CARRYING DAVID
ON TOUR 2022-23
THE ROLLER-COASTER TRUE STORY
OF THE UNBREAKABLE BOND BETWEEN TWO BROTHERS
written by
Ed Waugh
directed by
Russell Floyd
performed by
Micky Cochrane
based on the autobiography of
Glenn McCrory
INTRODUCTION
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"Micky Cochrane's one man performance is alive and energetic. A must see for all theatre lovers"
David Garrett - Phoenix Theatre
The amazing true story of Glenn McCrory and his brother David is coming back to the stage in 2022 and 2023 for a full UK tour.
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Carrying David charts the background and career of Glenn McCrory and his relationship with his terminally ill brother, David. Inspired by the love and spirit of his brother, boxer Glenn fought back against all odds to bid to become the first fighter from the North-East to become a world champion.
Adapted from the autobiography of the same name, Carrying David is written by Ed Waugh adding to his long list of success with shows such as Hadaway Harry and The Great Joe Wilson. Superbly directed by Russell Floyd it garnered praise during it’s first North-East run and subsequent transfer to Northern Ireland- culminating in a memorable performance at Belfast’s Lyric Theatre - and glowing reviews from the Canal Cafe Theatre in London. Each audience rose in standing ovation, something which still inspires Micky:
“The play seemed to resonate and inspire each audience. The response we got was amazing and I believe this show can go anywhere and be a success as it has universal themes which the audience engages with. There is obviously a boxing element to it but you don’t have to be a fan of boxing to watch. As Glenn said to me when covid stopped us in our tracks, it’s an inspirational story and people want and need these stories in these difficult times. I believe in it and I want to take it far and wide and hopefully will do.”
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The response from reviewers has been really impressive with a five star review in London and widespread acclaim for the performance of Micky Cochrane and a final scene which stuns the audience.
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Micky Cochrane training with Glenn McCrory
TOUR TRAILER
AUDIENCE FEEDBACK
(North East Tour)
AUDIENCE FEEDBACK
(Belfast - Boxing Club coaches and boxers)
INSPIRATION
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Glenn and David McCrory
The County Durham Rocky and his inspirational brother.
Behind the rise from rock bottom of Glenn McCrory, is a tremendous human interest story, namely David his terminally ill brother. He was Glenn’s inspiration when things turned sour.
In 1984 Glenn was lauded by Muhammad Ali as a future world champion. Sadly within two years he became a no-hoper… a has been. “I was a naïve working class lad, ripped off at every stage in those early years” said Glenn. “Totally mismanaged, my dream of being a professional boxer never mind a world champion lay in ruins but the person who inspired me throughout those desperate days was my adopted brother David.”
David was 17 months younger than Glenn and joined the McCrory “clan” of six siblings in 1972 aged six. He shared Glenn’s passion for the sport and the brothers collected magazines and watched films of historic bouts. He even attended training sessions to inspire his big brother.
Images: David McCrory (left). Glenn McCrory celebrating a victory (right)
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David had a degenerative muscle wasting disease called Friedrich’s Ataxia which meant he struggled to breathe and walk. Glenn often carried him on his back. “He was that encouraging and at times critical voice on my shoulder both physically and later on metaphorically.” Glenn added “I’ve fought big, powerful and brave men in the ring but David’s fight was every single day, just to stay alive. He was the bravest of the brave.”
Rocky was a great film, but this “County Durham Rocky” story is even better - and true.
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REVIEWS
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“For virtually two hours Micky Cochrane captivated the audience as he unfolded the inspirational story of popular boxer Glenn McCrory. The standing ovation which greeted Cochrane came as no surprise after such an emotionally charged performance.”
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“Gripping, dramatic, accessible, unpretentious and contemporary… How could a one man theatre show depict a boxing match in a way that created genuine excitement?”
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“The audience was on it’s feet… rapturous applause”
Northern Echo
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“A triumph…I'm no fan of boxing but it didn't matter in the least; this is a spell-binding tour de force from a massively talented actor and a story which deserves to be told. The show's content also meant we were able to attract some audiences to our arts venue who were completely new to theatre - and who've promised to come again!"
