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Overview
Synopsis
The first of Sean O’Casey’s Dublin plays, The Shadow of a Gunman takes place in May of 1920 during the Irish War for Independence. Set in a the tenement room of Donal Davoren (a poet) and his roommate Seumas Shields (a pedlar), the play explores one day of tensions in the streets of Dublin. Donal is something of a mystery to his fellow tenants, consumed with writing while Seumas loads a case with hairpins to sell on the streets. In the midst of a normal day, Seumas’ friend Maguire bursts in, dropping off a bag and running away. Minnie Powell, a young woman alone in the world, flirts with Donal to inspire him to poetry. Tommy Owens arrives to flatter Donal and secure his own reputation as being a supporter of the Irish Republican Army. Mrs. Henderson drags Mr. Gallagher (from the neighboring building) to Donal for his approval of a complaint letter to the IRA regarding noisy neighbors - which he leaves in Donal’s care. Mrs. Grigson shows up in the evening looking for her husband, who then stumbles in drunk. Together, these characters create a colorful image of the Irish Resistance - until there is a raid on the block by British forces.
Show Information
Context
Plot
Characters
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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 Abbey Theatre is Ireland’s national theatre, founded in Dublin in 1904 by W.B. Yeats and Lady Augusta Gregory. It became a central hub for Irish cultural identity and the Irish Literary Revival. The theatre continues to promote new Irish plays and dramatists
The use of violence for political aims, depicted in theatre to challenge or reveal ideologies and social unrest.
A group of three connected dramatic works that develop a theme or narrative across multiple performances.
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Guide Written By:
Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress