Jarryd Nurden, a talented theatre actor, is back on the West End stage only six months after enduring a surgery that resulted in the removal of half of his lung due to a rare form of cancer.
Originally hailing from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Nurden had always aspired to light up the West End. His journey in performing arts dates back to childhood when he sang in choirs.
After taking a leap of faith to move to London—selling his belongings for a visa—his dreams took a sharp turn when, just two years later, he was hit with a devastating diagnosis: primary malignant neuroendocrine neoplasm of the lung, commonly known as an atypical carcinoid. This rare lung cancer led to an extended hospital stay that changed his life.
The surgery to remove the lower lobe of his left lung meant he had to face a long and uncertain recovery, casting doubts over his potential as a performer.
“The moment I received that phone call hit me hard, changing my world entirely,” reflected the 34-year-old. “I had it all planned out, but now I was looking at a very uncertain future. It felt like I was completely ruined.”
Jarryd began his theatrical journey back in 2013 with a production of West Side Story in his home country. His journey escalated internationally when he toured with Cats in 2014.
After securing a UK visa in August 2021, he arrived in London, having spent around £11,000 to make his dream a reality. Early 2022 was meant to kick off his first West End role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella, but the show closed unexpectedly.
Later in the year, he fell victim to what he presumed was a severe flu, which turned out to be something far more alarming—lung cancer.
“I was aware of some scarring on my lung from a medical check five years earlier,” he explained. “We thought it was scar tissue from a childhood drowning incident.”
Believing he was healthy, he continued performing throughout the holiday season, even while doctors were puzzled about his growing symptoms.
In January 2023, Dr. gave him exciting news: he landed a leading role in We Will Rock You—his first major role in the West End. That very day, he received the grim update from Guy’s hospital about a tumor’s sinister discovery and alarming growth from two centimeters to four.
They called for keyhole surgery to determine the tumor’s nature, whether benign or malignant.
<p“As performers, our bodies are our tools. With everything on the line, I urgently asked my doctor, ‘Can I still do this show? I signed the contract earlier that day; this is a dream I have worked my whole life for, and I can't let it slip away again.’”
After a series of tests and the keyhole surgery back in August 2023, the results flagged that the tumor identified was indeed cancerous.
“That phone call was surreal, like being submerged underwater. Things felt like they were in slow motion. The words that resonated were, ‘You have cancer.’ I lead a healthy lifestyle—no smoking or heavy drinking. How could this happen to me?” reminisced Nurden.
Despite the positive outcome of having the main tumor removed, Jarryd was informed that some cancerous cells persisted. He faced a choice between chemotherapy and radiotherapy or a lobectomy—he chose surgery.
In October 2023, enduring a completion lobectomy—to get rid of any remaining cancer painful-complications emerged post-operation.
“Recovery was brutal. The initial surgery had its challenges, and I was in the hospital battling infections for four long months. At one point, it felt like I might never dance or sing again. That was the most pain I’ve ever felt,” he disclosed.
He received critical financial aid through Actors’ Trust, helping him stay afloat during his hiatus from work.
After months of healing, where Jarryd had a chest drain owing to a fistula, he even had to turn down an incredible offer to star in the international tour of Chicago.
Fast forward to July 2024: another operation was on the horizon to insert stents into the troublesome fistula!
However, as Chicago reached out with another opportunity for the September international tour to China, he committed to working hard to ensure he’ll be prepared—I mean, who wouldn’t?
“I just have to give it my best shot; that’s all I can do,” he said optimistically.
Just three months post-surgery, he miraculously reclaimed the stage, stepping into the role of Mary Sunshine in the musical.
“I couldn’t believe how much courage I had summoned, but the reality is it was a necessity,” he noted candidly. “It was a do-or-die moment. You take the hand you’re dealt and play it with all your might.”
The challenges he faced were numerous. Jarryd managed just a one-day rehearsal in London, a flight across the globe, followed by a hectic two-hour prep before hitting the stage in the most revealing costumes.
“I wasn’t feeling too fabulous but soldiered through it for the fabulousness of the show!” he chuckled.
The overwhelming emotions that hit him when he took his first bow upon returning to the stage felt surreal. He embraced that moment with every ounce of gratitude.
Every bow he took was filled with extraordinary gratitude towards being in the spotlight once more, performing in a show he adores with a company that cherished him deeply.
“I felt immensely proud,” he shared, reflecting on his comeback. “Surviving such a radical experience gives you a new outlook. You truly start valuing life more than you did before.”
“You start appreciating your skills and the opportunity to bounce back after something so crazy. You learn to let go a bit more in your performances; your inner judgments lighten up. It’s a refreshing second chance at life after all.”
