“Behind me, the sky was falling in. Slowly drifting down. That’s the last thing my broken eye saw before it all went black. Do you believe me?”

Winner, Journal Culture Awards Writer of the Year

“Carr shows a command of unexpected, absurdist detail  … an eloquent study of extreme reactions to grief” ★★★★ – The Guardian

“fierce but often comic play … bruising yet touching” – The Stage

“a complex and ingeniously plotted play about families, relationships and secrets” – British Theatre Guide

“Skilful direction by Max Roberts, a deservedly established writer and top notch performances and staging make Iris an engaging and entertaining night out” – The Chronicle

“a compelling piece of drama which tackles some huge issues … brilliant” – Break A Leg

“Carr’s writing is stunning … Iris is a great night out – but it is one you will be mulling over long after it finishes – Man About Toon

“a fascinating drama … [a] rollercoaster of emotions that underpins the most dysfunctional of relationships – NE Theatre Guide

“Carr has a golden talent for writing about feelings” – Cuckoo Review

“[Carr’s] voice is strong … eye-wateringly good” – The Northern Echo

“funny … rude … wildly imaginative and brilliantly performed” – The Journal

“Harold Pinter meets Jeremy Kyle” – The Guardian, Readers’ favourite stage shows of 2016

No one’s touched the buffet, there’s a big gap on the wall where a mirror’s fallen off and something is stinking the place out.

Julie and Ruby are sisters coming to terms with the death of formidable matriarch Iris who still manages to control their lives from beyond the grave. On the night of the funeral, Julie gets off with Gerry, the crime scene cleaner. Maybe that’ll help. It doesn’t.

When their mother’s unusual bequest unearths a story that leaves some indelible marks, something more than a deep clean is needed.

IRIS is a heady cocktail of caustic humour and tender pathos and is Alison’s first full length commission for Live. Directed by Max Roberts and presented with support from Friends of Live Theatre.

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The Iris playtext is published by Concord Theatricals

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Photographs by Live Theatre

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– News and previews –

• Journal Culture Awards | nominated for Writer of the Year
• The Guardian | Iris amongst readers’ favourite stage shows of 2016
• The Journal Interview with actor Sam Neale
• Listen to Meet the Cast event at Live Theatre, 13 Apr
• Listen to Meet the Writer event at Live Theatre, 9 Apr
• Crack Magazine Hey! Let’s have a world premiere
• An interview with NARC. Magazine
• The Journal Culture Magazine Live Theatre debut for Newcastle playwright’s latest leading lady
• Live Theatre a Word from the Writer
• Trailer released
• Production images & poster
• Shooting the Iris poster image & trailer at Whitley Bay
• Cast announced Katy Cavanagh stars in Iris
• A video interview with Live Theatre talking about the play
• British Theatre Guide Newcastle’s Live Theatre’s first in-house production this season
• The Chronicle Writer Alison Carr realises her ambition