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Cyprus Avenue
Gerry Adams has disguised himself as a newborn baby and successfully infiltrated my family home.
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 in 2016, before transferring to the Royal Court Theatre, The MAC in Belfast and The Public Theater in New York.
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 in 2016, before transferring to the Royal Court Theatre, The MAC in Belfast and The Public Theater in New York.
96 pages, Paperback
Published March 7, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
April 10, 2019
Very much in the same vein as the bloodier work of McDonagh (particularly The Lieutenant of Inishmore), it goes way over the top on several occasions and could have used some judicious editing to avoid the repetitive nature of some of the scenes. Nevertheless, I am sure it is quite effective in production, despite the absurd premise, and I'd love to have seen Stephen Rea in the lead.
February 23, 2025
I was able to watch a film made by the BBC of this play, performed in London in 2019, with Stephen Rea in the lead role. I was more or less reading along as I watched. It begins as a dark comedy and then BAM! I don’t think the shock value would have been nearly as intense if I had only been reading. I’m not sure what to think of this play other than to believe that it drives home the point that Belfast is not as far removed from the Troubles as the passage of time would imply.
June 18, 2016
http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/2667920.html
script of a play currently on in the Royal Court Theatre in London, a co-production with the Abbey Theatre, starring Stephen Rea as Eric, a Loyalist whose obsession with the idea that his daughter's baby is actually Gerry Adams drives the story through the blackest of black humour to a horrific conclusion. There are has some gloriously funny moments of banter as well as agonising interrogation of identity.
I never find it easy to judge how a script would come across on stage, and I was a bit concerned that the play might veer towards point-and-laugh-at-the-Prods. But from reviews, it sounds like the production has avoided that trap, and successfully made the wider point that sectarian hatred is something that we destructively do to ourselves. All identities are to an extent socially constructed, and we might as well accept that and move on. It's difficult to do that reflexively to both sides in Northern Ireland, but perhaps in a London show it's better to look at the Loyalists if you can only look at one. Anyway, I hope I'll have the chance to see this some day.
script of a play currently on in the Royal Court Theatre in London, a co-production with the Abbey Theatre, starring Stephen Rea as Eric, a Loyalist whose obsession with the idea that his daughter's baby is actually Gerry Adams drives the story through the blackest of black humour to a horrific conclusion. There are has some gloriously funny moments of banter as well as agonising interrogation of identity.
I never find it easy to judge how a script would come across on stage, and I was a bit concerned that the play might veer towards point-and-laugh-at-the-Prods. But from reviews, it sounds like the production has avoided that trap, and successfully made the wider point that sectarian hatred is something that we destructively do to ourselves. All identities are to an extent socially constructed, and we might as well accept that and move on. It's difficult to do that reflexively to both sides in Northern Ireland, but perhaps in a London show it's better to look at the Loyalists if you can only look at one. Anyway, I hope I'll have the chance to see this some day.
April 3, 2016
I saw this at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin and found it powerfully disturbing. In reading it, I found a lot of parallels between American racial strife and gender discrimination and the troubles of Northern Ireland--it is eerie how these issues that we see as complex history really just boil down to simple hate and the unwillingness to redistribute power equally.
Anyway, this play is about a Protestant man who thinks his granddaughter is Gerry Adams, leader of the Catholic organization Sinn Fein.
Clearly, the plot is absurd, which is part of the fun of the play. You sit back and laugh at how utterly irrational prejudice is, and you can pat yourself on the back for being very smart and progressive.
But then the play turns from comedy to horror and it dawns on you that hatred isn't just absurd and laughable--it's powerful and dangerous. It ruins families. It ends lives.
It feels shocking and over the top: you think, how could we get to this point? But isn't that the truest question of history?
Anyway, this play is about a Protestant man who thinks his granddaughter is Gerry Adams, leader of the Catholic organization Sinn Fein.
Clearly, the plot is absurd, which is part of the fun of the play. You sit back and laugh at how utterly irrational prejudice is, and you can pat yourself on the back for being very smart and progressive.
But then the play turns from comedy to horror and it dawns on you that hatred isn't just absurd and laughable--it's powerful and dangerous. It ruins families. It ends lives.
It feels shocking and over the top: you think, how could we get to this point? But isn't that the truest question of history?
December 9, 2023
Very strange book, I have to read it as absurd (Theater of the Absurd) or I can't really understand it
March 21, 2019
jesus
[update (21/03/19): having seen it tonight i have decided it is worse than i first though]
[update (21/03/19): having seen it tonight i have decided it is worse than i first though]
April 29, 2020
My star rating is a blending of a 1 for the discomfort I felt while reading most of this, a 5 for the effective/visceral nature of the writing, and a 3 for the way it approaches East Belfast.
I'm not going to go through the plot in detail, but there is a particular moment in this play that is is absolutely stunning and violent and disturbing and from that point on everything is changed. You think you're reading one thing that is fun, a little dark, humorous, and seems to have a high degree of self-awareness. Then it shifts and while very disturbing and affecting, for me undermines most of what I thought the play was about and I *think* what it was trying to be about.
That said, I would LOVE to talk about it with other that have read this or even better seen it. I had a visceral experience when reading the violence and got physically anxious imagining seeing this staged! It also ruined a night's sleep cause I was reading before bed and had to finish the play to see what the hell Ireland was trying to say. In the end I think I'm less interested in what Ireland was trying to say in the play than the way the story is told and what lessons can be drawn from that.
