Explore this Show

Overview

Synopsis

The Tinker’s Wedding recounts the engagement of Michael Byrne and Sarah Casey, two tinkers (or travelers) in provincial Ireland around the turn of the century. Tagging along is Michael’s mother Mary, who despises Sarah. Camped outside a small parish in the Irish countryside, Michael and Sarah convince a priest to marry them in exchange for a small amount of gold and a tin can, made by Michael. Sarah hopes that she’ll be considered a lady after she is wed, Mary scorns her son for wanting to marry such a sinner, and Michael is generally apathetic about the whole affair. But when the priest is insulted, and threatens to turn in the group to the “peeler” (police), the trio band together to save themselves from harsh punishment. The Tinker’s Wedding is John Millington Synge’s first two-act play, told through provincial Irish dialect and mischievously vibrant characters.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1907
Genres
Settings
Period, Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
Rural Ireland, outside a chapel, 1900s
Cast Size
small
Orchestra Size
None
Dancing
None
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, High School, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult Characters

Context

Sorry, we currently do not have content for this section.

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Michael Byrne

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Sarah Casey

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Priest

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Mary Byrne

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Songs

Sorry, we currently do not have content for this section.

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

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

Sorry! We do not currently have terms for this guide.

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Quote Analysis

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Guide Written By:

Cindi Calhoun

Cindi Calhoun

Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress