Cyprus Avenue at Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Deborah Mackenzie
An extremely captivating dark humorous play about the struggles of Ireland’s history. It depicts issues still relevant today; not just in Ireland but the world over, portrayed in bare reality of what we think rather than say.
Cyprus Avenue is the tale of Eric (David Hayman) who is a Belfast Loyalist who is stuck in the past. His daughter has recently had a baby girl who Eric believes is Gerry Adams, the Sinn Fein leader. He believes that his home has been infiltrated and his Protestant culture is under threat.
Eric tries to convince his wife Bernie; going so far as drawing a beard on the five-week-old girl and getting her glasses to prove his point. Taken into hospital he is confronted with more change of times, a black psychiatrist which is overwhelming to him. Being made aware he is in a safe space he tells his story and how he had to act.
Written by celebrated playwright, David Ireland, born in Northern Ireland and known for Ulster American, his part in Derry Girls and Sky Atlantic series The Lovers. In February 2023, with David Hayman as Eric won a CATS Award for Outstanding Performance.
The stark set of an office/living room in grey added the impact of Eric’s troubled mind; how he drifted in and out of reality as he was required to act as he was losing all reality. As with all civil struggles in society, there are casualties; some can continue as normal, others struggle with mental illness that is all too real. It is covered with dark humour and ways to cope; but those closest to you don’t understand when it all starts to unravel and the actions often violent and frightening are acted upon.
This show spoke to me from the angle of mental health as my adult son suffers from psychosis and the struggles are real. Even though the break down stemmed from growing up and living through sectarianism in Ireland and how as life changes you can start to question yourself of who and how you fit into the now changed world.
Ireland’s masterful journey through highs and lows, laughter and gasps to sheer horror and disgust keeps you sitting on the edge waiting until the climax, which after it comes you wish it wasn’t so.
The audience was captivated from start to finish, with a lot of laughter, gasps and sharp intakes of breath. Definitely a show that will linger in my mind for a long time; it has already made me question the frailty of life; how we become who we are from the times and places where we grow up.
I highly recommend seeing this show; the most outrageous acts left me shocked. Even though I do not understand a lot about the Irish conflict, you will be able to understand this production as it weaves a dark tale of a mans conflicted mind.
Cyprus Avenue has a running time of approximately 1 hour 40 mins with no interval.
Contains strong language, racism, homophobia and discussion of sectarian themes and scenes of extreme violence (including towards a baby) that audience members may find disturbing.
https://www.paviliontheatre.co.uk/shows/cyprus-avenue/
Tickets: Tuesday 27th February to Saturday 2nd March 2024
7:30pm nightly with 2:30pm matinee on Saturday.
£17.50 to £29.50
Rating: 5/5