An essential, entertaining and highly original guide to the history and performance of Irish theatre.Chris Morash's widely-praised account of Irish Theatre traces an often forgotten history leading up to the Irish Literary Revival. He then follows that history to the present by creating a remarkably clear picture of the cultural contexts which produced the playwrights who have been responsible for making Irish theatre's world-wide historical and contemporary reputation. The main chapters are each followed by shorter chapters, focusing on a single night at the theatre. This prize-winning book is an essential, entertaining and highly original guide to the history and performance of Irish theatre.Chris Morash's widely-praised account of Irish Theatre traces an often forgotten history leading up to the Irish Literary Revival. He then follows that history to the present by creating a remarkably clear picture of the cultural contexts which produced the playwrights who have been responsible for making Irish theatre's world-wide historical and contemporary reputation. The main chapters are each followed by shorter chapters, focusing on a single night at the theatre. This prize-winning book is an essential, entertaining and highly original guide to the history and performance of Irish theatre.Chris Morash's widely-praised account of Irish Theatre traces an often forgotten history leading up to the Irish Literary Revival. He follows that history to the present by creating a picture of the cultural contexts which produced the playwrights responsible for making Irish theatre's worldwide historical and contemporary reputation. This book is an essential guide to the history and performance of Irish theatre. Hb ISBN (2002): 0-521-64117-9Acknowledgements; List of illustrations; Introduction; 1. Playing court: 16011692; A night at the theatre 1: Pompey, Smock Alley, February 10, 1663; 2. Stage rights, 16911782; A night at the theatre 2: Mahomet, Smock Alley, March 2, 1754; 3: 'l&