Considered a masterpiece from one of Ireland’s greatest playwrights, A Whistle in the Dark is a raw family drama and a seminal example of the Angry Young Men literary movement of the 1950s. The play centers on the Carneys, a brutish Irish family with a propensity for crime and violence, and the escalating tensions within it. At issue is the future of the youngest son, Des. Elder brother Michael is determined to help Des escape the family and realize his potential, while father Dada and his three other sons insist on toughening Des up and preparing him for a life of violence. A Whistle in the Dark is a challenging play that paints a scathing portrait of Irish immigrants as perceived by the English. It offers challenging roles for strong male actors who can embody the characters’ brutishness and physical violence.
A Whistle in the Dark guide sections
