Theatre in Context: The Dublin Stage 1900-1961

The establishment and early years of the Abbey Theatre are well documented; less is known about the overall theatrical scene in Dublin at that time and in succeeding decades. The object of this one-semester course is to explore the Dublin stage from the closing years of the nineteenth century, when melodrama was the dominant form of popular culture, through to the 1950s and 60s, a period that saw the opening of the Gate and Pike Theatres, the first Dublin Theatre Festival, and the emergence of new playwrights such as Tom Murphy. Each class will focus closely on a significant play of the period, but the text will be considered in its overall cultural, theatrical and political contexts. A range of theatrical elements from staging to reviews will be examined in an attempt to capture the essence of each production in its own time. Sessions will consist of an introductory lecture followed by a seminar. Assessment will be in two parts: one research exercise and one essay.