» Celebcity: Brighton Rock, Cheryl Cole and Cynthia Payne
Jo Brooks on the Brighton Rock remake, Cheryl Cole dressing (not) to kill, and the infamous Madam who dropped in for a drink
Gangster’s Paradise
BBC Films are remaking the classic film Brighton Rock. The original film, based on the novel of the same name by Graham Greene, was set in Brighton in 1947 – but this new version is set in 1964 against the backdrop of Mods and Rockers.
The lead role of Pinkie the villain, brilliantly played in the original by Sir Richard Attenborough, will now be undertaken by Sam Riley, who starred as Joy Division’s Ian Curtis in the film Control. His girlfriend will be played by Andrea Riseborough.
Joining him is a stellar cast including Oscar-winner Dame Helen Mirren, who plays amateur detective Ida Arnold, and the star of My Left Foot, Pete Postlethwaite, who plays Brighton gangster Phil Corkery.
But I guess the real star of the film is the backdrop of our city of Brighton and Hove. In the original we saw a very misty Brunswick Square, Brighton racecourse, and Brighton Pier.
The new version will be directed by Rowan Joffe, who co-wrote the film 28 Weeks Later. Filming is due to start in October, and budding actors and star spotters should look out for the ads asking for local extras.
Cole’s got vegan sole
Brighton based on-line vegan shoe and bag boutique Neon Collective has a new celebrity customer – none other than Girls Aloud Geordie and X Factor judge, Cheryl Cole.
The stylish fashionista has been spotted in a truly fabulous pair of vegan heels
by one of the web boutique’s stocked brands – the animal-friendly label Sui.
Cheryl owns the Saphire shoe, a pair of killer heels without the kill! Cheryl has carved out a name for herself as a bit of a style and trend-setter, and has voiced her views on buying ethical products – good to see you are putting your money where your mouth is Cheryl!
If you want to have a gander at the full range of vegan shoes and bags hot from the catwalk then log on to www.neoncollective.com
Cyn City
Drinking at The Grosvenor pub (a good old traditional boozer)
in Western Street on Bank Holiday Monday was ex-Madam Cynthia Payne.
For those of you who are too young to remember, Cynthia caused quite a stir in the ‘70s and ‘80s running an infamous brothel in Streatham, South London.
Her life has been made into not one but two films. The first was Wish You Were Here, which launched actress Emily Lloyd’s career. Emily played the young Cynthia, who was brought up in Worthing. Cynthia’s later life story was depicted by Julie Walters in the brilliant film Personal Services, which gave a full-on insight into the day-to-day life and struggle of being a Madam.
Cheers Cynthia, glad to see you are still having a drink in Sussex, although I’m a bit perturbed to have just found out that my hubby has a signed photo of you from the ‘80s!
Spotted!
Ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, driving a blue convertible Bentley in the Sussex harbour town of Chichester.
