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Overview
Synopsis
The Playboy of the Western World takes place over two days in the countryside of Ireland. A young man (Christopher “Christy” Mahon) enters, frightened and disheveled. He slowly reveals that he has killed his father - a story which makes him a celebrity in this small village. However, his heroic status is challenged when his murdered father arrives in the village. The Playboy of the Western World not only gives a glimpse into early 20th century Ireland, but also exposes the hypocrisy and danger of idolizing supposed criminals into celebrity status and the public breakdown when the truth is revealed.
Show Information
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 3
- First Produced
- 1907
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Period, Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- mayo county, western ireland, early 20th century
- Cast Size
- medium
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, High School, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Late Teen, Elderly Characters, Medium Cast
Context
In 1907, theatre-goers rioted in the street outside the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, Ireland – outraged that their culture should be so shamelessly mocked and exploited on the stage. In The Playboy of the Western World, John Millington Synge created an ironic hero and simple Irish peasant-folk who worshipped his storytelling, his criminal exploits, and violated morals and decency. At a time when Ireland was desperate to carve an identity distinct from England and Anglo-Ireland, Irish
to read the context for The Playboy of the Western World and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
The play opens with Margaret “Pegeen Mike” Flaherty tending to her father’s public house. When he returns with some friends, she chides him for leaving her, imagining what dangers might lurk beyond the front doors. Suddenly, Christopher “Christy” Mahon staggers into Michael James Flaherty’s public-house, frightened and dirty. He is reticent to reveal himself, but after some prodding, Christy tells Pegeen Mike and her father that he has killed his own father, and left him in a ditch. At first
to read the plot for The Playboy of the Western World and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
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Lead |
Female |
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Lead |
Male |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Featured |
Male |
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Featured |
Male |
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Featured |
Female |
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Featured |
Female |
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Featured |
Female |
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Ensemble |
Either Gender |
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Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
The first Irish national theatre to open in December 1904.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress