In Eden, no longer the apple of each other’s eyes

Eugene O’Brien’s award-winning debut play, Eden, is coming to Cork’s Everyman Theatre as part of a nationwide tour.

Directed by Andrew Flynn, of Galway-based Decadent Theatre Company, the play is about a marriage breaking down and is, says Flynn, the inspiration for Pure Mule (written by O’Brien for RTÉ television). Eden is set in Edenderry, a small town in County Offaly. Billy (Patrick Ryan) and Breda (Lesley Conroy) are a couple in their early 30s. They got married in their 20s and have two children.

“The relationship has hit a flat-line,” says Flynn. “The tragedy of the play is that the couple are still in love. Set in pre-Celtic Tiger Ireland, it’s an Ireland that’s a lot different to what it is now. It isn’t easy for Breda and Billy to talk openly about things. Certain subjects are taboo.”