The Theatre of Seán O’Casey

Description

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. Cover HalfTitle Series Title Copyright Dedication Contents Acknowledgements Abbreviations Prerumble PART 1 O’CASEY’S LIFE, WORK AND LEGACY CHAPTER 1 BIOGRAPHY, 1880–1964 Early Life Nationalism Dublin Playwright London Playwright Cream of Devonshire CHAPTER 2 DUBLIN, 1880–1926 The Shadow of a Gunman (Staged 1923) Juno and the Paycock (Staged 1924) The Plough and the Stars (Staged 1926) Former Nationalist Poetaster Music Hall Shakespeare Boucicault Dalton and Connolly Patrick Pearse Riots CHAPTER 3 REJECTION, 1926–39 AND BEYOND The Silver Tassie (Published 1928) Within the Gates (Published 1933) Autobiographies (Published 1939–54) Rejection War Stories Expressionism Autobiographies Joyce In Memoriam CHAPTER 4 COMMUNISM, 1936–46 The Star Turns Red (Published and Staged 1940) Purple Dust (Published 1940) Red Roses for Me (Published 1942) Oak Leaves and Lavender (Published and Staged 1946) O’Casey at the Barricades Location Frank Ryan Jack in the Books Red Roses for Me Shaw Can’t You Listen? Yeats CHAPTER 5 THE CHURCH, 1946–64 Cock-A-Doodle Dandy (Published and Staged 1949) The Bishop’s Bonfire (Published and Staged 1955) The Drums of Father Ned (Staged 1959) Behind the Green Curtains (Published 1961) Catholic Protests Serious God-Baiter? Real-Life Inspiration Protests Religion of the Credulous Emigration Girls are Fleein’ Unstaged CHAPTER 6 CRITICAL RESPONSES, 1923–2013 Poverty Porn Walking Away My New-Found Land Paul Shyre O’Casey and the Academy Robert Lowery O’Casey’s Death Non-Anglophone O’Casey Revisionism and the ‘Troubles’ Biographical Portrayals Towards 2016 PART 2 NEW PERSPECTIVES CHAPTER 7 Directing O’Casey Garry Hynes, in conversation with James Moran CHAPTER 8 O’CASEY’S POSTCOLONIAL DRAMATURGY CHAPTER 9 O’CASEY AND CLASS CONCLUSION Notes CHRONOLOGY BIBLIOGRAPHY Index