An actor who relocated from South Africa to London to pursue a career in the West End has shared how a battle with cancer almost shattered his aspirations.
Jarryd Nurden, originally from the coastal region of KwaZulu-Natal, dedicated six months to reclaiming his place on stage after undergoing surgery to remove half of his lung.
Having sold all his possessions to make the move to London, the 34-year-old received the distressing news of a rare cancer diagnosis known as primary malignant neuroendocrine neoplasm of the lung, or atypical carcinoid. This required him to have the lower lobe of his left lung surgically removed in order to eradicate the cancer. Residing in Balham, Wandsworth in south-west London, Jarryd faced an uncertain future regarding his return to performance.
He recounted, “Receiving that phone call felt like my whole world collapsed. Up to that moment, I had my plans in place to survive, but with this news pulling me out of action for an unknown duration, I thought, ‘I am really in trouble.’ With no savings upon arriving in this country, I was living paycheck to paycheck, unsure of my next steps.”
Upon arriving in London in October 2021, Jarryd had lined up two auditions for West End productions. He was offered what would have been his inaugural West End role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella for the spring of 2022, but the show concluded prematurely, leaving that opportunity unrealized. However, he did land a part in a Christmas panto later that year.
During that winter, Jarryd believed he had contracted the flu and continued working while doctors conducted further tests. In January 2023, he received a call from his agent with the exciting news of landing a role in We Will Rock You—his first significant West End part. That same day, doctors discovered a tumor.
He underwent keyhole surgery to remove the tumor and ascertain whether it was benign or malignant. The result was a cancerous diagnosis.
“I always describe that phone call as being submerged underwater,” Jarryd admitted. “Everything slows down, and you’re left thinking: ‘Oh, I have cancer.’ I don’t smoke or drink, and I put in a lot of effort. How could this be happening to me?”
Although the primary tumor was successfully removed, Jarryd was informed that some cancerous cells were still present, leaving him with several treatment options: chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery to remove the lower lobe of his lung. In October 2023, Jarryd underwent the surgery.
He recounted, “At one point, it felt very precarious. I wasn’t recovering as expected, and after four months in the hospital, it became necessary to perform a second open surgery to address infections. It felt like hell.”
Frightened that he might never be able to sing or dance again, he confessed to experiencing unparalleled pain. Months of healing were required, along with a chest drain due to a fistula—an abnormal connection between different parts of his body.
Although he had an opportunity to join the international tour of Chicago, he was forced to decline. In July of the previous year, a further operation was required to place stents in the fistula, leaving him unable to perform.
However, when the chance arose to participate in a September production of Chicago in China, he assured them he would be ready. Just three months post-surgery, he found himself back on stage as Mary Sunshine.
“It was a significant challenge,” he explained. “I had a single day of rehearsal in London before flying to the other side of the globe, then a mere two hours to rehearse before stepping onto the stage in the tightest of costumes.”
Overall, he felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude to be performing once more. “Experiencing something so transformative makes you realize you shouldn’t sweat the small things.”
