The 3:30 at Cheltenham: Kenneth’s play tackles the theme of gambling addiction

Springfield actor and writer Kenneth Hudson is delighted to present his new play ‘The 3:30 at Cheltenham’, which tackles the theme of gambling addiction and which will be featured in the upcoming ‘Scene and Heard’ Festival of New Work.

A past pupil of St Mark’s Community School, he started acting when he was 12-years-old in the school musical ‘Phantom of the Opera’.

He then went to Carousel Theatre School in Rua Red for 8 years and then went to study theatre performance in Inchicore College of Further Education and Bow Street Academy.

He started writing as a way to put down some creative ideas in his head but the concept for ‘The 3:30 at Cheltenham’ came when he saw a show in the Civic Theatre titled ‘Weekend Warrior’ by another Tallaght native, Tony Doyle.

He wanted to use his creative voice to highlight issues he felt are not given enough light and gambling addiction was one of them.

This week, we sat down with Kenneth to discuss the production.

What is the synopsis of ‘3:30 at Cheltenham’?

‘3:30 at Cheltenham’ follows the character of Andy Williams.

He places a bet on a horse race for his grandfather which then leads to him building a close relationship with him.

On the anniversary of his death, he takes on one of his grandfather’s goals.

To win one hundred thousand euro on horse racing.

The play follows him as he descends deeper and deeper into problem gambling and his pride and ego land him in scenarios, he never would have thought would happen to him.

It is a fast-paced thrill ride that highlights the dangers of gambling adddiction and when the fun stops, stop.

How much time has been dedicated to this production?

I began writing this play around three years ago.

I went to see a show called Weekend Warrior by Tony Doyle, another Tallaght native and it got me thinking of addiction.

I felt gambling addiction is not treated with the same severity as alcoholism or drug addiction and I wanted to explore it and highlight it.

I took my time with it as I did not want to rush it.

I wanted an authentic and true story to unfold.

What kind of work is involved in preparing for performances like this?

A lot! I am currently working as the shows producer too so it is a lot of emails being sent out to industry professionals, brainstorming marketing ideas to connect us with a large audience and just really trying to get the show as accessible to people as much as possible.

I am also playing the title character so I’m in character prep for that at the moment as well as everything else so a lot of work is involved but I would not change it for the world.

It is teaching me so much about the business side of it.

What are your plans for your career after the show has finished its performances?

So the dream is to set up a tour of the show in Irish Theatres around the country and get it to reach as many people as possible.

Then I am going to move to London and start to really focus on my acting and writing career over there as there is so much opportunity in London and also so many exciting possibilities for collaboration with fellow actors and writers.

I would love to get a tour of the show in London theatres too.

The dream is to one day perform on The Abbey stage and also in Londons The National Theatre.

Who would you like to thank for helping you with this production?

Everyone who has listened to me ramble on about this story for the last three years.

My family for always supporting me and encouraging me to chase my dreams.

My mentors and tutors from college have always championed me.

My friends and girlfriend who are there to remind me of the goal when things get very stressful and overwhelming and who are just behind me every step of the way.

Smock Alley and the Scene and Heard festival of new work, Clíona Dukes and Caoimhe Connelly who have believed in the work and who have given me this amazing opportunity and platform to showcase what is just the beginning of The ‘3:30 at Cheltenham.’ Jonathan Quigley who is the director of the show and my best friend and Darragh Conway and Louise Bourke who are actors in the show and who love the story as much as I do.

I am very blessed with the support I have around me.

The production can be seen on Sunday, February 18 at 4.30pm in Smock Alley Theatre as part of the Scene and Heard Festival of New Work.