Synopses & Reviews
In his early forties, while continuing to support himself as a laborer, we wrote, in quick succession three realistic plays about the slums of Dublin, known as the Dublin Trilogy.
Juno and the Paycock, the second installment of the trilogy, was performed in the Abbey Theatre in 1924—the Abbey theatre produced the first installment of the trilogy,
The Shadow of a Gunman (not included in this volume) in 1923.
Juno and the Paycock deals with the unpleasantness of war and the misery of the victims during the the Irish struggle for indepenence. It was awarded the Hawthornden Prize.
As his career progressed, O'Casey experiemented with expressionism and symbolism, which resulted in Within the Gates; Red Roses for Me, a semiautobiographical work; and Cock-a-Doodle Dandy. Due to an increase of nationalism during the Civil War and Irish Independence movement, his plays were received well, although, at times, with protest and restriction.
Synopsis
Sean O'Casey developed very early in life the two abiding concerns that were to characterize his life's work: uncontrolled vitality of language and an uncompromising social conscience. O'Casey's greatest works are not only the definitive drama from the anarchic period of political unrest and artistic ferment of early twentieth-century Dublin, they are among the most dynamic and powerful plays of the twentieth century.
Juno and the Paycock is widely regarded as O'Casey's masterpiece. This stunning blend of tragedy and comedy is set against the background of the Irish civil war. It was first presented at the legendary Abbey Theatre in 1924. Within the Gates and Cock-A-Doodle Dandy are from his middle period and first premiered in London. Red Roses for Me is one of O'Casey's last plays (1947).
About the Author
Sean O'Casey was born on March 30, 1880 in Dublin, Ireland. His first plays,
The Shadow of a Gunman,
Juno and the Paycock, and
The Plough and the Stars, also known as the Dublin Trilogy, were performed at the Abbey Theatre with great success; these plays are all collected in one volume called
The Dublin Trilogy, which is available exculsively from Faber & Faber. His many works include
The Star Turned Red,
The Silver Tassie, and
Purple Dust. He died on September 18, 1964.
Table of Contents
Plays One:
Juno and the Paycock
Within the Gates
Red Roses for Me
Cock-a-Doodle Dandy
This volume contains an introduction by Seamus Heaney.