David Ireland‘s black comedy Cypress Avenue joins the growing list of theatre productions being made available online to the public as a direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic and closing of all UK theatres.
The Royal Court Theatre and The Space will make the film adaptation of Ireland’s play available on the Royal Court Theatre’s website and social media platforms for one month from 27 March 2020.
This hard hitting black comedy starring Stephen Rea ( The Crying Game, The Honourable Woman) tells the story of a man struggling with the psychological effects of Northern Irelands intergenerational sectarian traumas and who is also terrified of the future. The piece was awarded Best New Play at the Irish Times Theatre Awards and the James Tait Black Prize for Drama in 2017.
Directed by Royal Court Artistic Director Vicky Featherstone, the cast also features Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo, Chris Corrigan, Andrea Irvine and Amy Molloy.
Vicky Featherstone said; “Last year we were fortunate enough to make a film of our production of Cyprus Avenue by David Ireland with BBC Four and The Space. We were going to put it up on our website for a month from 27th March – World Theatre Day. We still are. But now the world has changed immeasurably it is an opportunity to watch some theatre, free, at home, safely and remember that when we all return to each other, great plays and great performances which entertain and help us understand the world we live in, like this, will be filling your theatres for you to enjoy. Don’t forget about us. We will be back.”
Watch Cypress Avenue here.
Content Warning: Cyprus Avenue contains strong language, discussion of sectarian themes and scenes of extreme violence that some viewers may find disturbing. For this reason, we will be putting a 18+ rating on all direct posts containing the film.
