Myra’s Story

BOOKING DETAILS:

Tickets on sale Friday 2nd December 2022 at 10am

BOX OFFICES:

Kingsgate Box Office (next to The Body Shop)
Monday to Saturday from 11.00pm – 4.00pm
Tel. 01383 733 666

Online Tickets (and out of office hours)
www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Playing to packed houses, standing ovations and five-star reviews, MYRA’S STORY has been described by many as the finest, funniest, most heart-breaking piece of theatre they have ever seen. The story of middle-aged homeless alcoholic Myra McLaughlin, living rough on the streets of Dublin. As she begs from passers-by at Ha’Penny Bridge she recreates her incredible backstory, playing all the characters, acting out all the hilarious/tragic/heart-breaking events in her life that have taken her to this pitiful state. You’ll laugh with Myra. You’ll cry with Myra. What you’ll never do … is forget her.

“Astonishing and sublime! Quite simply the greatest modern Irish play I have ever seen.”

5***** L. PARKER, FACEBOOK.

“Just come out of this wonderful play. Completely immersed. Times you could hear a pin drop. Loud laughter in other parts. Been attending theatre for 30 years and adore it. But never seen anything to compare on an emotional scale to this.”

5***** LYNDSEY STODDART, FACEBOOK.

“Five stars are not enough to do it justice! Hosannas are what Hewitt-Twamley and Derry playwright Brian Foster deserve for this soul-searing drama about those we pass by every day.”

5***** SCOTTISH DAILY MAIL.

“Will wring laughter and tears from even the stoniest of hearts.”

5***** BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE.

“Never has a live performance left me speechless. 90 minutes of sheer brilliance. Laughter and tears a lot of so remember to take a box of tissues.”

5***** GRACE GALLAGHER, FACEBOOK.

DERRY PLAY SET FOR LONDON WEST END – A true account of how the writer came to write Myra’s Story!

When Derry playwright Brian Foster ignored a homeless woman begging in the street, the sense of guilt he felt afterwards compelled him to sit down and write his most successful play, MYRA’S STORY. And now, this September and October, his play is set to open in London’s West End, in the iconic Trafalgar Theatre. After that, in November, it plays Belfast Grand Opera House. This follows MYRA’S STORY being the sensational smash hit of the last three Edinburgh Fringes.

Brian Foster explains the origins of the play: ‘Some years back I was down in Dublin on business. As I crossed Ha’penny Bridge I spotted, ahead of me, a woman sat on a piece of cardboard, begging. I hurried past her, pretending to talk into my mobile. As I passed I gave her a quick glance as she held out her plastic cup. She was maybe mid-forties, with high cheek-bones and piercing green eyes. Her bruised face still showed traces of a past beauty. Back in the comfort of my hotel, I wondered who she was? What life had thrown at her that caused her to end up like that? I returned to the bridge within the hour, hoping to clear my conscience with a small donation. But she was gone. All that remained was her empty plastic begging cup lying on the grubby piece of cardboard on which she’d squatted.’

‘Back home in Derry I couldn’t get that tragic lady’s face out of my head. And the sense of guilt I felt for ignoring her made me sit down and begin writing. A month later I had completed the first draft of the play. The story depicts a day in the life of middle-aged homeless alcoholic, Myra McLaughlin, living rough on the streets of Dublin. As she begs from passers-by she relives her backstory, playing all the characters, male and female, that have coloured her life. Acting out all the incredible twists and turns of fate that led her to alcoholism and destitution. Audiences laugh and cry (often at the same time) as Myra sweeps them along on a real rollercoaster ride of emotions. Hers is the face we so often turn away from, pretending not to see, just as I did to my shame that cold December day.’

MYRA’S STORY has been a phenomenal success wherever it plays, with standing ovations in packed venues seating up to 1450 people. Although set in Dublin, the story could take place in any town, in any city, worldwide, the twin evils of homelessness and addiction being universal. Audiences can relate to the damaged character they see up on stage. Myra is their sister, their brother, their mother their father. Myra is any one of them … any one of us … there but for the grace.