I'm not going to go through the plot in detail, but there is a particular moment in this play that is is absolutely stunning and violent and disturbing and from that point on everything is changed. You think you're reading one thing that is fun, a little dark, humorous, and seems to have a high degree of self-awareness. Then it shifts and while very disturbing and affecting, for me undermines most of what I thought the play was about and I *think* what it was trying to be about.
That said, I would LOVE to talk about it with other that have read this or even better seen it. I had a visceral experience when reading the violence and got physically anxious imagining seeing this staged! It also ruined a night's sleep cause I was reading before bed and had to finish the play to see what the hell Ireland was trying to say. In the end I think I'm less interested in what Ireland was trying to say in the play than the way the story is told and what lessons can be drawn from that.
July 6, 2017
The structure of this play is outstanding, the narrative unfolds in a truly gripping fashion and the logic Eric still feels he has in his insanity brings the character right off the page. Through Eric, prejudice and identity are examined from an enlightening standpoint too - well worth a read!
March 15, 2021
This was such a brilliantly disturbing read. In classic David Ireland fashion, the pacing of this play is just incredible - it builds so steadily towards the climax and makes it even more intense (which is certainly saying something because my GOD, this play is intense). There were numerous moments throughout when I physically cringed at how unbelievably AWFUL the racism/misogyny etc was, as a woman the line ‘it’s not controversial to say that all women are insane’ particularly infuriated me (which I’m sure was Ireland’s intention being the fantastic writer he is). Fucking brilliant but unbelievably disturbing play.
November 20, 2022
this was so good - it was dark comedy but was actually so unsettling. i liked how it showed ‘how utterly irrational prejudice is’ (i read this is someone else’s review) through its so ridiculous that it was funny storyline, and it does a good job exploring the reasons why people are how they are and how society shapes them to be this way
i’m looking forward to my lectures and seminars as i’m intrigued to see if they could change my opinion on it at all
i’m looking forward to my lectures and seminars as i’m intrigued to see if they could change my opinion on it at all
May 23, 2023
Read for a course: Stage Irishness.
David Ireland's Cyprus Avenue explores themes of identity, mental health, and the enduring impact of the Troubles. While I initially enjoyed its humour, the play takes a dark turn in Scene Seven. The portrayal of violence is deeply unsettling and goes beyond what I could fully embrace. While I appreciate the need for intensity in addressing certain themes, in this instance, it felt exaggerated.
David Ireland's Cyprus Avenue explores themes of identity, mental health, and the enduring impact of the Troubles. While I initially enjoyed its humour, the play takes a dark turn in Scene Seven. The portrayal of violence is deeply unsettling and goes beyond what I could fully embrace. While I appreciate the need for intensity in addressing certain themes, in this instance, it felt exaggerated.
July 27, 2023
I've been wanting to read this play for a very long time, and I was not disappointed.
Very rooted in the politics of location in Belfast, and if you are not familiar with the physical place and its idiosyncrasies it may not have the same impact on you as it would for others.
I really enjoyed this and would love to see it onstage. Thanks Trinity Library for having a copy :)
Very rooted in the politics of location in Belfast, and if you are not familiar with the physical place and its idiosyncrasies it may not have the same impact on you as it would for others.
I really enjoyed this and would love to see it onstage. Thanks Trinity Library for having a copy :)
February 26, 2024
really liked this. was apprehensive at first given all the comparisons to mcdonagh - this is way better??! couldn’t stop laughing until ya know I definitely could. loved it all the same tho. Making it a mission to see it onstage !! (and I am by no means a theatre fan?) so just goes to show you really
November 1, 2020
As funny, dark and complex as Northern Irish identity
Alternatively profound and absurd, really chilling tale of trauma in post-conflict Northern Ireland. I really want to find the Stephen Rea version that was shown on BBC iPlayer
Alternatively profound and absurd, really chilling tale of trauma in post-conflict Northern Ireland. I really want to find the Stephen Rea version that was shown on BBC iPlayer
December 14, 2020
Oh wow. This started as a hilarious comedy and ended as an absolutely horrid piece. I have a video and after reading the play, I'm seriously reluctant to watch it. It is a great play no doubt but scary af.
December 4, 2023
Short to read, genuinely really hope I get to see this on stage one day. Really intriguing play and such an interesting concept.
Warning: very violent scenes described, its not a light read despite its moments of comedic interactions
Warning: very violent scenes described, its not a light read despite its moments of comedic interactions
April 11, 2024
this book was an absurdist view on a mentally-ill man who thinks his granddaughter is a Republican Irish politician in disguise. i did enjoy it! but was also a bit unsettled with the balancing act of comedic dialogue amid the sheer visual horror in the stage directions.
April 8, 2019
Wish I could have seen it!
Read
November 18, 2019I've read few plays that have disturbed me as much as this. More reflection later.
June 1, 2020
absurd fun comes in for a rough landing
July 10, 2020
This is a play. After you read Say Nothing, read this. It is funny and disturbing all at once.
September 2, 2020
I think this might be one of the most shocking things I have ever read. Really blackly funny and disturbing.
December 21, 2020
A very funny play about anxieties after The Troubles in Northern Ireland.
February 27, 2021
If dark humor is up your alley, this politically-inspired text is worth the read.
March 5, 2021
Complex
October 20, 2021
Deeply dark and disturbing but an interesting take on Ulster's, especially to read as a second generation Catholic Irish person. Saw in person too, Rea was superb.
March 30, 2022
One of my favourite plays of all time, a pleasure to watch, a pleasure to re-read despite the unpleasantness involved.
March 18, 2023
very revealing of nabs psychology ❤️
April 5, 2023
Yikes!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews