"what lies beneath"

OUR CAST OF CHARACTERS

SUBTEXT THEATER COMPANY PRESENTED THE WORLD PREMIERE OF A BUMP ON THE LEG, BY LEIGH JOHNSON. A CHICAGO IMMIGRANT'S BIOGRAPHICAL STORY.

JAMES MALLON

Who is James Oliver Mallon you may ask? James was born in County Armagh, Northern Ireland in 1942. At the age of 9 in 1951 he was diagnosed with cancer (a tumor) in his leg which they were set to cut off until his mother stopped the procedure. After which the newly developed Cobalt treatments were tried to no avail. It was a family friend that was able to raise enough money to send young Jimmy to Our Lady of Lourdes in Lourdes France, but just enough money to send Jimmy, not his family. He traveled alone with a group of pilgrims to Lourdes and bathed in the healing waters in search of a miracle cure of his cancer. As he returned home there was no change in his condition but there was no change in his mothers determination. Leigh Johnson poses this question to his audience, was this a miracle that happened to James Mallon or a miracle that happened for his mother?​

Seven actors portrayed 18 different roles in this black box production that was presented at the Saint Bonaventure Oratory Theatre, 1625 W. Diversey Blvd in Chicago, IL. The production opened on St. Patrick's Day March 17th, 2023. New City Newspapers sent Tristan Bruns to review the production. Read his review HERE

A talk back with playwright Leigh Johnson and the "Little Irishman" himself Jim Mallon followed every performance. Many people felt compelled to take pictures with Mr. Mallon and we were happy to oblige!