AWARD-winning and sell-out production The Life and Times of Paddy Armstrong, presented by Wooden Bridge Productions and starring acclaimed actor Don Wycherley, is returning to the Lyric Theatre, Belfast main stage from Thursday 10 to Sunday 13 September 2026.
Written by Mary-Elaine Tynan, Don Wycherley and Niamh Gleeson, and directed by Mary- Elaine Tynan, the production follows a hugely successful run at the Lyric in 2025, where every performance played to a sell-out audience and received standing ovations.
A one-man show starring Don Wycherley, known for his work with the Abbey Theatre and his television roles in Father Ted, Ballykissangel and Bachelor’s Walk, The Life and Times of Paddy Armstrong tells the extraordinary story of the Belfast man, one of the Guildford Four, who were wrongly convicted of IRA bombings and would spend 15 years in English prisons until their convictions were overturned in 1989.
The play is based on Paddy Armstrong’s best-selling memoir, Life After Life: A Guildford Four Memoir, published by Gill Books in 2017. Paddy co-wrote the memoir with Mary-Elaine Tynan, who subsequently co-wrote the stage adaptation with Don Wycherley and Niamh Gleeson. The highly acclaimed memoir reached number two in the Irish non-fiction charts and provides the foundation for the stage production.
Fifty years after his wrongful conviction, at the age of 74, Paddy is facing into his twilight years and wrestling with a thousand turbulent memories. In Paddy, he relives the journey that forever altered his destiny.
The Life and Times of Paddy Armstrong is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of forgiveness. It reminds us that freedom, love, family and everyday life can restore us and help mend the scars of even the most savage injustice.
Don Wycherley brings unflinching honesty, pathos and humour to his portrayal of Paddy – a man failed and scarred by a flawed system, yet refusing to be defined by it.
Writer Mary-Elaine Tynan said: “It has been an extraordinary privilege to work alongside Paddy and help bring his story to audiences through both the memoir and the stage. His story is one of unimaginable injustice, but also of resilience, love, family and forgiveness. To see audiences connect so deeply with Paddy’s story has been incredibly moving, and we are delighted to be bringing the production back to the Lyric.”
Don Wycherley who plays Paddy commented: “Playing Paddy is both a huge responsibility and a privilege. His story contains so much pain and injustice, but also humour, warmth and an incredible determination to live life on his own terms. The response from audiences has been extraordinary, and we are thrilled to be returning to the Lyric.”
The production has been touring to sold-out venues across Ireland and the UK since November 2024 and has now been seen by more than 15,000 people. The UK and Ireland tour continues until May 2027, with further dates to be announced.
Tickets are now on sale from the Lyric Theatre Box Office: 028 9038 1081 Email: boxoffice@lyrictheatre.co.uk Website: www.lyrictheatre.co.uk.
