Syllabus
1. Introduction
2. Brian Friel, Translations
3. Tom Murphy, Bailegangaire
4. Frank McGuinness, Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching towards the Somme
5. Sebastian Barry, The Steward of Christendom
6. Martin McDonagh, The Cripple of Inishmaan
7. Martin McDonagh, The Pillowman
8. Conor McPherson, The Weir
9. Conor McPherson, The Seafarer
10. Marina Carr, The Mai
11. Marina Carr, By the Bog of Cats
12. Arthur Riordan & Bell Helicopter, Improbable Frequency
Annotation
OBJECTIVES The course charts the vibrant territory of Irish drama of the last three decades. It examines the nature of the Irish dramatic canon and the features of what typically passes for an “Irish play”, and proceeds to discuss the most recent tendencies as manifest in the highlights of the theatre in Ireland. Principal issues to discuss within the context include the gradual shift from re-negotiations of collective identity towards a focus on the individual, the influence of British and American drama, the role of globalisation in theatre practice, and the politicality of drama and theatre in a globalised context. SCHEDULE
1. Introduction
2. Brian Friel, Translations
3. Tom Murphy, The Gigli Concert
4. Frank McGuinness, Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching towards the Somme
5. Sebastian Barry, The Steward of Christendom
6. Martin McDonagh, The Cripple of Inishmaan
7. Marina Carr, The Mai
8. Conor McPherson, The Weir
9. Mark O’Rowe, Terminus, Conor McPherson, Port Authority
10. Arthur Riordan & Bell Helicopter, Improbable Frequency
11. Enda Walsh, The Walworth Farce SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY Lonergan, Patrick. Theatre and Globalization. Irish Drama in the Celtic Tiger Era. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan,
2008. Murray, Christopher. Twentieth-century Irish Drama: Mirror up to Nation. Manchester: Manchester University Press,
1997. Roche, Anthony. Contemporary Irish Drama. 2nd ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan,
2009. Jordan, Eamonn. Dissident Dramaturgies: Contemporary Irish Theatre. Dublin: Irish Academic Press,
2010. Grene, Nicholas. The Politics of Irish Drama. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,
1999. Jordan, Eamonn, ed. Theatre Stuff: Critical Essays on Contemporary Irish Theatre. Dublin: Carysfort Press,
2000. Bolger, Dermot, ed. Druids, Dudes and Beauty Queens: The Changing Face of Irish Theatre. Dublin: New Island,
2001. Maguire, Tom. Making Theatre in Northern Ireland: Through and Beyond the Troubles. Exeter: University of Exeter Press,
2006. Weitz, Eric. The Power of Laughter: Comedy and Contemporary Irish Theatre. Dublin: Carysfort Press,
2004. Pilný, Ondřej. Irony and Identity in Modern Irish Drama. Prague: Litteraria Pragensia,
2006. Credit requirements consist of
1. Regular attendance and active participation in debates (based on the assigned reading). A maximum of 2 unexplained absences is allowed.
2. Oral presentation of 20 min duration.
3. A final essay (minimal length 3 000 words). The essay topic must be consulted with the instructor in advance.