Derry boxer John Duddy has hung up his gloves and swapped the ring for the stage. After studying acting in New York and just finishing an off-Broadway run of new play The Flood, he is now back on home ground for the Irish premiere at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast.

The former Derry-Destoryer will be hoping to stun audiences in his new vocation as the male lead in Daniel McCabe’s play, The Flood. Set on New York’s Lower East Side on the night of Hurricane Sandy, the story plays out between four friends who have gathered to weather the tempest outside as a recent family tragedy stirs up another storm within. Duddy returns in the role of Aidan, a Derryman in New York and will be joined by NY native James Russell in the role of Charlie, Kimberlee Walker in the role of Eve and Australian actress Emma Ishta playing Mary.

The Flood is Daniel McCabe’s first play and won him the Award for Excellence in Playwrighting at the 2014 New York International Fringe Festival. He said, “We’re really excited about bringing the play to the Lyric in Belfast. I think the play will resonate with young, contemporary Irish audiences in its representation of the Irish community both at home and abroad.”

 

The Flood runs in the Naughton Studio of the Lyric from 4 to 8 November. Wed to Sat 8:00pm. Sat matinee 2.45pm & Sun matinee 1.30pm. Tickets from £10.

The Flood

 

Chris Caldwell

Author: Chris Caldwell

Chris Caldwell at your service! My favourite things are eating and Theatre, I have 2 small sons called Alex and Max who are more mustard than Hellmann's. I spend my days trying to wrangle them and exploring my favourite city - BELFAST! My favourite films are horror, my fav music is metal and my favourite Beatle is Ringo, mainly his work on Thomas the Tank.