Melissa Simmonds
Melissa Simmonds is an English actress and producer. She has worked on such series as Rockliffe's Babies', and produced a variety of features, including A Caribbean Dream (2017) and Division 19 (2017).
Life and Career
Melissa Simmonds was born in Essex, England. In 1983, she was accepted into RADA, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and moved to London, England.[1] While there, she took on many roles, including working as an actress, casting assistant, and Theatre and Film Producer. In 1991, she married actor Joe McGann with whom she worked on the television series, Rockcliffe's Babies, in 1987. They had one daughter together - Charlotte McGann - before they divorced in 1993. [2]
In the early 1990s, she visited Barbados where she made a home for herself. In 2007, she founded the Gale Theatre of London and Barbados, "the non-profit, charitable organization... [that] allows rich Caribbean talent to merge with UK expertise to create exceptional, high-quality works."[3]
Currently, she is a director of the UK and Caribbean Film Development, a British company developing films to unite both regions.[4][5] In an interview with her and Shakirah Bourne - the director of A Caribbean Dream (2017) - Simmonds says "I have lived in both countries all [of] my life and I love uniting the talent but only where I feel I have to."[6] In 2017, she was the producer, writer, and casting director of the film A Caribbean Dream (2017) which combined British and Barbadian actors, cultures, and styles into the Shakespearean adaptation of "A Midsummer Night's Dream". When discussing it, she said: "I am not sure I would have switched from theatre if I had known what film entailed; it’s been a very humbling experience, but it’s great to see veteran Barbadian actor Patrick Michael Foster as mischievous Puck on the big screen, and young Bajan’s like Jherad Alleyne and Keshia Pope switch skills so naturally from theatre to camera. I hope other casting directors pick up on their and the Barbadian actors talent in general. There is a pool of talent in Barbados for them to cast from." [7]
Filmography
Actress [8] [9]
- Genie in the House - as Panelist (TV Series) - 2006
- Casualty (TV Series) - as Mrs. Raymond - 1997
- Dangerfield (TV Series) - as Deborah Bishop - 1996
- The Bill (TV Series) - as Trina/Woman at Party - 1989-1996
- Clockwork Mice - as CID - 1995
- Menace Unseen (TV Mini-Series) - as Gail - 1988
- American Playhouse (TV Series) - as Alice Barham - 1988
- Inspector Morse (TV Series) - as Valerie Craven - 1988
- Lizzie's Pictures (TV Mini-Series) - as Angie - 1987
- Rockcliffe's Babies (TV Series) - as Belinda Eisner - 1987
Producer
- Looted (Exec. Producer) - 2018
- Division 19 (Exec. Producer) - 2017
- A Caribbean Dream (Producer) - 2017
- Jacked (Short)(Assoc. Producer) - 2015
- Bigga Than Ben (Assoc. Producer) - 2008
Casting Director
- A Caribbean Dream - 2017
- Bigga Than Ben - 2008
Writer
- A Caribbean Dream (Concept By) - 2017
Thanks
- Clockwork Mice (Special Thanks)[5]
References
- ↑ "Melissa Simmonds Profile". RADA.
- ↑ "Joe McGann & Melissa McGann". Fame Chain.
- ↑ "The Gale Theater". Go Barbados.
- ↑ "UK & CARIBBEAN FILM DEVELOPMENT". UK & Caribbean Film Development.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Melissa Simmonds IMDb". IMDb.
- ↑ "FEATURETTE WITH MELISSA SIMMONDS AND SHAKIRAH BOURNE". Zeitgeist Entertainment Magazine.
- ↑ ""Barbadian Film opens in UK cinemas"". Nation News.
- ↑ "Melissa Simmonds Filmography". BFI.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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