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The Playboy of the Western World

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The Playboy of the Western World

By: J. M. Synge
Narrated by: Cyril Cusack, Siobhan McKenna
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Summary

One of the best-known Irish playwrights, John Millington Synge premiered The Playboy of the Western World in 1907. It immediately provoked controversy, eventually resulting in the infamous "Playboy" riots.

It has been recorded and adapted many times, but this timeless recording stars the Irish actors who made it a classic, including Siobhan McKenna and Cyril Cusack.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2008 Naxos Audiobooks (P)2008 Naxos Audiobooks Ancient, Classical & Medieval Literature Drama European Historical Fiction World Literature

Editor reviews

One of the best-known plays by one of Ireland's most famous playwrights, and starring some of the country's top actors of the 20th century. In this memorable tale, Christy Mahon arrives at a village pub claiming to have killed his tyrannical father, and the villagers embrace him - at least until his father returns. Siobhan McKenna plays one of her best-known roles as the innkeeper's daughter who showers Mahon with affection, while the famed Cyril Cusack is excellent as the mysterious stranger himself. A play that's both poetic and funny, with a wonderful use of local dialect.
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Strange indeed that a self-confessed murderer would be so well treated, and the murder so recent, but ah... the 'spake' on them is captivating. Will definitely listen to this again several times over.

Highly recommended.

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‘On the stage one must have reality, and one must have joy,’ Synge writes in his Preface. It is difficult to imagine a more gorgeous sound recording than this one, which does full justice to Synge’s language.

thrilling to listen to

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I wanted to listen to this book to get a greater sense of society in Ireland in the 1800’s (to complement my ancestry studies). It’s a lovely book and fantastic narration by Cyril Cusack. I’d downloaded the American version first, and the failed accents killed my enthusiasm). A simple but insightful book which I loved listening to!

A lovely insight into Irish life I’m in 1800’s

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A most accurate and authentic re-enactment you could not hope for. The accents were very laboriously reconstructed and gave you a vivid sense of the plays intended realism. Listen at your own pleasure.

A most accurate and authentic re-enactment.

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