In 1976 Polycarpou reached the final of the British TV talent show New Faces (You're a Star, Superstar) with her stage name Eve Adam.
In 1986 Polycarpou (using stage name Eve Adam) played Jenny in the National Theatre production of The Threepenny Opera, alongside Tim Curry as Macheath.
The cast included Clare Higgins in the title role, Tim Piggott-Smith as Agamemnon , Alfred Burke as Talthybius, Susan Engel as the speaking chorus, Kate Fleetwood as Polyxena, Finbar Lynch as Polymestor and Eddie Redmayne as Polydorus.
[10] The cast included David Bedella as Kevin Rosario, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt as Daniela, Sam Mackay as Usnavi, Christina Modestou as Nina and Josie Benson as Camila.
[11] In the same year Polycarpou also joined the cast of the musical revue Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris at the Charing Cross Theatre.
[17] In 1987 Polycarpou joined British Cypriot Martha D Lewis in a performance at the Edinburgh fringe festival, which led them to start a very successful collaboration as duo "Donna & Kebab".