Playwright David Ireland: from 'The Troubles' to romantic comedy
David Ireland is an Irish playwright with a reputation for writing hard-hitting drama such as The Fifth Step , Ulster American and Cypress Avenue , but director Max Elton is reviving a very different play by him, Most Favoured , which can be seen at Soho Theatre in London over the Christmas period. BTG David Chadderton spoke to David about the play and his influences as a writer, as well as how his love of Shakespeare began in a Blackpool guest house at the age of 9 and why he wants to write romantic comedies and feels he couldn't face watching some of his earlier plays now. Most Favoured , starring Lauren Lyle and Alexander Arnold, will run at Soho Theatre in London from 11 December 2025 to 24 January 2026. (David Ireland photo credit Tommy Ga-Ken Wan)