Cyprus Avenue
David Ireland
2016 • Bloomsbury Methuen Drama
People have always said my plays were ‘too Belfast-specific’ but I don’t even think about that. To be honest, I feel like I’m only ever writing for a Belfast audience. If audiences elsewhere enjoy it, that’s all well and good but deep down in my heart I really only care what the home crowd think. There’s a quote I read one time which I think came from Michel Tremblay – ‘the more parochial you are, the more universal you become.’ I’ve always believed that.
— David Ireland
Cyprus Avenue
David Ireland
2016 • Bloomsbury Methuen Drama
People have always said my plays were ‘too Belfast-specific’ but I don’t even think about that. To be honest, I feel like I’m only ever writing for a Belfast audience. If audiences elsewhere enjoy it, that’s all well and good but deep down in my heart I really only care what the home crowd think. There’s a quote I read one time which I think came from Michel Tremblay – ‘the more parochial you are, the more universal you become.’ I’ve always believed that.
— David Ireland
Description
Eric Miller is a Belfast Loyalist. He believes his five-week old granddaughter is Gerry Adams. His family keep telling him to stop living in the past and fighting old battles that nobody cares about anymore, but his cultural heritage is under siege. He must act. David Ireland’s black comedy takes one man’s identity crisis to the limits as he uncovers the modern day complexity of Ulster Loyalism. Cyprus Avenue was first performed at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, on 11 February 2016, before transferring to the Royal Court Theatre, London in April 2016.
Interviews
- The Guardian: David Ireland – ‘I Find it Hard to End my Plays Without Violence’
- Royal Court Theatre: In Conversation with David Ireland
- The Stage: David Ireland – ‘I Feel Compelled to Write About the Troubles’
- Go London: Play Talk – 'David Ireland on Dividing Audiences, Scaring Actors and Why he Wrote The End Of Hope'
Prizes & Awards
Reviews
- Michael Billington, The Guardian
- Jane Hardy, The Irish News
- Ben Brantley, The New York Times
- Peter Crawley, The Irish Times
- Chris O’Rourke, The Arts Review
- David Chadderton, British Theatre Guide
- Aleks Sierz, The Theatre Times
- Robert Holfer, The Wrap
Audio
Video
- Royal Court Theatre: Cyprus Avenue Trailer
- Royal Court Theatre: David Ireland Interview
- Abbey Theatre: Cyprus Avenue – Audience Response
- Abbey Theatre: Cyprus Avenue in Belfast
Film or TV Adaptations
- Hawk's Well Theatre: Watch Cyprus Avenue for World Theatre Day 2020
- Front Mezz Junkies: ‘The Royal Court’s Disturbing But Brilliant Streaming Gift of David Ireland’s Cyprus Avenue ’
