Why did The Playboy of the Western World cause riots in Dublin?

The play's initial Dublin premiere in 1907 provoked violent protests because theatregoers felt it offensively caricatured rural Ireland.

Who are the main stars in the National Theatre's production of The Playboy of the Western World?

The current London production features Nicola Coughlan and Siobhan McSweeney, known for their roles in 'Derry Girls'.

When is The Playboy of the Western World running at the Lyttelton National Theatre?

The production is scheduled to run until February 28.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Synge's Classic Play Fails to Ignite London Stage

Synge's Classic Play Fails to Ignite London Stage

12 Dec

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Summary

The 1907 premiere of The Playboy of the Western World caused violent protests in Dublin.
Nicola Coughlan and Siobhan McSweeney star in the current London production.
The play's rustic dialect and pacing challenge modern audiences, leading to a sluggish performance.

Synge's Classic Play Fails to Ignite London Stage

The historic play, The Playboy of the Western World, which famously triggered violent brawls upon its 1907 Dublin premiere due to its portrayal of rural Ireland, is currently being staged at London's Lyttelton National Theatre. The production features notable actors Nicola Coughlan and Siobhan McSweeney from the popular TV show 'Derry Girls', though their presence has not incited the dramatic reactions of the past.

Headlining the cast is Irish actor Eanna Hardwicke as Christy Mahon, a drifter who arrives in a Mayo bar claiming to have murdered his father. This tale instantly elevates Christy's status and offers Coughlan's character, Pegeen, an escape from an unwanted betrothal. The plot thickens with the arrival of McSweeney's Widow Quin and the unexpected reappearance of Christy's supposedly deceased father, leading to escalating chaos.