The most famous and infamous play by Ireland's best loved (and hated) playwright The Playboy of the Western World, offended audiences when first produced in 1907, on account of its 'immodest' references to Irish womanhood and aroused a prolonged and bitter controversy, which lasted until the author's death in 1909. In the play Christy Mahon stumbles into the Flaherty's tavern claiming to have killed his father. He is praised for his boldness, and he and the barmaid Pegeen fall in love to the dismay of her betrothed, Shawn. ...
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The most famous and infamous play by Ireland's best loved (and hated) playwright The Playboy of the Western World, offended audiences when first produced in 1907, on account of its 'immodest' references to Irish womanhood and aroused a prolonged and bitter controversy, which lasted until the author's death in 1909. In the play Christy Mahon stumbles into the Flaherty's tavern claiming to have killed his father. He is praised for his boldness, and he and the barmaid Pegeen fall in love to the dismay of her betrothed, Shawn. The Widow Quin tries to seduce him to no avail, but eventually his father, who was only wounded, tracks Christy to the tavern, and Christy attacks him again. Old Mahon falls, and the townsfold, afraid of being implicated, bind Christy, but he is freed when his father crawls inside. Christy leaves to wander the world with a newfound confidence, and Pegeen laments betraying and losing him.
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I saw ?The Playboy of the Western World? in New York and it definitely helps to read the story ahead of time. Is Christy Mahon a hero or a villain for killing his father? He is first praised and then vilified for the crime, making you believe that it?s the fault of his society that places him in such an awkward position. Everyone is shaken by Christy?s entrance into their lives, as he stirs up the small community.
The language of the play immediately transports us to another shore, while being easy to follow. The play is a study in humor, excitement and, oddly enough, love, as we witness the growing affection between a bar maid and a rogue who possesses little more than boldness and a sly tongue.
