Playboy of the Western World by J.M. Synge - Book Report/Review Example

Download file to see previous pages... There is one more reason of huge popularity of the play in the repertoire of the Abbey Theatre. The reason is connected to the historical background of the play. In the beginning of the 20th century Ireland tried to determine its own position in the modern world, and the Aran Islands where the play was set, was one of the poorest regions of the country, and peasants' community played rather important role in social life. So, the colourful language of local people and good display of their habitual life features attracted the audience's attention. The Abbey Theatre is one of the most significant theatres in Ireland, and it is not surprising that J. M. Synge's Playboy of the Western World became one of the most popular plays in its repertoire. In addition to that, the Abbey Theatre of Ireland makes abroad performances of the play (in Philadelphia, for example) - it illustrates its popularity and expressiveness it spite of initial riots, and "This outrage only increased the popularity of the play and Synge's celebrity at the time. And now the play is perceived as the crowning achievement of this most highly regarded of Irish playwrights" (AISLE SAY Philadelphia).

3. Synge's use of language and examination of the Irish character contributed much in a lasting way to the repertoire of the Abbey Theatre of Ireland. Irish character and language of local people played very important role in the play perception by its spectators. There are some important themes in the play which uncover the nature of the Irish character, and these themes were shown in comic and expressive manner that hadn't been done before. One of the play's features is that it acts in an Irish county Mayo...
This book review discusses how Synge's use of language and examination of the Irish character contributed in a lasting way to the repertoire of the Abbey Theatre, one of the leading theatres in Ireland. Different aspects of the play and its features which led to the popularity of the play in the repertoire of the Abbey Theatre were also discussed. Playboy of the Western World, a play written by J.M. Synge, became one of his best works. Firstly it was performed in 1907 in the Abbey Theatre, and it attracts spectator’s attention even today. Playboy of the Western World is written in expressing theatrical language which is not as common as it was in the beginning of the 20th century in Ireland – this feature of the play makes it more interesting and unusual for us. There are many theatres which perform Playboy of the Western World, and there are many admirers of Synge’s talent, and skilful actors perform the characters of the play realizing its plot, genre and themes. The researcher states that this play became the most famous work of Synge, and the Abbey Theatre often includes this play to its repertoire – such skilful, humorous and expressive depiction of the Irish character and rich, fascinating and wonderful language of the characters of the play attract public attention in many countries. The researcher then concluds that despite of initial negative reaction, theatrical audience appreciates Synge’s talent and his ability to uncover social problems and features of Irish rural people in such manner. ...Download file to see next pagesRead More