– Ajax by Sophocles –
Damian returned to Theatre of War Productions in a powerful adaptation of Ajax on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at the News Building in London. The Theatre of War project presents acclaimed actors and Veterans who perform scenes using ancient Greek tragedies to spark conversations about the visible and invisible wounds of war, serving as a catalyst in fostering compassions, understanding and healing between diverse audiences.
Other cast members included Lesley Sharp (Scott & Bailey), Nick Holder (Peaky Blinders), David Elliot (Kilo Two Bravo), Marjolaine Goldsmith (Dress), Eduardo Jany (US Marine Corps Veteran and SVP of Global Safety and Security at News Corp), and the Chorus of UK Armed Forces Veterans. Benjamin Hall, author of Resolute, and Pete Emerson served as panelists and the event was facilitated by Artistic Director Bryan Doerries.
Cast members met veterans and families assisted by BRAVEHOUND, an organization that supports former servicemen and women by providing training and dogs to Veterans with PTSD, depression and anxiety. Their mission is to offer companionship, structure, and confidence.
This isn’t the first time Damian has participated in Theatre of War Productions. In August of 2020 during CoVid-19 lockdown, Damian performed in The Oedipus Project UK in a virtual online event. In October 2020 he again performed in the virtual event Sophocles’ Ajax and Philoctetes Project UK. Read about those productions and see photos for those events below:
Ajax
by Sophocles
Sophocles’ Ajax tells the story of a fierce warrior who slips into a depression near the end of The Trojan War, after losing his best friend, Achilles. Feeling betrayed, Ajax attempts to murder his commanding officers, fails, and ultimately, takes his own life. The play tells the story of the events leading up to Ajax’s suicide, as well as the story of his wife and troops’ attempt to intervene before it’s too late. The play also depicts the devastating impact of Ajax’s suicide upon his wife, son, brother, troops, and chain of command.
Theatre of War Productions presents community-specific, theater-based projects that address pressing public health and social issues. To learn more about Theatre of War, visit their website here.