Wirral Life November 2017 | Page 8

IN BRIEF

FILM STARS DON ’ T DIE IN LIVERPOOL : THE TRAGIC LIFE OF GLORIA GRAHAME

MP ANGELA EAGLE ATTENDS WIRRAL BOOK FEST PREMIERE

Film Stars Don ’ t Die in Liverpool , directed by Paul McGuigan ( Sherlock , Lucky Number Slevin ) and starring Annette Bening ( American Beauty , 20th Century Women , The Kids Are All Right ) and Jamie Bell ( Billy Elliot , Jane Eyre , The Adventures of Tintin ), has opened cross the UK , with a launch event in Liverpool .

Based on Peter Turner ’ s memoir , the film follows the playful but passionate relationship between Turner ( Bell ) and the eccentric Academy Award ® -winning actress Gloria Grahame ( Bening ).

Liverpool , 1978 : What starts as a vibrant affair between a legendary femme fatale and her young lover quickly grows into a deeper relationship , with Turner being the person Gloria turns to for comfort . Their passion and lust for life is tested to the limits by events beyond their control . Gloria Grahame was a Hollywood leading lady at the heart of several hit films from the Golden Age of Hollywood , including The Big Heat , It ’ s a Wonderful Life , In a Lonely Place , and Oklahoma ! She won the Academy Award ® for Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Bad and the Beautiful .

Film Stars Don ’ t Die in Liverpool , also stars Julie Walters ( Brooklyn , Paddington ), and Vanessa Redgrave ( Atonement , Foxcatcher ), with Kenneth Cranham ( Maleficent , Layer Cake ), Stephen Graham ( This is England , Taboo ), Frances Barber ( Medici , Mr . Holmes ), and Leanne Best ( Line of Duty , Undercover ) rounding out a stellar British cast . The film was produced by Barbara Broccoli ( Spectre , Skyfall ) and Colin Vaines ( Gangs of New York , Coriolanus ) with a screenplay written by BAFTA winner Matt Greenhalgh ( Control , Nowhere Boy ), and was shot on location in Liverpool and London , and at Pinewood Studios .

The picture was co-financed by Eon Productions and IM Global , with Stuart Ford , Zygi Kamasa , Paul McGuigan , and Michael G . Wilson on board as Executive Producers .

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Member of Parliament for Wallasey , Angela Eagle , was the guest of honour at one of the highlights of the recent Wirral Book Fest , when she attended the world première of ‘ Tessimond ’ s Cats & Fiddles ’ at Wallasey Village Library .

Written and performed by local songwriter Dean Johnson , the new musical biography celebrates one of Wirral ’ s greatest poets . Arthur Seymour John Tessimond was born in Claughton Village in 1902 . His poems were little known in his lifetime , but were rediscovered in the 1970s , and have become acclaimed and influential . Tessimond was educated at Birkenhead School , and later attended Liverpool University . His work was a huge influence on the Mersey Poets , especially Brian Patten , who proclaims Tessimond as his own poetic hero . Dean Johnson ’ s musical adaptation of Tessimond ’ s life and work completes a trilogy of local icons which have included war poet Wilfred Owen ( Bullets and Daffodils ), and George Mallory and Sandy Irvine ( Icepicks and Violets ). Speaking after the well-received debut of his latest effort , Dean said , “ I ’ m very proud to be part of the Wirral Libraries Book Fest . The Friends of Wallasey Village Library do such a wonderful job of keeping the place alive and vibrant , with something for every age group – it ’ s inspiring ; and to perform Tessimond ’ s words here in front of Wallasey ’ s Member of Parliament made it very special .” For more information , call 07539 371925 .

LIVERPOOL INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW

Entering its third year , the equestrian . com Liverpool International Horse Show will again be held at Liverpool ’ s Echo Arena and runs from Friday 29th to Sunday 31st

December . Setting the bar for equestrian events , some of the world ’ s finest riders , including Olympians and Global sports stars , will compete for the ultimate Grand Prix Liver Bird Show Jumping trophy . For more information , visit www . liverpoolhorseshow . com .