there’s nothing this trio can’t accomplish.  You can be sure that your support will be well taken care of and appreciated. 
• Clive Arnold is a renowned and celebrated director from England and he brings his vast experience to the director chair for Canton Abbey.  With him leading the charge we know it will be an amazing show. 
• This is the first television script/series that Rachel Turner has written BUT  the “Canton Abbey – Pilot Script” she has written will steal the hearts of everyone that watches and will leave them wanting to see the rest of Canton Abbey Season 1 and Season 2. 
• We decided to film in Fort Collins because there is a big network of amazing theatre folks there and they are always eager to jump in and help out if needed.  This network will make it possible to stretch every dollar to be used in the best way possible. 

Other Ways You Can Help

We understand that it’s not possible for everyone to contribute money AND that’s ok!  We still need you to help us get the word out about Canton Abbey. 

• You can use your vast social media network to help us reach people that will love Canton Abbey.
• You can also use the Indiegogo share tools!
• We need you to help us out in any way you can.  It’s impossible