Liverpool-born MATTHEW GEORGE WALSH, 47, from Frodsham, Cheshire, is hoping to be signed by Los Angeles agents whose attention he has attracted through his groundbreaking projects. The former mental health nurse, who only began acting professionally in 2018, is also about to shoot his latest movie, Semolina Pilchard in which he multi-tasks as Producer, Executive Producer and Cast!
He has already sold one movie which he produced and performed in, called ‘A Light Through Coloured Glass’ with award-winning St Helen’s director Mike Clarke and Half Sun Entertainment Ltd. This film will be distributed by Allen Media in North America,
His upcoming film by writers Mike Clarke & Daina Smith is also directed by Mike with his established team of cast and crew, filming in Liverpool and locally in Frodsham – handy for the commute and supporting its wonderful independent businesses and charities.
Semolina Pilchard is a comedy crime drama, filmed in iconic Liverpool locations with an original soundtrack of local well known musicians and huge bands from across the decades.
“We have been extremely keen from the start to offer roles to both new up-and-coming actors as well as well known stars – using as many people associated with Liverpool and its thriving arts scene as much as possible”, said Matthew.
He added, “We are thrilled to have secured the wonderful Sarah-Louise Chadwick who co-starred in Liverpool film, Kate & Jake, and we also welcome the return of Sophia Leanne Kelly from ALTCG, who joins Alina Allison, Gabriella Tavini, Louis Emerick, Jack Ryder, Joe McGann, Daniel Taylor, Helen Fulthorpe, Trevor Dwyer Lynch, Joe Egan, Tina Malone, James Dreyfus and Birkenhead author/actor Richard Isles in the cast, as well as numerous others – all of whom are superb!
Matthew, who is also a commercial model, says “I am thrilled to develop another Liverpool-set project to showcase our wonderful city and our talented Liverpudlians”.
Matthew was forced to give up nursing through physical ill health, due to late onset spinal deterioration stemming from being 12 weeks premature, and believes his background and life skills have helped on his creative journey.
“I will forever be indebted to Wirral Grammar School for Boys and its wonderful drama teacher and director, Geoff Hinde, MBE, who introduced me to the joy of live theatre and encouraged me to volunteer at Everyman Liverpool during sixth form, as front-of-house staff, which also gave me the opportunity to train with its youth theatre”.
Matthew also credits the team behind The Actors’ Lab at Media City in Manchester, for encouraging him in developing his training – and especially its director, Liverpool-icon Sue Jenkins (Brookside).
His first tiny role was in his ‘40s, he was an extra in a Beatles-themed film, ‘Yesterday’ – directed by Danny Boyle. He then moved into theatre, short films and onto feature films, as well as writing and directing his own work.
Matthew said, “I am incredibly excited about the future, I am growing organically as a performer. I have projects slated for release into next year and 2026, including a major role in an Anglo-Bulgarian feature film with Cannes Film Festival Winners – ‘Activist 38’.
It’s never too late to change your career and I have a team in LA hopefully lining me up for something big too. The world is my stage.”
Matthew George Walsh shows that there are no constraints on changing careers and starting new businesses. He is keen to also use his work to raise awareness of local charities in his films as well as championing new talent in the arts world and is supporting Liverpool Fashion Week in October by modelling preloved clothing in a charity catwalk event, with proceeds going to the hospice which cared for his Dad – The Hospice Of The Good Shepherd in Chester.
As he heads towards 50, and with 50s being the new 30s, he really does have the world at his feet, and is a new talent to watch. Semolina Pilchard started production in August and will wrap in October, ready for a sneaky-peak launch during November’s Big Apple Film Festival in New York.
