Game of Thrones Actor To Take To Stage in Ulster American at The Sanctuary Theatre
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Northern Irish actor Andrew McClay has been announced in the role of Jay Conway in the upcoming production of Ulster American by Bright Umbrella Theatre Company, running at The Sanctuary Theatre in East Belfast from Tuesday, August 26 to Saturday, September 6, 2025.
Andrew, who rose to public attention through his appearances in Game of Thrones and the HBO documentary The Last Watch, will take on the role of an Oscar-winning American actor attempting to connect with his Irish roots in David Ireland’s provocative satire.
The Londonderry man has worked across stage and screen, with roles in The Ferryman at Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre, the feature film Pixie opposite Alec Baldwin, and Ballywalter with Patrick Kielty. He has also trained at Bow Street in Dublin and continues to develop his craft through ongoing masterclasses and physical theatre work.
Speaking about the production, Andrew said: “The theme of the need for tribal identity, I find that fascinating. Also, the theme of sexism. I think in modern times, men can say they respect women but their actions can speak very much to the contrary.
“I play Jay Conway, Oscar-winning actor, who is intense and has been known to speak from his crotch.
“Having never acted in the Sanctuary, I am most looking forward to the intimacy of the venue. The building has history and character, I love places like that. Plus, it’s just down the road from the house.
“At the start of 2025 I performed as IRA heavy Laurence Malone in Jez Butterworth’s The Ferryman at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin. If you cut Laurence, he’d bleed green, white and orange. Jay Conway, on the other hand, would be the type of guy to have an Ivory Coast flag in his basement and call it St Patties day.
“It’s mental and I watch a lot of mental stuff, so that’s saying something.
“If you love the craic, you’ll love this. And sure here, who doesn’t love the craic.”
Written by East Belfast playwright David Ireland, Ulster American is a darkly comic, satirical play that dissects privilege, identity, and the performance of liberal values in creative spaces.
The story unfolds over a single evening, as an Oscar-winning American actor, an ambitious English director, and a Northern Irish playwright clash over a new script. The meeting quickly descends into conflict as artistic intentions collide with personal agendas.
The production is directed by Trevor Gill, founder and artistic director of Bright Umbrella, who commented in the initial announcement: “It is a pleasure to stage Ulster American by David Ireland in East Belfast, where he is from.
“We have a very strong and experienced cast well capable of delivering what is a challenging script. David Ireland’s work is a carefully crafted mixture of satire, shock and black humour. We can guarantee a memorable night at the theatre.”
Ulster American deals with themes such as cultural identity, misogyny, power dynamics, and consent. It contains very strong language, graphic violence, and references to sexual assault.
Bright Umbrella Theatre Company, based at The Sanctuary Theatre, continues its commitment to staging socially relevant, challenging work for local audiences. This production, part-funded by Belfast City Council, marks the first full professional staging of Ulster American in East Belfast.
Tickets for Ulster American at The Sanctuary Theatre are on sale now at brightumbrella.co.uk
About Ulster American
Written by East Belfast playwright David Ireland, Ulster American premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2018, winning the Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award. It has since received international acclaim for its dark satire and provocative themes.
The play unfolds over a single evening as three characters – an American film star, an English director, and a Northern Irish playwright – meet to discuss a new production. What begins as creative collaboration spirals into confrontation, exposing tensions around identity, power, and artistic ethics.
Ulster American has been described as “brutally funny” and “not for the faint of heart”, praised for its graphic honesty and emotional intensity. This production will be the first full professional staging of the play in East Belfast.
About Bright Umbrella Theatre Company
Bright Umbrella is a professional theatre company based in East Belfast. Founded in 2017, the company is affiliated with Equity and the Independent Theatre Council.
It presents a year-round programme of produced works, visiting performances, and community events, including poetry, comedy, and music. Bright Umbrella creates theatre rooted in both classical and contemporary forms, with a strong focus on accessibility, educational outreach, and social relevance.
The company is committed to making high-quality live theatre available to working class communities and presenting stories that resonate with local experience.
About The Sanctuary Theatre
The Sanctuary Theatre is located at 1a Castlereagh Street in East Belfast. It is housed in one of the area’s oldest buildings, a former church that has been converted into a welcoming and atmospheric performance venue.
The site contains two performance spaces: a 60-seat Studio and a 120-seat main Sanctuary Theatre. Operated by Bright Umbrella, the venue hosts both in-house and visiting productions and acts as a creative hub for the local community.
The theatre is fully licensed, with a bar that opens one hour before and a
