Evanna Lynch to Star in Production of “Under the Black Rock” at Arcola Theatre

The Arcola Theatre in London, England, has announced productions for its 2023 season. Evanna Lynch, who played the eclectic Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter films, will star in the off-West End production of Under the Black Rock.

Written by Tim Edge and directed by Ben Kavanagh, Under the Black Rock explores the tensions in Northern Ireland“at the height of the Troubles.” The synopsis from the Arcola Theatre website hails this play as “a twisting and darkly comic thriller” in which Lynch portrays Niamh Ryan, a young woman living amidst the conflict, who finds herself being pulled between a divided family, a troubled nation, and “a community where no one is quite who they seem to be.”

In an interview posted by WhatsOnStage, Lynch commented on being cast in the play, which is set in 1980s Belfast.

I’m honoured to be part of this production of Under the Black Rock, a play that boldly and compassionately explores the topic of violent extremism during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, a period in history that even as a child I knew only to ask about in hushed tones.

She went on to say that the show prompts “deep reflection” on the country’s past. Writer Tim Edge commented in the same interview that the play is dedicated to the people of Northern Ireland’s counties: Antrim, Armagh, Derry (also known as Londonderry), Down, Fermanagh, and Tyrone.

I worked and travelled extensively in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. I still maintain a deep affection for the people of the six counties. They have endured so much and deserve the consolation of optimism and relative stability.

John Nayagam (Emmerdale Farm), Flora Montgomery (Basic Instinct 2), and Jordan Walker have also been cast to perform alongside Lynch. Under the Black Rock will open at the Arcola Theatre in London, England, on March 6 and runs until March 25, with previews scheduled to start on March 2. Tickets are now available for purchase.