Overview
Synopsis
For 50 years, Old Man has camped on a desolate mountainside, hoping to get a drink of the miraculous water said to offer immortality. But every time the water rises in the well, he is overcome with a sudden urge to sleep. A young man named Cuchulain arrives, convinced he will successfully drink from the well. Drawing from Irish mythology and heavily influenced by Japanese Noh Theatre, this one-act play is highly stylized and symbolic, with a patterned screen representing the scenery and the well represented by a blue cloth. The actors move like puppets and wear masks or makeup to represent a mask. Three musicians play a gong, a drum, and a zither to underscore their movements. The play is written in verse, lending poetry to the language. This one-act play is a valuable resource for exploring both Noh theatre and Irish mythology.
Show Information
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Baritone, Tenor, Bass, Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Ensemble |
Female |
Silent |
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:
Kevan Dunkelberg
Oklahoma-based drama teacher, actor and playwright