David Ireland Remembers... Cyprus Avenue
Episode 32 · 2026-09-20
- Documentary
- Talk
Episode overview
Described by critics in 2016 as 'a powerhouse', 'jaw-dropping', 'hysterical' and 'the most shocking play on the London stage', David Ireland's Cyprus Avenue won huge international praise when it first opened and gave actor Stephen Rea the role of a lifetime in Eric, an Ulster Protestant who believes his recently born granddaughter is Gerry Adams. Here, writer David Ireland shares the story of how the play was born - from the first bizarre germ of idea that got him started, through to the casting and the challenges that came with his decision to make the leader of Sinn Fein so central to his narrative. David's recollections also include details of his approach to writing, his feelings on the filming of theatrical productions generally and his thoughts on the importance of catharsis and comedy when it comes to modern plays.
19 minutes
Season 5 episodes
1. Christopher Biggins Remembers… Rentaghost2026-01-03
2. Mike Leigh Remembers… Nuts in May2026-01-10
3. Richard Eyre Remembers… Ibsen2026-01-18
4. Trevor Eve, Juliet Stevenson and David Thacker Remember… A Doll's House2026-02-08
5. Roy Clarke Remembers… Open All Hours2026-02-10
6. Michael Palin Remembers… Number 272026-02-11
7. Derek Jacobi Remembers... Breaking the Code2026-02-18
8. Simon Schama Remembers... A History of Britain2026-03-03
9. Janet Suzman Remembers... Hedda Gabler2026-03-15
10. Daniela Nardini Remembers... This Life2026-03-18
11. Charles Dance Remembers... Little Eyolf2026-03-29
12. Stephen Poliakoff Remembers... Caught on a Train2026-05-06
13. Andrew Davies Remembers... A Very Peculiar Practice2026-05-20
14. Ken Loach Remembers... Up the Junction2026-06-10
15. Ken Loach Remembers... The Old Oak2026-06-10
16. Michael Palin Remembers... Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure2026-06-14
17. W Stephen Gilbert Remembers... Only Connect2026-06-17
18. Midge Ure Remembers… The Prince’s Trust Rock Gala 19862026-06-20
19. Peter Flannery Remembers... Our Friends in the North2026-06-24
20. Mackenzie Crook and Martin Freeman Remember… The Office2026-07-08
21. Monty Don Remembers... Geoff Hamilton2026-08-01
22. Bill Paterson Remembers... The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, Black Oil2026-08-02
23. Sally Magnusson Remembers... Mastermind2026-08-03
24. Lady Antonia Fraser Remembers... The Birthday Party2026-08-09
25. Simon Sebag Montefiore Remembers... Rome: A History of the Eternal City2026-08-19
26. Dame Maureen Lipman Remembers... Absurd Person Singular2026-08-30
27. Peter Egan Remembers... A Taste of Honey2026-09-06
28. Spencer Banks Remembers... Penda's Fen 2026-09-09
29. Selina Thompson Remembers... Salt2026-09-13
30. Stephen Tompkinson Remembers... The Deep Blue Sea2026-09-13
31. Andrew Davies Remembers... Middlemarch2026-09-16
32. David Ireland Remembers... Cyprus Avenue2026-09-20
33. Mary Moore Remembers... Henry Moore2026-09-28
34. David Bamber Remembers... My Night with Reg2026-10-04
35. Lesley Manville Remembers... Top Girls2026-10-11
36. Janet Suzman Remembers... The Singing Detective2026-10-14
37. Chris Terrill Remembers...Soho Stories2026-10-26
