Brendan takes on a heartbreaking role

This critically acclaimed drama received its Northern Ireland premiere at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast where it runs until 21 October in the Naughton Studio.

The play was originally set in London, where Brendan now lives, but has been adapted to a Belfast setting with a stunning local cast and is directed by the Lyric’s own Artistic Director, Richard Croxford.

“It has been an emotional roller-coaster playing the part of a father struggling to cope with his youngest son’s murder,” said Brendan. “The cast met with Victim Support NI among others to discuss the issues raised by the play which really helped us get into the very demanding roles.

“I have personally learned a lot from the part,” Brendan added. “For example, when I read about Stephen Lawrence – the boy stabbed in a racist attack in London – and heard that his parents had split up I couldn’t understand why. I thought their son’s murder would bring them closer together but this play has helped me realise the terrible toll knife crime has on families and how it can tear them apart.”

The play tells the story of two brothers, Joe and Dan, who go out for the night but one never comes home. Eighteen-year-old Dan dies from a single stab wound inflicted by a young woman, Emma Price (Bernadette Brown) who is ‘off her head’ on drugs.

The whole family struggles to deal with their loss which reaches a heart-rending climax when their mother Mary (Sheelagh O’Kane) seeks to meet her son’s killer in prison. The cast also includes Jo Donnelly and Chris McCurry.

Brendan has a long list of theatre, TV and film credits including Judge Dredd and EastEnders.

The playwright, Shelagh Stephenson spent many hours talking to victims and perpetrators of violent crime, visiting prisons and collaborating with the Forgiveness Project, a charity working in the fields of reconciliation and restorative justice which is a particularly pertinent issue in post-conflict Northern Ireland.

son is stabbed. A portrait of grief, the play The Long Road runs in the Naughton Studio until Sunday, October 21. To book contact the Lyric box office on 028 9038 1081 or online at www.lyrictheatre.co.uk