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Tulip farm stars in Hollywood blockbuster Wicked

PA Media A drone image of a field of tulips which appear as candy-striped lines of red, pink, green, yellow and orange.PA Media
The tulip farm has opened for the past few years to raise money for a hospice

A tulip field that enchants visitors each year with its bursts of colour will wow film-goers after its nine million blooms played a starring role in a Hollywood blockbuster.

Belmont Nurseries, near King's Lynn, Norfolk, raises thousands of pounds for charity each spring by offering people the chance of the perfect selfie.

A "viral" video of the candy-coloured display was spotted by the director of Wicked, Jon M. Chu, who wanted a genuine tulip field in his Wizard of Oz origin story.

"I still pinch myself that we got involved," said owner Mark Eves.

EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock Ariana Grande in a creamy yellow chiffon dress and Cynthia Erivo in a black velvet dress, long gloves and hat at the premiere of Wicked.EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo star opposite each other in the new film

He and wife Susanne met a location manager and set designer in 2022 and set about meticulously planning the look of the field for the movie, which opens in cinemas on Friday.

The tulips form a backdrop to Munchkinland, with characters running through the spectacular blooms.

"It all seemed very simple to start with, as we do the field every year, but when you realise the patterns and colours and order they wanted, with nine million bulbs, it was a lot of organisation," said Mr Eves.

"I was very nervous that we got the right colours in the right place - but it came right in the end."

Mark Eves Film crew in a field of yellow tulips, surrounded by various filming equipment including a camera and small trailer. A woman in period costume is in the centre of the image, holding an umbrellaMark Eves
Hundreds of people took part in filming, the couple said

'Cameras all over the place'

The 25-acre site transformed into its own "village" for filming last year, with more than 400 people on set, explained Mrs Eves.

"They were everywhere, with minibuses moving people from the dressing room to the canteen, people running over the field and cameras all over the place," she added.

She even got the chance to appear in the film as an extra in Munchkinland, describing the experience as "surreal" and "fascinating".

"I'm a huge musicals fan and had seen [the stage version]," she said.

"It puts the Wizard of Oz in a totally different light, and it's a great film."

Mr Eves added: "I've never had security stopping me getting to one of my fields before - it was quite intriguing.

"It was a really big team, and it was a sight to see.

"I think we did our best and it came out well."

John Fairhall/BBC Susanne Eves, with brown hair and spectacles, standing next to Mark Eves, with grey hair, wearing a navy jacket.John Fairhall/BBC
Susanne and Mark Eves said they were proud to play a part in the blockbuster
Listen: 9 million tulips were planted to create Munchkinland for the movie adaptation of ‘Wicked’

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