JOHN GIBSON Play pulling no punches
GLENN McCRORY’S breakthrough play Carrying David is to go on tour, building up to a showpiece return to the city of Newcastle.
Carrying David tells the life story of Tyneside’s only world boxing champion and a unique relationship with his adopted brother who was battling a crippling muscle-wasting disease.
That David lived long enough to witness Glenn become cruiserweight champion of the world on an emotion-dripping night in Stanley is the centrepiece of a theatrical extravaganza lovingly written by North East playwright Ed Waugh.
Now, after premiering on Tyneside, Carrying David is to tour in Ireland and play a short season in London before coming home to showcase for two nights over Easter at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal.
McCrory said: “I am thrilled. I always wanted to go from Stanley to St James’ Park as a world champion but it was not to be.
“Now I am going from Stanley where we held the Carrying David launch to the Theatre Royal, which is the premier Newcastle venue.
“The play is beautifully written by Ed and is faithful to the true story of the bond between myself and David, who inspired me to become a world champion.
“Micky Cochrane, who plays myself in what is a one-man show, is magnificent.”
Three dates are pencilled in for
Ireland in November, then hopefully, after a short spell in the capital, McCrory’s life story will make the fastest transfer ever to the Theatre Royal with director Philip Bernays agreeing to open on Good Friday (April 10).
Waugh said: “Prior to our booking at the Newcastle Theatre Royal I would like to take the show to a small venue in London for an out-of-town run.
“We did that with a play called Hadaway Harry in 2016 before it played the Theatre Royal.
“It sold out three shows at the London Rowing Club and did the same up here.”
Carrying David received a standing ovation after every one of its 12 initial shows in June when McCrory was celebrating the 30th anniversary of his world title win.
McCrory added: “This is my homage to a dear brother.
“People says it takes guts to become a world champion in a tough sport like boxing but I witnessed David’s bravery every day.
“He was an unsung hero and that is why I champion such people.”
McCrory has just returned from climbing the eighth highest mountain in the world – Manaslu in the
Himalayas stands 26,781ft above sea level and was not conquered until May 1956. He made the attempt for a charity called the Children’s Christmas Wish List.
He got within touching distance of the summit, an incredible feat for a climber with very limited experience and no training.
McCrory admitted: “It was the most frightening thing I have ever done.”
Carrying David will launch at the Theatre Royal on Thursday, April 9. The theatre’s box office opens for bookings on Friday, November 8.