The Beauty Queen of Leenane [Paperback]

This Student Edition of Martin McDonagh'sThe Beauty Queen of Leenanefeatures expert and helpful annotation, including a scene-by-scene summary, a detailed commentary on the dramatic, social and political context, and on the themes, characters, language and structure of the play, as well a list of suggested reading and questions for further study and a review of performance history.

Set in the mountains of Connemara, County Galway,The Beauty Queen of Leenanetells the darkly comic tale of Maureen Folan, a plain and lonely spinster in her early forties, and Mag her devilishly manipulative ageing mother whose interference in Maureen's first and potentially last loving relationship sets in motion a train of events that is as gothically funny as it is horrific. Maureen might long for the romance that will spirit her away, but if she goes, who will stir the lumps out of Mag's Complan?

The Beauty Queen of Leenanewas first presented as a Druid Theatre/Royal Court Theatre co-production in January 1996. An instant classic from its first performance,The Beauty Queen of Leenaneestablished Martin McDonagh as the natural successor to Oscar Wilde and Joe Orton. The Oscar and Bafta-winning writer's other films and plays includeIn BrugesandThe Pillowman.

Martin McDonagh's first playThe Beauty Queen of Leenanewas nominated for six Tony awards, of which it won four, and the Laurence Olivier Award. In 2003, his playThe Pillowmanhad its world premiere at the Royal National Theatre and received the 2004 Olivier Award. In 2006, Martin McDonagh won an Oscar for his short filmSix Shooter.

The Beauty Queen of Leenanetells the darkly comic tale of Maureen Folan, a plain and lonely woman in her early forties, and Mag her manipulative ageing mother whose interference in Maureen's first and potentially last loving relationship sets in motion a train of events that is as gothically funny as it is horrific.