Jill Cole, Witham Theatre Programming Team
"Carrying David is theatre at its best. A true story of love, loss and victory against all odds where everything comes together: the writing, direction, seemingly simplistic design and the tour de force performance of Micky Cochrane"
Emma Taylor, Artistic Director, Canal Cafe Theatre.
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"This is pure, theatrical joy. A thrilling watch, Floyd’s direction is pitch-perfect, taking us on an emotional and physical journey, keeping everything kinetic and filled with movement... Waugh’s writing is cleverly structured - it’s as though McCrory is in the room with us sharing his story, and Cochrane is charismatic and formidable in the role”
CREATIVE TEAM
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Written by
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Based on the autobiography of
Glenn McCrory
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Directed by
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Performed by
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Produced by
Suzanna Rosenthal & Charlotte Lund
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Stage Management / Tech
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Lighting
Von Fox Productions
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Photography and design
MICKY COCHRANE - Performer
Micky is an actor, theatre maker, singer and comedian and one of the most accomplished performers from the North-East. As an actor he has played on all of the North-East’s main stages and appeared around the UK on stages such as Theatre by the Lake and Oldham Coliseum and screen appearances in shows such as Man Down. He performs in the band ThisGroundMoves who produced the album You are not the End of the World a single from which - Shoulders of Fortune - was picked up and played on CSI New York. As a stand up comedian Micky wrote, produced and performed his show ‘What the Fudge’ at Jesterval comedy festival, Edinburgh Fringe and North-East venues earning rave reviews and even being compared to an idol of his - Rik Mayall. Carrying David has become a big part of Micky’s life over the past few years and it is a story and project he is passionate about. It is an inspirational story for which he has earned rave reviews from audience and critics alike.
RUSSELL FLOYD - Director
An adopted Geordie, Russell directed Hadaway Harry to huge acclaim for the premiere tour in 2015 as well as the sold-out London and Newcastle Theatre Royal productions in February 2017. He also directed the hugely successful The Great Joe Wilson in 2018. Carrying David is Russell’s third major success as a director with Tyneside writer Ed Waugh. Croydon-born, Russell is himself an acclaimed theatre, film and TV actor, best known as EastEnders’ market manager Michael Rose (‘96 to ‘99) and The Bill’s DC Ken Drummond (’02 to ‘05). He has appeared in many TV shows, BBC Radio 4 productions, numerous films (incuding 3 nominations for Best Actor in Offensive), and theatre productions including Maggie’s End (Shaw Theatre) and Forget Me Not with Eleanor Bron (Bush Theatre), and as Sharon Osbourne’s thuggish dad in the Small Faces musical All Or Nothing (tour ‘15-’18)
ED WAUGH - Writer
Ed has co-written 14 plays with Trevor Wood including the international hits Dirty Dusting and Waiting For Gateaux. Their other hit plays include Good to Firm (national tour), Maggie's End (Gala Durham and off-London's West End, UK tour), Alf Ramsay Knew My Grandfather (North East tour and Newcastle Theatre Royal), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Durham (North East tour), Amazing Grace (North East tour), Son of Samurai (North East tour and Latitude Festival) and The Revengers (national tour and London). They have also written award winning films and radio sitcoms (See www.edwaughandtrevorwood.co.uk) Ed's critically acclaimed solo plays include Hadaway Harry, (UK tour, London and Newcastle Theatre Royal) Mr Corvan's Music Hall and The Great Joe Wilson (both North East tour and Sage Gateshead). The Geordie Nativity has been performed many times as a monologue and multi-part radio piece, was developed into a full-length play. Ed has also written at least 10 Laffalang comedy shows featuring the Laffalang Gang, sketches for the annual Christmas at the Cathedral show in Newcastle and Sunday for Sammy sketches.and a one-off satirical, political comedy show called Boris Out! which sold out due to demand! He has also written two radio sitcom pilots Where Did I go Wrong? and Stand Up For Middle Age.
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LYDIA OLIVER - Stage Manger and Tech.
Graduate in Theatre (BA hons) from York St John University, Lydia has partnered with numerous Theatre and Arts companies across the UK. Stage managing and teching various projects from Rural tours, Sunderland Empire, Festivals, Contemporary and Traditional Theatre. Throughout her time in the Arts Industry she has been able to work with inspirational individuals and collectives creating outstanding work such as Carrying David and in her work as stage manager of Grassington Festival.
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