Belfast première for play inspired by Durrell’s Alexandria Quartet

Published: 7 October 2022
Reporter: Michael Quinn

Poster image for Jane Coyle's After Melissa Credit: Powerstone
Ruairi Conaghan Credit: Powerstone
Caitriona Hinds Credit: Powerstone
Sanja Nović Credit: Powerstone

One of the 20th-century’s seminal novel series, Lawrence Durrell’s The Alexandria Quartet, set in the ancient Egyptian city port before, during and after the Second World War, is the inspiration behind Belfast-based playwright and journalist Jane Coyle’s new play, After Melissa.

It tells the story of a Donegal-born writer, Eamon, newly returned to his birthplace after an extended stay in Alexandria. He brings with him a child, fathered with nightclub dancer, Melissa. As he struggles to write an account of his time in Egypt, memories of his clandestine affair with wealthy socialite Justine intrude. When an uninvited visitor turns up, his world is abruptly turned upside down as past and present collide.

Coyle claims close associations with Durrell’s work, having worked on the author’s The Avignon Quintet as an editorial assistant at the prestigious publishing house, Faber & Faber. She said, “reading The Alexandria Quartet as a teenager was a rite of passage for me. Ever since, I have harboured the notion of writing some kind of response to it”.

Actors Ruairi Conaghan and Caitriona Hinds (sister of Ciarán Hinds) return home to Northern Ireland after 30 years working in London and on Broadway to play Eamon and Justine, with the young Bosnian screen actress Sanja Nović taking on the role of Melissa.

Other voice parts will be played by Donegal-based Palestinian actor Fadl Mustapha and Emily Bagnall.

It is directed by former Lyric Theatre, Belfast artistic director, David Grant.

Produced by the Holywood, County Down-based Powerstone, After Melissa opens at the Brian Friel Theatre in Queen’s University, Belfast on November 3 for three nights, after which it will tour to the Seamus Heaney Homeplace, Bellaghy (November 10), Market Place Theatre, Armagh (November 11), Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick (November 12), and Cushendall Golf Club (November 13).

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