The W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre
Written by Sean O’Casey
Directed by Nicola Murphy
Music Director: Stephen Kennedy Murphy
By Sean O’Casey
Directed by Nicola Murphy
Saturday, March 30 at 8pm
Set in the fictional Irish village of Ballybequiet, factory foreman Beoman and church strong man Kornavaun fight for the loyalty and allegiance of the townspeople in this parody that skewers O’Casey’s favorite targets: religious and nationalist zealotry and capitalism.
O’Casey’s final published theatrical work was a collection of three plays, including the full length title play, Behind the Green Curtains. This rarely-staged work showcases O’Casey’s skills as a comic playwright.
Due to controversies in Ireland stemming from O’Casey’s ongoing criticism of the Catholic Church and Irish politics, his final works all premiered in small productions in the United States. Behind the Green Curtains received its world premiere in a student performance at the University of Rochester in 1962.
The other two short plays in the 1961 book Behind the Green Curtains are “Figuro in the Night” and “The Moon Shines on Kylenamoe;” they will be read as part of The Sean O’Casey Reading Series on March 31 at 3pm. Learn more.
All readings are free to attend. Invitations were sent via email. To request an invitation, call the Irish Rep box office at 212-727-2737.
