The Derry Yank
Date: 31 May 2024 - 1 June 2024
Venue: St Columb's Hall, 10a Newmarket Street, Derry, BT48 6EB
This summer will see the eagerly-anticipated premiere of 'The Derry Yank', a new two-act play from popular local writer Eamonn Lynch. A contemporary comedy-drama, it's typically full of Derry craic and banter that's tinged with poignancy as it deals with themes of friendship, betrayal, forgiveness and the past. It will be premiered in historic St Columb’s Hall on Fri 31st May and Sat 1st June 2024. Derry man Martin comes home from New York after an absence of 45 years to see his old friend Kieran and to deal with some issues from the past. And that's when it all kicks off...
The Derry Yank stars three of Derry's finest actors - Gerry Doherty, Maeve Connelly and Pat Lynch - and is directed by acclaimed theatre professional Michael Poynor.
It's a comedy/drama with an emphasis on comedy, though the dramatic scenes are extremely tense and emotional.
There are a few surprises/shocks during the play that even to hint at here might spoil things for the audience; suffice to say, bring hankies to soak up tears of laughter and sorrow.
After 45 years in New York, Derry native Martin Duffy returns to his hometown, where he seeks out old friend Kieran to explain an act of betrayal (involving a woman, of course!) in the hope of putting things right with his mucker.
What Kieran doesn't know is that Martin’s disappearance to America had more layers to it than he thought, and the play unravels and exposes the truth behind those events to profound dramatic and emotional effect.
Adding an extra layer of depth and poignancy to the play is Kieran's friend Maggie, who, like Martin, has returned to Derry in recent years after many years in England. There is more to her story than meets the eye, and her dramatic revelation will strike a chord with those audience members who lived through The Troubles.
Having the historic and iconic St Columb's’s Hall to stage 'The Derry Yank' is the icing on the cake... a great night’s craic and drama is sure to be had by all.