Nine Irish Plays for Voices

Nine Irish Plays for Voices is a collection of short plays that bring Irish history and culture to life through a collage of documents, songs, poems, and texts. The plays explore important moments in Irish history, such as the Great Famine and the Easter Rising, and the lives of Irish literary figures like Yeats, Joyce, and Lady Gregory. The language of the plays incorporates traditional song lyrics, lines of Irish poetry, and letters and speeches of the time, creating a dramatic collage that tells a story through the voices of characters contemporary to the period. The plays facilitate a close, intimate relationship between players and the audience, creating an incredibly powerful connection to the past.

Format: Hardback
Length: 360 pages
Publication date: 03 April 2023
Publisher: Fordham University Press

Nine Irish Plays for Voices is a captivating collection of short plays that bring Irish history and culture to life through an extraordinary collage of documents, songs, poems, and texts. Written by award-winning poet Eamon Grennan, these plays delve into a wide range of Irish subjects, encompassing both significant historical events and literary figures.

The plays draw from original material, focusing on important moments in Irish history, such as the Great Famine and the Easter Rising, as well as the lives of Irish literary giants like Yeats, Joyce, and Lady Gregory. They also explore the impact of emigration on the lives of individuals and communities.

Grennan's use of rhythmic, musical, and vivid language in his plays incorporates traditional song lyrics, lines of Irish poetry, and letters and speeches from the period. This creates a dramatic collage that tells a story through the voices of characters contemporary to the period of the plays subject. By presenting subjects through the dramatic rendering of the human voice, the plays facilitate a close, intimate relationship between players and the audience, creating an incredibly powerful connection to the past.

One of the plays, "Ferry," is entirely drawn from the author's imagination. It takes unnamed characters from the world of twentieth-century Ireland on a journey to the underworld with the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein. On their journey, the five strangers, played by two voices, share stories about their lives, raising questions about how language both captures and transforms lived experience.

Another play, "Hunger," uses documentary evidence to give a powerful account of the Great Famine. Through the voices of characters who lived through the famine, the play explores the devastating effects of hunger, poverty, and social injustice on individuals and communities.

In conclusion, Nine Irish Plays for Voices is a remarkable collection of short plays that offers a fresh and engaging perspective on Irish history and culture. Through the use of diverse literary forms and the dramatic rendering of the human voice, Grennan's plays facilitate a deep connection between players and the audience, allowing them to experience the past in a meaningful and emotional way. Whether you are interested in Irish history, literature, or the power of language, these plays are a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the rich tapestry of Irish culture.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781531502546