Overview
Synopsis
Absurd misunderstandings take center stage in this short comedy written by Irish playwright Lady Gregory. Performed for the opening night of the Abbey Theatre, which Gregory helped found, Spreading the News finds the gossipy residents of a small Irish village getting consumed by a simple misunderstanding that snowballs with lightning speed and ends with accusations of infidelity and murder. The play was one of Lady Gregory’s most popular, and was regularly performed at the Abbey Theatre throughout the early 1900s. Unlike Gregory’s other work, the play remained popular after her death, and is still performed routinely throughout the world. Relying on recognizable stock characters and dramatic irony, Spreading the News is a rapid-fire farce about the perils of gossip.
Show Information
- Book
- Lady Augusta Gregory
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 1
- First Produced
- 1904
- Genres
- Comedy, Satire
- Settings
- Period, Simple/No Set
- Time & Place
- An apple stand at the outskirts of a fair in a rural Irish village.
- Cast Size
- small
- Orchestra Size
- None
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, High School, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult Characters, Small Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
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
Occurs when the audience knows more than the characters on stage, creating tension, humor, or poignancy.
A group of performers who function as a unit in a production rather than as individuals with leading roles.
Traditional music that tells stories of everyday life and struggles, frequently featured in historical and cultural dramas.
An Irish phrase meaning 'forever,' often used in poetic or nostalgic contexts within theatre.
Idle talk that fuels character dynamics and conflict, particularly in comedies and societal plays.
An Irish exclamation of sorrow or grief, used in regional plays to reflect cultural identity and emotion.
A genre or technique that uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize human folly or societal flaws. Satire is common in political and literary theatre.
Recognizable character types used across theatrical traditions, such as the fool, villain, or ingenue.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Kevan Dunkelberg
Oklahoma-based drama teacher, actor and playwright