Owen McCafferty’s Death of a Comedian to premiere at the Lyric Theatre : 7th February until 1st March

A new play by Belfast’s critically acclaimed Owen McCafferty will have its world premiere at the Lyric Theatre. Death of a Comedian, a powerful and deliciously dark comic story about the price of success in the world of stand-up comedy, will run from February 7 until March 1 at the Lyric Theatre before taking to the stage in Dublin and London.

Brian Doherty (Casualty, Law and Order and Raw) is Steve Johnston, a standup comedian on the cusp of success who could gain everything he wants, but may lose everything he has.

Set across 4 separate stand-up gigs Brian is joined on the Danske Bank stage by his girlfriend played by actress Katie McGuinness ( Doctors, Inspector Lewis and Hotel Babylon) and his agent played by Shaun Dingwell (Breathless, Agatha Christie: Poirot, and Doctor Who).

Death of a Comedian will be Owen McCafferty’s first new work at the Lyric Theatre since his appointment as the theatre’s artist in residence in September.

Executive Producer Jimmy Fay said, “Any new work by Owen is a cause for celebration, and we’re particularly excited that Death of a Comedian will be premiered in his home town before moving on to Dublin and London.

“It’s a fantastic piece that’s genuinely funny, but which also highlights some uncomfortable truths about the price of success that society demands, and I think people will be really captivated by the story.  We’re also delighted to be working in collaboration with Soho Theatre and Abbey Theatre, particularly as we’ll also be co-producing Seán O’Casey’s The Shadow of a Gunman with the Abbey Theatre later in 2015”.

Death of a Comedian runs on the Danske Bank Stage at the Lyric Theatre from February 7 to March 1 (previews on February 7, 8, 10 and 11).  Tickets, which range from £10 – £24.50, can be booked online at www.lyrictheatre.co.uk or through the box office on 028 90381081.