It will then transfer to the MAC in Belfast and then to The Public Theater in New York for an extended summer run.
Cyprus Avenue – directed by Vicky Featherstone – is a co-production between the Abbey Theatre and the Royal Court Theatre, London. The play won Best New Play at the Irish Times Theatre Awards and James Tate Black Prize for Drama in 2017.
Starring Stephen Rea as Eric Miller, Cyprus Avenue takes one man’s identity crisis to the limits to uncover the modern day complexity of Ulster Loyalism.
“Gerry Adams has disguised himself as a new-born baby and successfully infiltrated my family home.”Eric 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.
“Without prejudice we’re nothing! If we don’t discriminate, we don’t survive!”
Stephen Rea won Best Actor for his portrayal of ‘Eric’ at The Irish Times Theatre Awards in 2017. He will be joined by some of the original including cast members Chris Corrigan and Amy Molloy.
“The Abbey Theatre is thrilled to be bringing David Ireland’s explosively funny and provocative Cyprus Avenue back to the Peacock Stage and on tour to The MAC in Belfast and The Public Theater its co-production with London’s Royal Court Theatre,” said Abbey Theatre Directors Graham McLaren and Neil Murray in a joint statement.
“As Britain’s relationship with Ireland and its borders falls under ever increasing, post-Brexit scrutiny, its return could not be timelier."
It will run from 30 April – 19 May 2018 and tickets can be purchased via the website abbeytheatre.ie or booking office 01 87 87 222