I first saw Carrying David a number of years ago and I found it a profoundly moving occasion. Like the protagonist, boxer Glenn McCrory, I too had a disabled brother. And his name was also David.
The play captured the sense of responsibility a sibling can have in these situations very well and which I remember very well. But the play did something else. It reminded me just how much I received from my brother David. So much warmth. So much trust. So much love.
Carrying David at the Theatre Royal
Carrying David is on at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle on Saturday 21 June and Sunday 22 June. It tells the story of how the North East gained a world champion. On 3 June 1989, Glenn McCrory entered the ring attempting to become the first World Champion from the North East. In doing so, he would fulfil a dream, he shared with his brother, David.
This was the brother Glenn had to carry as a kid, who was “fighting for his life against a terminal illness and who inspired him back from the depths of despair”.
As the Theatre Royal puts it, “witness the amazing true events that led to this point and one of the greatest comebacks ever seen. This remarkable true story of love, hope and triumph over adversity finally comes to life on the big stage. Pure inspiration, with a captivating performance by Micky Cochrane”.
Interview with Micky Cochrane , who plays Glenn McCrory in the play
What is your back story?
I came to acting a little bit late in life. I was into performing at school, but I was also captain of the football team, so I was really into sports and performing arts but they don’t always mix. The performing arts are needed more than ever. My little boy is six and loves performing and I encourage it.
I always thought I would be a footballer and played for Gateshead and Durham County and as I was from the same village as Paul Gascoigne, I was going to be the next Gazza!
So I always assumed I was going to be a footballer and I had to take a long path back to the performing arts. My drama teachers wanted me to do drama, but I was from a working class area and didn’t want to do it. It was for posh people!
In the end my mother said why don’t you do acting; that’s what you want to do. So, I got a degree and an agent and I became a professional actor. In doing so opportunities came along and I met writers and so on. I’ve also been able to sing in a band.
In the last ten years have been able to do some really good stuff in terms of acting. Despite the struggles, I love it and this play is brilliant.
How did you get involved in working on Carrying David?
I had worked with the writer Ed Waugh before. I have done a couple of players written by Ed and Trevor Wood before and Ed got in touch. I also went to the Theatre Royal to see Jamie Brown playing Hadaway Harry.
I’ve seen how plays could work with only one actor. In fact I’m directing a short piece at the Live Theatre with just as many as three actors which is quite a lot these days!
I had also done a one man show at the Customs House and done stand up comedy, taking a show up to Edinburgh for the Fringe I was used to working an audience by myself.
So, I had a meeting in 2018 with Ed and Glenn McCrory. Ed said I was the person he wanted for the job and that I was going to have to reenact the boxing action. Glenn’s last words to me were, that I would have to “get rid of some of this” and he playfully poked me in the belly!
I got into to shape and really enjoyed it, as it was bringing sport and drama together. It was as if I was hardwired to do it.
Have you had to do anything special for the role?
This is my fourth time of doing this show. Just before doing it I was acting in a player called the Moth, which we played around the region and went to Manchester with. In this play I was playing an Afrikaner, who was an ex-soldier. He was supposed to be the kind of person who only eats meat so I built up my body and put on almost a stone.
At the end of the run, my first thought was that “I need to get rid of this extra weight”! I’m a newly qualified personal trainer and a boxing instructor. So, this time round for the play I could do many things by myself and I’m still doing the boxing training, going to a place in Blyth called Boxing Well, which is a mental health charity and I am training with them. It’s an inspirational place, where they really take care of you them and amazingly one coach actually knew Glenn and his brother David.
Why should people go to see Carrying David?
There are a few reasons. Firstly, we are competing with big budget West End style shows with big names, but this show is rooted in the North East and has got to the Theatre Royal through word of mouth. It would be good for people to support something from the North East.
Secondly, it is a story of one of the greatest sporting comebacks in history and one of the greatest sporting achievements. Glenn was the first boxing world champion from the North East. The things he had to come back from; defeats, being ripped off over money, mental health issues make it a remarkable story. You won’t believe what he had to overcome.
As much as the story is about the boxer it is also about brotherly bond and triumph over adversity. As much as we learn about Glenn, we also learn about his family life and Glenn’s remarkable brother David, who was a really inspirational person who would never stop trying, despite being terminally ill and taught us to appreciate what we have got. It is David’s story as much as Glenn’s.
Anything else you what to add?
Everybody who is thinking of going to the Theatre Royal soon should consider coming to see Carrying David. This play is as good as anything you will see.
You will cry, laugh and come away feeling better. We are working on a mental health initiative, and this show will help you feel good.
We have kept ticket prices as low as we can for a performance at the Theatre Royal.
To learn more about Carrying David and how you can get tickets for the performances at the Theatre Royal please see here.
