Film actor Denise Black, who grew up in Portsmouth, will talk about how music can help relieve depression at a screening event on Thursday November 7. Peter Gruner reports.
She’ll speak on behalf of the Southsea based charity, Tonic Music for Mental Health, prior to the showing of her new film The Last Tree at the independent No6 Cinema.
In the film Denise plays foster mum to a British-Nigerian boy whose happy childhood is suddenly uprooted when he moves from the English countryside to inner city London. The semi-autobiographical film is told with compassion in writer director Shola Amoo’s profoundly moving drama.
Denise said, ‘I’m so proud of the film. I’m sure many will recognise aspects of their own lives. As well as talking about it on the evening it is being shown at No6, I will also be raising support and money for Tonic, one of my favourite charities.
‘I know, for example, that singing can make me feel happy. And Tonic explores the many ways that music, including workshops, gigs, choirs and community projects, can help people experiencing mental health problems.’
Denise, who attended Portsmouth High School for Girls, is probably best known as siren hairdresser Denise Osbourne in Coronation Street, a role she played from 1992 to 1996, with a comeback in 2007.
She has also had leading roles in Emmerdale and Bad Girls. She is especially recognised for her portrayal of Hazel in Russell T Davies’ iconic Channel 4 series Queer as Folk.
The Last Tree is being shown at No6 Cinema in Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard on Thursday November 7. The evening begins at 7pm.
Tickets available here
Contact: Malisa Chafer 07932 146936 No6 Cinema
Image used with the kind permission of the producers of The Last Tree.
