c21 Theatre Company is proud to present Under the Lights in The Studio at the
Grand Opera House from 8 – 11 October 2025, a thought-provoking one-person play that examines the popular culture of team sport, the sacrifices young athletes make to rise to the top and the pressure they put on themselves to get there while navigating mental and physical challenges.
Written by NI actor and playwright Maria Connolly, who draws from her personal experience, directed by Stephen Kelly and starring John Travers, this powerful production aims to create conversations about player welfare in all contact sports.
Josh Blair (John Travers) was never any good at team sports, that is until he joins Validus Grammar and goes along for a rugby training session and he is hooked! After four years of school rugby the medallion squad are through to the semi-finals of the Medallion Shield, but in the last few minutes of the game, something is not right, Josh is unsure about playing on, but his team need him, his school needs him, he needs this. Josh takes up his position on the pitch and stands in line, under the lights.
Following its world premiere at the MAC and a tour throughout Northern Ireland, Under the Lights now brings thisimportant message to The Studio at the Grand Opera House, Belfast. The production aims to reach athletes, coaches, parents, and anyone involved in contact sports, to educate,inspire and entertain.
Director of Under the Lights, Stephen Kelly said:
“ I am delighted that our powerful play Under the Lights is coming to Belfast’s Grand Opera House Studio in October 2025. This must-see production made its debut at The MAC Theatre earlier in the year and created a huge impact with a cross-section of audiences. John Travers is a tour de force and his performance brings Maria’s important play to life, in a way that only a few actors can do. It’s unmissable!”
Maria Connolly, writer of Under the Lights, added:
“We were overwhelmed by the response to the play when it premiered earlier this year at The MAC. The play brought so many people of all ages together from many different backgrounds: youth rugby players, ex rugby players, young footballers, sports coaches, teachers, mental health coaches, paramedics, BTEC and A level drama students… the list goes on… I hope many more people get the opportunity to come and experience the astonishing actor John Travers tell Josh’s story, so I am delighted it is returning to The Studio at The Grand Opera House this October.”
Tickets for Under the Lights are available now through the Grand Opera House website Under the Lights | The Studio,Grand Opera House.
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