Set in the aftermath of the Good Friday Agreement, a new play considering the human cost of Northern Ireland’s political struggle comes to both Islington and Hackney this week.

Belfast Girl: A Love Story arrived at the Babble Jar in Stoke Newington High Street and finishes tonight (Thursday) before moving onto the Precinct Theatre in Packington Square, Islington tomorrow (Friday) through to Sunday.

The piece follows Annie, the Belfast Girl of the title, who is a working class protestant who grew up during the troubles.

Her marriage to Orangeman Billy is on the rocks, and an unexpected visit from English Catholic Dave, her childhood sweetheart who she hasn’t seen since her teens, brings matters to a head in an explosive manner.

The play is written and directed by John Dunne, and features Mary Tynan as Annie and Ian Macnaughton as Dave.

Belfast Girl: A Love Story is a new take on a long-running theme in John Dunne’s work. Previous versions Belfast and A Belfast Boy have both received critical acclaim from the press.

Performances at both venues start at 7.30pm