The Playboy of the Western World

Written in 1907, The Playboy of the Western World caused riots when it opened at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. Patriots considered it "a slander against the name of Ireland," and it was said that the police were called out on several occasions. At issue is a young boy, on the run, who enters a coastal Mayo town and is hailed a hero for, as he states it, killing his father. While Synge would not state "whether it was a comedy, or tragedy, or extravaganza," or even if it had a purpose, he did say, "I wrote Playboy directly, as a piece of life, without thinking, without caring." Come discover why this lovely, lyric play, so full of authentic characters and unexpected plot twists, is now considered an Irish classic.

Location:  UAA Mainstage Theatre