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Thursday, October 04, 2007 | 07:50
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A HOLLYWOOD film star who lives in Essex has given his local cinema a massive boost by arranging an exclusive preview of what promises to be one of the biggest films of the autumn.
Clive Owen is a keen supporter and official patron of the Electric Palace Cinema in Harwich - one of the oldest working cinemas in the UK.
He has now organised a preview screening of his upcoming film Elizabeth: The Golden Age at the Palace a week before it hits screens nationwide on November 2.
Mr Owen said: “I am delighted that people in Harwich will get this early showing of my latest film.”
The new film is a sequel to the 1998 multi-Oscar-nominated Elizabeth and stars Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush and Rhys Ifans.
It centres on the relationship between Queen Elizabeth I, played by Miss Blanchett, and Sir Walter Raleigh, portrayed by Mr Owen.
Elizabeth I, who reigned between 1558 and 1603, has various historic connections with East Anglia and visited the region on numerous occasions, spending time at grand country homes.
It is believed she stayed at Hedingham Castle, Essex and Suffolk's Melford Hall while some scenes in the new film were shot at Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire.
Directed by Shekhar Kapur, Elizabeth: The Golden Age has high hopes for Oscars and the Baftas nominations.
Peter Hadley, a member of the trust that runs the cinema, said: “The strong autumn programme has been boosted by an exclusive preview of Elizabeth: The Golden Age.
“Arranged personally by the film's star - and Palace patron - Clive Owen, demand is bound to be high for this showing a full week before its full theatrical release.”
Mr Owen has made several appearances at the cinema since becoming patron a year ago and recently organised a special double screening of Get Crater and Croupier, attended by legendary British director Mike Hodges.
Other events lined up for the autumn at the cinema include appearances by Georgie Fame, a special Terence Davies double bill and renowned jazzman and radio personality Humphrey Lyttelton and his band.
The showing of Elizabeth: The Golden Age is at 7.30pm on Friday October 26 and tickets are available now direct from the box office.
For more information, visit www.electricpalace.com.
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