Theatre Review: I was the voice of Gerry Adams

There’s something uniquely Belfast about turning one of the strangest chapters of broadcasting history into an evening of laugh-out-loud theatre. And I Was the Voice of Gerry Adams at the Waterfront Studio does exactly that — with warmth, mischief, and the kind of knowing humour only this city could produce.

From the moment the lights go down, there’s a healthy buzz in the room. You get the sense the audience already knows they’re in safe hands — and Conor Grimes and Alan McKee more than deliver.

The premise alone is wonderfully bizarre: during the broadcasting ban, actors were hired to dub Gerry Adams’ voice for television. What follows is a fast-moving, brilliantly performed mix of storytelling and comedy that brings that surreal moment in time vividly — and hilariously — to life.

Grimes and McKee are electric together. They slip effortlessly between characters, voices and memories, creating an entire cast of journalists, soldiers and Belfast personalities with nothing more than physicality, timing and sheer charm. It never feels forced or over-rehearsed — instead, it feels alive, like you’re listening to two master storytellers holding court.

The writing is packed with local references that land perfectly with a Belfast audience. There’s a shared recognition in the room — the kind that comes from lived experience — and the laughs roll steadily throughout. Scenes involving BBC journalists and a tense but absurd army checkpoint are particular highlights, capturing both the humour and humanity of the situation.

What makes the show so effective is its balance. It never feels heavy-handed, despite the political backdrop. Instead, it focuses on the absurdity, the people, and the strange reality of being an actor caught in the middle of history.

Most of all, it’s funny. Properly funny. The kind of laughter that builds naturally, carried by two performers at the very top of their game.

But underneath the comedy, there’s real heart. By the end, what initially feels like a collection of entertaining stories reveals itself to be something more thoughtful and quietly moving — giving the audience a deeper appreciation not just of the moment in history, but of the people who lived through it.

For Belfast audiences especially, this feels like our story — told with affection, honesty and brilliant comic timing.

I Was the Voice of Gerry Adams isn’t just a fascinating piece of theatre. It’s a reminder of Belfast’s unique ability to find humour, humanity and storytelling even in the most unlikely circumstances.