In February I stepped into the lead role in Shadow of a Gunman with only 7 hours of rehearsal under my belt.
My good friends at Irish Rep had already cast me in an upcoming production of The Plough and the Stars, as part of their 30th anniversary season, a rep season consisting of three of O'Casey's greatest works, often termed The Dublin Trilogy. But when they learned that an actor in the first two shows was going through some family health issues and may need to leave suddenly, they asked if I could prepare the lines in case I was needed. Unfortunately the situation turned and I was needed earlier than expected, so with 7 hours of rehearsal and 65 pages of dialogue learned in three days, I went on in the title role of Davoren in The Shadow of a Gunman on Friday night. It was an intense but rewarding experience, and we managed to get through the weekend with almost no interruption. I take no joy in the circumstances that put me in the position, but I am endlessly grateful to everyone at the theatre, onstage and off, that placed their trust in me and gave it their all to allow the show to go on.
Now that production has been nominated for best revival at the 2019 Lucille Lortel awards, the preeminent Off-Broadway theatre awards. I’m endlessly proud of everyone involved in the show and so happy to have been able to keep it on its feet for those 12 performances.