The Theatre Of Sean O Casey

This Critical Companion to the work of one of Ireland's most famous and controversial playwrights, Sean O'Casey, is the first major study of the playwright's work to consider his oeuvre and the archival material that has appeared during the last decade. Published ahead of the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising in Ireland with which O'Casey's most famous plays are associated, it provides a clear and detailed study of the work in context and performance. James Moran shows that O'Casey not only remains the most performed playwright at Ireland's national theatre, but that the playwright was also one of the most controversial and divisive literary figures, whose work caused riots and who alienated many of his supporters. Since the start of the 'Troubles' in the North of Ireland, his work has been associated with Irish historical revisionism, and has become the subject of debate about Irish nationalism and revolutionary history. Moran's admirably clear study considers the writer's plays, autobiographical writings and essays, paying special attention to the Dublin trilogy, The Shadow of a Gunman, Juno and the Paycock, and The Plough and the Stars. It considers the work produced in exile, during the war and the late plays. The Companion also features a number of interviews and essays by other leading scholars and practitioners, including Garry Hynes, Victor Merriman and Paul Murphy, which provide further critical perspectives on the work.

This Critical Companion to the work of one of Ireland's most famous and controversial playwrights, Sean O'Casey, is the first major study of the playwright's work to consider his oeuvre and the archival material that has appeared during the last decade. Published ahead of the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising in Ireland with which O'Casey's most famous plays are associated, it provides a clear and detailed study of the work in context and performance. James Moran shows that O'Casey not only remains the most performed playwright at Ireland's national theatre, but that the playwright was also one of the most controversial and divisive literary figures, whose work caused riots and who alienated many of his supporters. Since the start of the 'Troubles' in the North of Ireland, his work has been associated with Irish historical revisionism, and has become the subject of debate about Irish nationalism and revolutionary history. Moran's admirably clear study considers the writer's plays, autobiographical writings and essays, paying special attention to the Dublin trilogy, The Shadow of a Gunman, Juno and the Paycock, and The Plough and the Stars. It considers the work produced in exile, during the war and the late plays. The Companion also features a number of interviews and essays by other leading scholars and practitioners, including Garry Hynes, Victor Merriman and Paul Murphy, which provide further critical perspectives on the work.

Successfully produced by New York's prestigious Manhattan Theatre Club. This is Lanford Wilson territory--a country kin to Hot L Baltimore... --NY Times.

The next installment inThe Faber Critical Guides Series: An in-depth look at the maverick Irish playwright Sean O'Casey was one of the most affecting playwrights of his generation; a renegade who came of age at the dawn of Ireland's fight for independence from Britain and championed the working-class during the bleak years of The Great Depression. Praised for his genius-ear for dialogue and the poetry of his prose, O'Casey's work brought audiences into the gritty, impoverished world of Dublin's streets and pubs. His controversial plays helped establish the reputation of the internationally renowned Abbey Theatre, where the productions ofThe Plough and the StarsandJuno and the Paycockwere met with riots and vigorous protests. InSean O'Casey, Christopher Murray examines the abovementioned works as well asThe Shadow of a Gunman, which taken together comprise O'Casey's famed Dublin trilogy, and elucidates the social context of the plays and the theatrical environment of the times--crucial elements in understanding O'Casey's writing.

The shadow of a gunman - Juno and the paycock - The plough and the stars - The silver Tassie - Red roses for me - Cock-a-doodle dandy - The bishop's bonfire.