Adrian Dunbar, Conleth Hill, Siobhán McSweeney & more to make cameos in Stones in His Pockets at Lyric Theatre Belfast

A host of Northern Irish talent are to make special filmed cameos in the 25th Anniversary Production of Stones in his Pockets.

Marie Jones’s legendary award-winning play will explode once again into the Lyric Theatre, Belfast in June where it all began almost 25 years ago.

The production will use new technology – and a host of famous stars – Stones in his Pockets will be brought to life in a new way.

Adrian Dunbar (Line of Duty), Conleth Hill (Game of Thrones, original cast of Stones in His Pockets), Siobhán McSweeney (Derry Girls), Tommy Tiernan (comedian / Derry Girls) and Tara Lynne O’Neill (EastEnders / Derry Girls) are amongst the stars of Northern Irish screen to become extras in this production which centres around a Hollywood blockbuster being filmed in Ireland.

Also appearing are Saoirse Monica Jackson (Derry Girls), Ian McElhinney (Game Of Thrones / Derry Girls) and Kerri Quinn (Coronation Street / Hope Street).

Completing the cameos are Oscar Winner Liam Neeson, Oscar Nominee Ciarán Hinds, British Independent Film Award Winner James Nesbitt, and original cast member Sean Campion.

The main cast of the two-hander Shaun Blaney as Jake and Gerard McCabe as Charlie.

Director Matthew McElhinney said: “The idea was always to bring the movies to Stones. The premise for Stones in his Pockets this time round, is the idea that the extras become the stars, and the stars become the extras. With that in mind, our two actors who play the extras in the play, they’re going to become the stars of their own movie at the end, and famous faces of Northern Ireland are going to become our on-screen extras”.

Producer of Stones in his Pockets, Iwan Lewis, who is also Artistic Director of Barn Theatre added: “We filmed the stars of Northern Irish theatre, television and film. They are the stars, but today, they’re going to be playing extras on the big screen”.

Set in rural Ireland, a small village is turned upside down by the arrival of a Hollywood studio to film the latest historical blockbuster. Told through the eyes of local lads Charlie Conlon and Jake Quinn, who are employed as extras, it soon becomes clear that Tinseltown’s romanticised dream of Ireland is a long way from reality…

Directed by Matthew McElhinney, son of the play’s writer and original director, this new 25th anniversary production of Marie Jones’ tragicomedy, Stones in his Pockets, brings an authentic rediscovery of the worldwide phenomenon, which has won numerous awards including both the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best New Comedy, as well as three Tony nominations on Broadway.

Marie Jones said of the production’s homecoming, “Almost 25 years ago when this play opened at the Lyric Theatre, little did we know the amazing journey that was ahead… from London to Broadway, Olivier Awards, Tony Nominations, translated and performed in 38 languages and still playing around the world.. but coming home, for me, is just the best.”

For more information and tickets, visit www.lyrictheatre.co.uk