Royal Court Theatre: Cyprus Avenue

Cyprus Avenue by David Ireland was a captivating yet chilling production which clearly accentuated the struggles of Ireland's history. This enthralling and contentious play depicted issues still relevant today, which was refreshing.

Classified as ‘the most shocking play on London stage’ by the Guardian, in this black comedy Eric Miller, a Belfast Loyalist, cannot accept the past and is petrified by the future. Experiencing psychotic episodes, he mistakes his five-week old granddaughter for Gerry Adams. This convinces him that his cultural heritage is threatened, and the play concludes with him murdering the ones he loves most.

Stephen Rea, who was awarded Best Actor at the Irish Times Theatre Awards (2017) captivatingly portrayed such a disturbed character. His facade deceivingly appeared normal, but the deeper we went into the play, the further his morality disintegrated. Rea is honourably credible; his sheer naturalism rendered my sympathy to develop into frustration and disgust. His portrayal of the role took me on an emotional journey, reflecting his deteriorating mental state. The physicality was outstanding; every part of his body was reincarnated to create the corrupted character of Bill.