Derry play puts spotlight on gambling addiction in Northern Ireland using dark humour

My Valentine’s Boy is set to shine a spotlight on the tragedy of gambling addiction here in the North but approaches the subject with some witty dark humour.

Writer and director Martin O’Brien gave a short synopsis and explanation about the message layered within the play: “It is a drama with lighthearted comedy in it because life is like that; life can be funny while you are in a dark period.

“Our four main characters are a Derry couple and a Belfast couple.

“One husband meets the other husband, who had been in the hospital a few years before, and they start talking, but the Belfast man doesn’t want to talk as he is more interested in his phone; this is happening while the two wives are away shopping.

“One of the characters has escaped from addiction, but the Belfast man is still in his addiction. 

“In a sense it is a play about inspiration, the two guys coming together, one emphasising with the other, trying to show the audience the two sides of gambling, being in it, but also the recovery.

“We also see how the addiction doesn’t just affect the men in this story, but how it impacts the people closest to them, in this case their wives. 

“The story runs in real time through the play, so the audience is like a fly on the wall, so they feel like they are eavesdropping on these people.

“It looks at how they are coping with the problems their men are facing, but it also addresses that you never really escape it. It is always going to be with you there somewhere; even though you have escaped from this black hole, there are always going to be aspects of your life that you are taking along with you.”

The most recent survey on gambling prevalence was conducted in 2016, and it suggested there were about 40,000 problem gamblers in Northern Ireland—the highest rate in the UK per head of the population.

Martin battled the addiction himself, and this personal fight inspired this play as he hopes that this play may help at least one person who is going through the same thing.

The leading ladies in the play, with this being LJ O’Neill’s first theatrical foray, as she plays the role of Julie, a Belfast woman.

She said: “When I saw the script, I knew Martin very well, loved what he was doing with it, and thought it was a nice piece to get my teeth into.

“People may come away from this with some thoughts about their own lives, others lives, 

And it could be a great conversation topic for all those that come along.”

Meanwhile, Cathy McCann joked how this was the perfect role for her, mainly due to the fact she doesn’t need to do a Derry accent.

She said: “When I saw this opportunity, I thought, hang on a second, that character sounds perfect for me, not because a lot of the production is centred in Derry and Belfast and I would never dare humiliate myself attempting those accents and offend everybody, so my character is from London, but her experience of being a singer and a barmaid all sounded like a bit of me, so I was drawn to it.

“The overarching message is around the dangers of gambling, and I think that over the last number of years, with online gambling in particular, it has become so prevalent, and people don’t just watch sports anymore; people may have a bet on or even several bets, and I believe this can easily get out of hand, so this story is about some of the dangers of gambling and the impact that this gambling addiction has on relationships and some of the tragic repercussions that may result from it.

“It is quite a serious story, but there is a lot of comedy, dark comedy at times, but a lot of funny misunderstandings from the things that happen in the story.”

While there has always been a focus on the impact addiction can have on an individual, Martin wished to explore the impact on those closest to them, something cast member Paul O’Doherty can’t wait for the audience to examine within the play.

He said: “What I think interests me is how people adjust in unhealthy ways around addiction, so the addict themselves can fool themselves out of what is going on and the degree of addiction that they have, but it is also difficult for family members and friends around them because they may make excuses and allow themselves to be persuaded by the addict.

“It is about addiction, not just gambling, as it shares the same traits in all because there is some aspect of their character, and they get sucked in, and they start to lose control in a certain area, and the people around them are always affected, particularly those who are closest.”

As curtain calls edge closer each day, the nerves can be felt by everyone involved, including Martin Towey. 

He said: “It has been intense, but it has been good. It has been great working with everybody involved. Now I believe I will be incredibly nervous on the first night, but then I will be fine. I’m also looking forward to seeing what the audience discovers in the play and seeing their reaction to the play.

“Come to enjoy the night and to have fun and to be hopefully be entertained not just by the humour but by the drama and be interested by the people and if we are really lucky not only will you enjoy the play it will actually give you something to think about as well and perhaps an understanding for a friend that you may have or a relative that you have and to see what they may be going through as well.”

My Valentine's Boy will be hitting St Columb’s Hall stage from February 12 to 13; the doors open at 7:30 pm, and the show starts at 8 pm.

Tickets are priced at £18.

You can book tickets here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/stcolumbshall/my-valentines-boy/e-jklmmm

Or call (028) 71 262880

The show will also be performed in St Eugene’s Hall in Moville, from February 15 to 16, with tickets priced at €15.

To book tickets call R.O.I 083 3978971 N.I. (00353) 83 3978971