23rd December 2008

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James Nesbitt at the Riverside Theatre


The stars of a Christmas past – including actor James Nesbitt – returned to the Riverside Theatre at Ulster’s Coleraine campus last night for a reunion of the 1978 cast of “Oliver”.

And Coleraine-born Nesbitt was reunited with an old friend, the hat he wore as he trod the boards as the Artful Dodger when he was 13-years-old.

Nesbitt’s father, also called James, had kept the hat his son wore in his acting debut in the famous stage show. That piece of history was displayed alongside other pieces of memorabilia from the show, including original costume sketches from the director.

Guests came from as far afield as Australia and Angola. Returning to where his acting career began, Nesbitt, star of Cold Feet and Murphy’s Law, and BBC News journalist, Mark Carruthers, who had the lead role 30 years ago, met up with others who also took their first steps in theatre then.

For Jeremy Lewis, General Administrator of the Riverside Theatre, the opening of 1978 production was also his first night as General Manager of the Coleraine venue.

He said: “The reunion was a fantastic occasion. Almost 75 per cent of the original cast showed up on the night and it was a wonderful evening. People who haven’t seen each other in 30 years were meeting up with some old friends. It was great to see James Nesbitt coming over for the reunion and just like 30 years ago, he stole the show once again.”

James Nesbitt received an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters from the University of Ulster in 2003 for his services to drama.

For further information, please contact:

Martin Cowley
Telephone: 028 71675083
Email: Martin Cowley