Full Cast Set for WIFE TO JAMES WHELAN at Jermyn Street Theatre

Jermyn Street Theatre and Mint Theater Company have announced full casting for a new production of Teresa Deevy’s Wife to James Whelan - a timeless story of love and pride which reintroduces Ireland’s forgotten genius to London audiences. Mint Theater Company’s Artistic Director Jonathan Bank directs Darragh Feehely (Bill McGafferty), Clíona Flynn (Nan Bowers), Eavan Gaffney (Kate Moran), Molly Hanly (Nora Keane), Fiach Kunz (James Whelan), Patrick McBrearty (Tom Carey), David Rawle (Apollo Moran), and Benjamin Reilly (Tom McClinsey).

Tracing seven years in the life of James Whelan, Deevy’s play explores ambition, compromise, and the role of women in Ireland, as personal desire collides with social expectation. The production will open on 1 July, with previews from 25 June, and runs until 25 July 2026 at Jermyn Street Theatre.

Jonathan Bank said, “Wife to James Whelan is a play that challenges theatergoers to hear the unspoken thoughts of its characters—and there is no better place for that than the intimate Jermyn Street Theatre. Having worked on Deevy’s plays since Mint Theater Company launched the 'Teresa Deevy Project' in New York in 2010, I now look forward to learning from an exceptional Irish cast - assembled by the brilliant casting director Sarah Jones. Thank you, Stella and David, for the opportunity to continue this work in London.”

Stella Powell-Jones and David Doyle added, “Unfairly forgotten playwrights and plays can have no better advocate than Jonathan Bank and Mint Theatre Company. And Wife to James Whelan is an extraordinary play - and asks a question we still can’t answer. How much of ourselves are we willing to surrender for the joys and comforts of partnership?  London audiences have waited far too long to encounter Teresa Deevy’s remarkable writing, but this glorious cast makes the wait more than worthwhile.”

1937, a small Irish town. Nan Bowers and her friends are waiting to hear which local lad has won a life-changing job in Dublin. James Whelan shows up triumphant and ready to celebrate with his sweetheart, Nan, only to discover that she has plans of her own. Seven years later, James comes home, flush with success. His return will affect not only Nan but the whole town.