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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

Book
William Butler Yeats
Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
1
First Produced
1916
Genres
Drama
Settings
Period, Simple/No Set
Time & Place
A desolate mountainside, The Irish Heroic era
Cast Size
small
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
College/University, Ensemble Cast, Small Cast, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Elderly, Young Adult Characters

Context

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Old Man

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Cuchulain/Young Man

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Three Musicians

Ensemble

Either Gender

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Baritone, Tenor, Bass, Bass-Baritone

Guardian of the Well

Ensemble

Female

Silent

Songs

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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

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Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Kevan Dunkelberg

Kevan Dunkelberg

Oklahoma-based drama teacher, actor and playwright