Explore this Show
Overview
Synopsis
John Millington Synge’s The Well of the Saints tells the story of Martin and Mary Doul, a blind husband and wife who beg along the side of a village road. A traveling saint comes to the village, carrying water from the famous well of the saints. He heals the pair, returning sight to them. However, rather than being thankful, Martin turns scornful when he realizes that his wife was not the great beauty the villagers claimed she was. Mary retaliates and mocks her husband, and she is sent away from him. Before the play is over, Martin and Mary are blind once again, and must decide whether they will subject themselves to healing once again, or instead embrace humility and thankfulness in their darkened world.
Show Information
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 3
- First Produced
- 1905
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- Rural Irish village, early 1900s
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- None
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, High School, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Adult, Young Adult, Elderly Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
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
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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