Photo Flash: First Look at Stephen Rea for David Ireland's CYPRUS AVENUE

An all new photo has been released of Stephen Rea for David Ireland's Cyprus Avenue. Check it out below!

Following sell-out runs at The Public Theater, New York, Ireland's Abbey Theatre, The MAC Belfast and The Royal Court Theatre, London, David Ireland's critically acclaimed black comedy Cyprus Avenue is returning to the Royal Court for a limited four week run Thursday 14 February 2019 - Saturday 16 March 2019 in the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs.

Stephen Rea, who won Best Actor for his portrayal of Eric Miller at The Irish Times Theatre Awards in 2017, returns with the production. Further cast to be announced. Directed by Royal Court Artistic Director Vicky Featherstone, Cyprus Avenue won Best New Play at the Irish Times Theatre Awards and James Tait Black Prize for Drama in 2017.

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!"

With Set & Costume design by Lizzie Clachan, Lighting Design by Paul Keogan and Sound Design by David McSeveney.

"When Stephen Rea makes his entrance in "Cyprus Avenue," David Ireland's bruising play at The Public Theater, it's with a gait both wary and defiant. From the way he measures his steps, you might think there were land mines beneath the blank white surface of the stage" Ben Brantley, New York Times

"Ireland is writing about the danger of living in the past and using murderous violence as a means of re-enacting battles long ago. In a world where sectarian divisions remain as potent as ever, I'd have thought that was a point well worth making" Michael Billington, The Guardian

"David Ireland's shocking new play balances humour and horror, with Stephen Rea superb" Susannah Clapp, Observer

The production, which was previously in the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, transfers to the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs where the space will be reconfigured to include onstage seating.

Cyprus Avenue is a Royal Court Theatre and Abbey Theatre production. It is an Abbey Theatre Commission. The original production at the Royal Court in 2016 was supported by Cockayne Grants for the Arts, a donor-advised fund of the London Community Foundation.

Photo Credit: Niall McDiarmid

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