St Columb’s Hall embracing ‘The Derry Yank’

For the first time in what Anne Marie Gallagher poetically described as its “new life” a truly local play is being staged in Derry’s iconic St Columb’s Hall.

The Hall’s Project Director was referring to The Derry Yank, Derry author, Eamonn Lynch’s first play - curtains up on Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1.

The cast and crew of 'The Derry Yank' at the play's first read through in St Columb's Hall.

The play stars talented Derry thespians, Maeve Connolly, Gerry Doherty and Pat Lynch. It is directed by Michael Poynor, former Chief Executive of the city’s Millennium Forum and Head of Culture and Arts at Queen’s University, Belfast.

Speaking to Derry News, Anne Marie tantalisingly revealed The Derry Yank centred on Martin Duffy’s return from New York after an absence of 45 years.

“Martin wants to see his old friend Kieran and to deal with some issues from the past, and that’s where it all kicks off,” said Anne Marie. “Since St Columb’s Hall Trust was established in 2019 to regenerate the Hall, we have been trying to bring a wide range of events to the venue.

“Whilst the Hall has always been somewhere dramas would have been staged and playwrights welcomed, the thing that is really appealing to me about The Derry Yank is that this is a  local, first-time playwright. He scripted this himself, scripted all of the dialogue, everything to do with it and was really being ambitious.

“This is the first time in the Hall’s new life that we have been able to stage a locally created play here so it is really, really exciting for us. It is a big undertaking for Eamonn and for us here in the Hall but we are thrilled about it. I think The Derry Yank is definitely going to bring some much-needed humour to its audiences. 

“Sometimes things can be very depressing, so I think, in the midst of all of that, some good news and a bit of humour will be just the tonic we need. I can’t wait to see it.”

Anne Marie was confident The Derry Yank audiences would love the actors and characters Eamonn had brought to the play.

“Even from what I have seen so far, I think the play, although it does have serious moments, is definitely going to be a good night’s craic, much needed amongst all the current bad news,” she said.

“Rehearsals started in the Hall last week. The Director, Michael Poynor, was here with the cast and stage crew for the read through. There was a brilliant chemistry between all of the actors.

“Michael is a very, very experienced director. He has done an enormous amount of work with his own company. I think the whole project, The Derry Yank being staged here in St Columb’s Hall is really exciting for us and for Eamonn as well. Hopefully audiences will love it.

“People here will ‘get’ The Derry Yank. The characters and the references will really resonate with people from the city. It’s going to be brilliant.

“We have obviously done a couple of concert events in the Hall and we have done comedy, but this type of dramatic theatre production is totally new for us. 

“The Derry Yank will be the first time the first time we have gone down that road and, when you see all the plans, it is a completely new way of looking at the Hall. I know the lighting strategy they have is really dynamic and people will see the space in a different way. That’s what we want all the time.”

As well as The Derry Yank, events in St Columb’s Hall are continuing apace.

Anne Marie said: “The Open Democracy project is ongoing and we are planning different concerts. We are currently working with Long Tower and Christ Church on a fundraising concert they are putting on here on March 24, with Margaret Keys and The Priests.

“We also have the big return of the Derry Feis, which we are extremely excited about and then we have Celtronic back here for the first time since before covid. They have Annie Mac, formerly of BBC Radio One coming over, so that is going to be great.

“In addition, we are looking forward to the Luke Combs Tribute Band and the Seeger Sessions Revival, the Jazz Festival and the Yes Festival in June, which is going to be absolutely magnificent. It is a massive European festival which is coming to the city that is going to anchor itself in St Columb’s Hall.

“The Tickets for The Derry Yank can be bought online at: www.stcolumbshall.com or in person from Christopher in Ferry Clever in Bishop Street or Jenni in Little Acorns Bookstore in Great James Street. Tickets cost £18 or concession £16.”