David Gilna, a playwright and actor from Swords in north county Dublin, impressed audiences and critics in the Big Apple with the world premiere of his very own show A Bolt From D'Blue.
David, who was struck by lightening in Boston in 2004 right before he was due to work on a movie with Vin Diesel, has turned his surreal experience into a stellar one man show which was performed at the New York Irish Center in Long Island City.
The 36-year-old is currently in LA dog-sitting for a friend and told Dublin Live about performing to an audience at the 1st Irish Festival in New York.
"This has been two and a half years in the making," he said.
"It was the world premiere of A Bolt From D'Blue in New York and everyone has been so supportive.
"To get to premiere it in New York, the home of theatre, was incredible. Because of Covid restrictions, I didn't even get to test it to audiences in Dublin.
"I was nervous but I got up there and just bled on the stage. I just told them my life story, told them about growing up in Swords, the stuff we used to get up to like playing kiss chasing, drinking cans, having your first nightclub experience.
"The festival were so supportive. I'm just soaking it all up at the moment. They want me to tour it around America."
He added: "All the hardships were leading me to this moment. All you need is one person to believe in you."
David, who used to work in Cafe Bar in Swords Village, said that he would love to perform the show for his community in Swords, explaining that he is "proud to be from Swords."
He said: "My community inspired me. I'd love to put on a show as a thanks to the village and the community."
David also stars in The Letters, a movie by Dublin filmmaker Robbie Walsh about the Cervical Check scandal, which is set to be re-released in Irish cinemas.
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