Contemporary Irish Drama Second Edition [Hardcover]

A revised and updated version of this pioneering study covers the extraordinary revival of Irish drama in the second half of the twentieth century. By comparing the theatre of Samuel Beckett to more culturally specific Irish plays, the book establishes a greater international and theatrically experimental context for the field than has been recognised. Its three central chapters offer close and contextualised readings of the careers of Brian Friel, Tom Murphy and Thomas Kilroy across a span of more than four decades. The drama of Northern Ireland and its theatrical response to political violence receives sustained attention through a wide range of playwrights, including Frank McGuinness, Gary Mitchell, Christina Reid and Anne Devlin. A new chapter considers the work of such younger playwrights as Martin McDonagh and Marina Carr who emerged in the 1990s to probe the shortcomings of the 'Celtic Tiger' phenomenon. The book draws on significant productions of the period and will prove invaluable for students and theatregoers alike.Acknowledgements Introduction Beckett and Behan: Waiting for Your Man Friel's Drama: Leaving and Coming Home Murphy's Drama: Tragedy and After Kilroy's Doubles Northern Irish Drama: Imagining Alternatives The 1990s and Beyond: McPherson, Barry, McDonagh, Carr Notes Select Bibliography Index

'Much has changed in Irish theatre in the decade and a half since Anthony Roche's peerless survey of contemporary Irish Drama was first published...The appearance of this revised and updated second edition isa welcome opportunity to reacquaint oneself with one of the seminal books on the subject in recent years...Chapters on Brian Friel, Thomas Kilroy and Tom Murphy add considerable ballast to an intelligently written, well argued and essential book on a still vital tradition.' - Michael Quinn, The Stage

'Professor Roche's new edition of his book allows him to add a fascinating survey of the drama of the Celtic Tiger period. In thil“p