Actor, director, writer and more James Ellis was born in March 1931 and died in March 2014. Here's a memory from me.
I was more than delighted that James Ellis's account of Northern Ireland theatre's great story of arts versus heels-dug-in, stubborn, agenda-driven authority was finally launched.
Troubles Over The Bridge, published in 2015 by Lagan Press at £9.99, is still available, I believe, and, in my opinion it is essential reading for anyone in any sphere of life who is involved in a David and Goliath confrontation. Anyone in the world of theatre or wider show business would do well to read it.
I am from Belfast, born and raised until, at 22, and I left to pursue a career in retail management. I have always been attracted to creative arts from my home town and, of course, I knew a lot about James Ellis's work. I met him in July 2010. We were contributing to a BBC TV documentary on the life and work of the film star Stephen Boyd. Jimmy and Stephen were friends, although, as actors, they never worked together.
From the moment I shook hands with Jimmy in the lobby of a London hotel, I felt comfortable that we were friends from that moment on. His conversation and his interest in me were apparent from the start. I was starstruck.
Jimmy was very encouraging, urging me to develop my archive on Stephen Boyd into a book. He told me that when the book was close to reality he would like to write a foreword. In a gesture of graciousness and generosity he did just that and I will be forever grateful.
As a thank you for the foreword I took Jimmy and his lovely wife Robina to lunch at a pub near to their home in Lincolnshire. It happened to be Jimmy's 82nd birthday, which made it a bit more special. I think we opted for fish and chips. Robina and I stuck to mineral water and the birthday boy had a large glass of the vino - and why not?
Jimmy told me about his frustrations that his "Over the Bridge" book was being delayed at the publisher. This was 2010. He said that he really wanted the book to be published in his lifetime. Sadly, that was not to be.
After the birthday lunch, we went back to the Ellis home for coffee. Jimmy presented me with a copy of his poetry book Domestic Flight with an inscription - "For my dear friend and fellow Belfastman Joe Cushnan, with fondest wishes Jimmy Ellis". Gulp.
Just before his 83rd birthday, I contacted Robina to see if we could meet again for another birthday celebration. Sadly, it was not to be as Jimmy was in hospital, shortly to pass away.
But, after persistence by Robina and son Toto and the support of several sponsors, Troubles Over The Bridge by James Ellis was finally with us.
After reading it and hearing, in my head, Jimmy Ellis narrating it, it is a phenomenal story of guts that ended up having rewards and consequences.
It was a pleasure and a privilege to attend the book's launch in Belfast and to meet Robina again and her son Toto. I wished the book every success and urge anyone who remembers James Ellis or who wants to understand a strange period in Ulster Theatre history or who enjoys both serious and lighthearted anecdotes to buy this book and savour it.
RIP Jimmy.
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