One shop front was transformed into Cafe Nollendorfplatz while posters pasted to street walls advertised the Volksfest (carnival) 1933 and Deutschland Ernacht.

The sparkling sunshine lent authenticity to the continental set-up which was created for the filming of Christopher and His Kind, a BBC TV dramatisation of the life of English writer Christopher Isherwood, who, among his works, penned a collection of short stories entitled Goodbye to Berlin, which inspired the famous musical Cabaret.

The lead role is played by Doctor Who actor Matt Smith who looked as though he had been through a time machine as he was spotted wearing a dapper three-piece suit.

For those who missed out on the spectacle, the Mammoth Screens film crew will be shooting in a number of other prime Belfast locations over the coming weeks, including the Scottish Mutual Building and the City Hall, where they will stage the infamous Nazi book burnings.

Unionist councillors opposed filming at the City Hall, with DUP representative David Rodway arguing that it was unnecessary in this age of digital technology when the banners could be digitally added during production.

"If I was a member of the Jewish community and happened to be walking past while the banners were displayed, and they also plan to stage a burning of books in the courtyard, I would be horrified," he said.

But opposition to the filming – which will see Nazi banners draped down the side of City Hall – was defeated and the production company retained permission to film there.