The Dead
by James Joyce


Highlights
Awards & Recognition
Winner! 2000 Tony Award for Best Musical Book
Synopsis
The year is 1904 in the city of Dublin.
Gretta and Gabriel Conroy attend the Morkan Sisters annual dinner on the Feast of the Epiphany and the last day of Christmas.
An evening of laughter, music and dance ends in an epiphany for Gabriel.
Recognised as a masterpiece, The Dead , the short story from James Joyce's Dubliners, is dramatised by Frank McGuinness.
The play premiered at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, in December 2012.
Press Reviews
"Elegant… The season’s hottest ticket… marvelous."
— The New York Daily News
"A reason to celebrate… The Dead is quite revolutionary: a musical that dares to be different [and] successfully claims new ground… achieves a soft-spoken air of intimacy that has you leaning forward like a fascinated eavesdropper."
— The New York Times
"Triumphant… a theatrical treat that enchants, surprises and finally thrills with unexpected depth… It is Joyce made manifest… providing sequence after sequence of heart-stopping drama."
— The New York Post
Characters
| Character |
|---|
Aunt Kate Morkan Her sister, also a music teacher |
Mary Jane Morkan Their neice, also a music teacherTHE FAMILY |
Gabriel Conroy Julia and Kate’s nephew |
Gretta Conroy Gabriel’s wifeTHE GUESTS |
Mr. Browne A friend of the Aunts |
Freddy Malins |
Mrs. Malins Freddy’s mother |
Miss Molly Ivors |
Bartell D’Arcy An opera singerTHE HELP |
Lilly The maid |
Michael A music student of Mary Jane’s |
Rita Another student of Mary Jane’s |
Cellist A music student of Julia’s |
Violinist A music student of Kate’sGHOST |
Young Julia Morkan |
Aunt Julia Morkan A music teacher |
Videos
James Joyce's The Dead
Publication
The Dead is a British adaptation play written by James Joyce and published by Faber & Faber (2012).
Digital editions available on Amazon Kindle, Apple Books.
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Faber & Faber · 2012 · 96 pp
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Performance Rights
Restrictions: Major Markets Only (US) / Standard Restriction (UK)
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