Living - Bill Nighy

Pianoz.com was proud to supply a piano for the acclaimed film Living, starring Bill Nighy. Set in 1950s London, the film follows a reserved civil servant who, after receiving life-changing news, embarks on a journey to find meaning and joy in his remaining time. One of the film's most moving moments takes place in a traditional London pub, where the lead character sings a moving song for the customers. To create the perfect atmosphere for this pivotal scene, the production's art department visited the Pianoz.com warehouse in search of an instrument with exactly the right character and history.

After inspecting a number of pianos, the team became captivated by one particular upright piano that most people would have overlooked. The instrument had recently been taken in from a customer upgrading to a modern grand piano and was in poor condition, with significant mechanical issues that meant it was destined for recycling. Despite its condition, the piano possessed an authentic period appearance and a unique sense of character that immediately caught the attention of the filmmakers. Rather than selecting a more pristine example, the production team commissioned us to restore the piano and prepare it for its starring role on screen.

With filming dates approaching, our workshop spent an intensive week bringing the instrument back to life. The action was repaired and regulated, essential components were replaced, and the piano was carefully tuned and stabilised to ensure it could perform reliably on location. What had been a forgotten piano awaiting disposal was transformed into a fully playable instrument once again. The restored piano was then delivered to the filming location in Hampstead, London, where it became part of one of the most memorable and emotional scenes in the film. It remains one of our favourite examples of how a piano's story can continue in unexpected ways, with an instrument saved from the scrap heap ultimately finding a place in a major motion picture.