The Playboy of the Western World (Drama Classics Edition)
by John Millington Synge

Name: The Playboy of the Western World (Drama Classics Edition)
Brand: John Millington Synge
SKU: 9780713643220
Rating: 3.55 (112 reviews)

The Playboy of the Western World (Drama Classics Edition) Cover

The Playboy of the Western World (Drama Classics Edition) Book Cover — The Playboy of the Western World (Drama Classics Edition) Cover

Highlights

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1900-1910Room for ExtrasInterior SetPeriod CostumesIrish Comedy

What readers are saying

Readers have mixed feelings about this play. Many appreciate its portrayal of Irish life and humor, often praising its lyrical dialogue and engaging characters. However, some find it less enjoyable when read, expressing a preference for experiencing it on stage rather than in text form.

Lyrical and poetic dialogueEngaging and entertaining charactersRich depiction of Irish cultureBetter experienced on stageSome find it anticlimactic

Synopsis

Synge's evocative play of Irish country life scandalized the public and caused riots at the premiere in 1907.

Though it was branded indecent and salacious, Synge's most celebrated play is actually quite charming and timeless as it follows the travails of the hapless Christopher 'Christy' Mahon.

During a quarrel, he strikes his father with a spade and leaves him for dead.

Taking it on the lam, he finds his way to a village pub where his deed makes him a hero.

Young Pegeen Mike falls in love with Christy due to his exploits and the skill with which he tells of them.

The Widow Quin, and other female townspeople, also fall under the romantic spell of this self-styled hero of the people.

Eventually Christy's not-quite-dead father hunts down his son.

When the villagers discover that his father is truly alive they shun him for a coward.

Trying to reclaim his former glory and Pegeen's love, Christy kills his father once again in front of the entire town.

Watching this violent act shocks the townspeople and they call for Christy's execution to save themselves from the law.

Luckily for Christy his father is not-quite-dead a second time and the father and son duo leave to wander the world together.

Pegeen is left behind as she laments "I've lost the only playboy of the western world."

Press Reviews

"A work of art....Preserves the fresh music of country speech."
— The New York Times

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Michael James Flaherty The owner of the tavern	—	—	The owner of the tavern
Margaret Flaherty His daughter, called Pegeen Mike	female	—	His daughter, called Pegeen Mike
Widow Quin A woman of about thirty	female	—	A woman of about thirty
Shawn Keogh Her cousin, a young farmer and Pegeen's betrothed	female	—	Her cousin, a young farmer and Pegeen's betrothed
Old Mahon His father	male	—	His father

Videos

The Playboy of the Western World - Exchange Theatre Seattle - Conclusion

Available Editions

Format	Publisher	Year	Pages	ISBN-13	Price
Paperback	Samuel French	—	—	9781854592101	C$15.23
Paperback · New	New Mermaid	1997	144	9780713643220	C$16.44

Publication

PublisherSamuel French

Year1997

BindingPaperback

EditionNew

Pages144

LanguageEnglish

ISBN-139780713643220

ISBN-100713643226

The Playboy of the Western World (Drama Classics Edition) is a Irish comedy play written by John Millington Synge and published by Samuel French (1997).

Digital editions available on Amazon Kindle.