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Couple's 'surreal' night hosting film premiere party

Lynette HorsburghNorth West
Il Capitano handout Jay Wilson, with red hair and beard, Stephen Graham with brown hair and beard and Eve Smith with brown hair tied back pose outside the Bolina cocktail bar at night. The venue’s front windows reveal a warmly lit interior decorated with black draped fabric, pointed hat decorations, and mirrored disco balls. They are all smiling.Il Capitano handout
Jay Wilson and Eve Smith said they were thrilled to host the party for actor Stephen Graham (centre) and Hannah Walters

A couple have described as "surreal" finding themselves hosting a last-minute after-party for the premiere of a new film.

Hannah Walters, who is married to Kirkby-born actor Stephen Graham - was celebrating her first lead role in a new independent film Amazing Grace set, which had its first showing at the Plaza Community Cinema in Waterloo, Merseyside.

Jay Wilson and Eve Smith - owners of the nearby Il Capitano restaurant - said they were called by the cinema and asked if they could host the after-party.

"It was a whirlwind," Wilson said, while Smith added that "everyone was so down to earth".

The film was written by Liverpool writer-actor Daniel P. Lewis, who also performs in it, alongside This City Is Ours star James Nelson-Joyce.

The film tells the story of Walter, played by Lewis, a man on the brink of a mental health breakdown, who forms an unexpected bond with Grace, played by Walters, a volunteer on a crisis helpline.

ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock Stephen Graham with short brown hair wears a navy shirt and navy suit jacket. Hannah Walters on the right has shoulder-length blonde hair and waits a sheer black top and a string of pearls around her neck. ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
Stephen Graham and his wife Hannah Walters on the red carpet

Smith said the couple were stunned when they received a call from their friend Matt Owen, from the Plaza, asking if they could host a private party at about 11:00 GMT on the day of the premiere.

They set about organising the private party for Graham and Walters, their family and cast and crew, but had to keep it under wraps so the actors could enjoy their night in private.

Il Capitano handout Eve Smith, Daniel P. Lewis and Jay Wilson pose together inside a cocktail bar decorated with Halloween-themed black hanging witch hats and draped black fabric. Warm lighting and a mirrored disco ball illuminate the venue, while large windows reveal the night-time street outside. They are all smiling.Il Capitano handout
Eve Smith said Daniel P. Lewis's film Amazing Grace was "phenomenal"

Wilson, 43, said: "It was so surreal to see Stephen Graham in our restaurant. He's a national treasure."

Smith added: "Hannah is a gorgeous human being. You can see how much she cares for the cast and crew.

"She gave me the biggest hug."

She said it was incredible such "megastars had taken interest in their little neighbourhood pizzeria" and supported local businesses.

Dave Evans Daniel P. Lewis and Hannah Walters pose on a red carpet at a screening of their new film Amazing Grace in front of a black promotional backdrop displaying the text “Amazing Grace” and “Screenbound.” Lewis wears an all-black outfit, while Walters wears a long pink and black floral-patterned dress. They are both smiling.Dave Evans
Daniel P. Lewis said he wrote the character of Grace with only Hannah Walters in mind

Smith, 28, said: "It is a raw and intense film... and so real.

"It makes you realise how mental health is so important."

She added: "It was phenomenal."

She said there was an "amazing energy" at the event, which catered for about 70 guests.

"Everyone was so down to earth," she said.

Amazing Grace was released in UK cinemas on 6 November.

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