Troubles over the Bridge – a memoir by honorary Queen's graduate, James Ellis 

28 November 2015

A special celebration was held at Queen’s McMordie Hall on Thursday 3 December to mark the launch of Troubles over the Bridge, a memoir written by former Queen’s student and Honorary Graduate, James Ellis.

The Ulster actor James Ellis, who died in 2014, starred as Bert Lynch in the BBC production Z Cars (much of which was broadcast live), and alongside a young Kenneth Branagh in BBC NI’s series of "Billy" plays, written by Queen’s graduate Graham Reid, as Billy’s father Norman Martin.

The former English, French and Philosophy student at Queen’s, received an Honorary Doctorate from the University in July 2008, as part of its centenary celebrations.

Troubles over the Bridge tells the story of how, in 1959, the Group Theatre in Belfast banned the production of Over the Bridge, Sam Thompson’s powerful portrayal of a sectarian dispute in Belfast’s shipyard. Ellis, who was then Artistic Director at the Group, resigned his position and, together with Thompson, staged the play in Belfast’s Empire Theatre to an audience of 42,000 people over seven weeks.

Since then, the production has played in Dublin, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Brighton and London’s West End, all following a trail blazed by Ellis.

Nearly 60 years on, Jimmy Ellis presents an account of the strong and well-orchestrated attempts to censor playwright Sam Thompson, in a narrative that is strewnwith Ellis’s recognisable and evocative language.

Speaking about Troubles over the Bridge Professor David Johnston of the School of Modern Languages at Queen's said: “This is a story that still resonates, the story of a moment when theatre was made to matter in a place where, sad to say, that hasn’t happened very often.

“And when Jimmy Ellis draws you into the heart of it all again, in his own inimitable voice and with his own quietly intense passion, you feel stirred and heartbroken in equal measure.”

Born into a shipyard family in 1931 during the Great Depression, James Ellis, better known as Jimmy, attended Methodist College in Belfast. His father, a sheet-metal worker in Harland and Wolff who worked on the Titanic, left Belfast with his family in pursuit of work. Ellis returned when the shipbuilding industry was rejuvenated but found himself following his passion into performing arts and directing.

Robina Ellis, Jimmy’s wife of almost 40 years, said: “The 1950s was possibly the most significant decade of the second half of the 20th century for drama on stage and film. At a rebellious time when America and England in particular were breaking boundaries with kitchen sink dramas and angry young men, the likes of John Osborne and Arthur Miller were to the forefront.  Here in Northern Ireland, Jimmy was on a mission, also trailblazing, on behalf of Sam Thompson's controversial play. The publication of his book, Troubles over the Bridge, is the most important public tribute and lasting memorial to Jimmy from me and our son, Toto."

Toto Ellis, himself a writer and producer, said: “Whilst my father was rightly proud of his acting career, it was in fact his early days as a director of which he was most proud. Specifically, his battle with Sam Thompson to stage Over the Bridge in the face of censorship. To have become Artistic Director of the Group Theatre, as the son of a sheet metal worker in 1950s Belfast, whilst still in his twenties, was a pretty remarkable achievement.

“Dad died without knowing his book would ever be published,” added Toto. “So this is a pretty special moment for us to be able to tell his story to the world. It's a fascinating read and it documents an incredibly important moment in Northern Ireland's history."

Troubles over the Bridge was funded through subscription, a fitting tribute to the high regard in which Ellis was held, with individuals financially sponsoring the publication of the book. All subscribers are mentioned and include well-known names such as former BBC Controller and Head of UTV Robin Walsh and Brian Garrett, Sam Thompson's literary executor over many years.

Published by Lagan Press, Troubles over the Bridge (ISBN: 9781908188557) is available through Lagan Press at www.laganpress.co and retailers including Easons and Waterstones as well as via Amazon.

Win a copy of Troubles over the Bridge!

Registered* graduates of Queen’s now have a chance to win a free copy of Troubles over the Bridge by sending the answer to the question below to alumni@qub.ac.uk not later than 5pm on Friday 11 December.

Name the character played by Jimmy Ellis in the ‘Billy’ plays?

*To register, go now to the Queen’s Development and Alumni Relations website - http://daro.qub.ac.uk/signup - and sign up!

Terms & conditions:

• Competition will close at 5pm on Friday 11 December 2015
• Entry is by emailing answer to competition question to alumni@qub.ac.uk; all entrants must be graduates registered on our online service
• The web editor’s decision is final
• No cash alternative will offered
• The winner will be advised by email on Monday 14 December and the result announced on Facebook that afternoon

For further information, images, high resolution copies of the cover, photos, excerpts or interviews please contact Siobhán McGuigan, Type AB, tel: 07825 337757

 

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