Tag Archives: juno and the paycock

History

Juno and the Paycock Radio Recording with an Introduction by Sean O’Casey

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In a recent article on the dialects of Ireland Professor Raymond Hickey talks about how Irish and specifically Dublin accents aspirationally referenced English RP. He gives as examples James Joyce and Sean O’Casey, “listening now to recordings of James Joyce and Sean O’Casey, it’s extraordinary how English they sounded”.

Dr Liam P Ó Murchú contests this view. He gives examples of available recordings as evidence and contextualises them by pointing out that as formal recording both men probably put on their dialectical best to be understood.

The example he gives for Sean is an introduction to a 1955 radio recording of Juno and the Paycock produced by Cyril Cusak. Cusak himself plays Joxer. Juno and Captain Boyle are played by Siobhan McKenna and Seamus Kavangh. Sean’s introduction sets the scene for the play and lasts about seven minutes.

News

First Draft of Juno and the Paycock Arrives at The National Library of Ireland

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The first draft of Juno and the Paycock has been officially received by the National Library of Ireland.  The manuscript was acquired in an auction at Sotheby’s in New York. The purchase was made possible by special allocation funding from the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the NLI Trust.

The manuscript includes a handwritten draft of acts one and two of Juno and the Paycock, sections of act three, a list of characters and a synopsis of the play. The draft is in a school notebook, titled ‘Juno and the Peacock’ on the front cover.

Dr Sandra Collins, Director of the National Library of Ireland, said of the acquisition,

“We are delighted that this unique manuscript is now safely homed in the National Library. It represents a very significant addition to the NLI’s O’Casey collections, joining a substantial holding of O’Casey papers and his personal library, writing desk and other artefacts that really tell the story of this outstanding Irish playwright… This beautiful piece of Irish history and literature is as relevant for Irish actors and audiences today as it was in 1923”

Productions

Juno and the Paycock at the Gate Theatre Reviews

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Mark O’Rowe’s production of Juno and the Paycock has opened at the Gate Theatre and is receiving very positive reviews for his interpretation of this classic play.

In the Irish Independent Katy Hayes describes the production as,

A Juno of rare Chekhovian power

[T]his excellent production of this classic play is a must-see

Chris McCormack writing in The Stage describes how O’Rowe portrays,

[T]he punishing binds of addiction, poverty and religious conservatism seem aimed for the present

The production runs through 16th April at the Gate Theatre.

News

Actor Frank Finlay 1926 – 2016

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We are sad to note the death of actor Frank Finlay. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his family after a short illness.

He was a stalwart of the early years of the National Theatre under Laurence Olivier and also played in some excellent productions at the Old Vic, including playing Joxer to Colin Blakely’s Captain Boyle in Juno and the Paycock.

Finlay is best known for his television and film work including the title role in Dennis Potter’s Casanova.

As Michael Coveney writes in his obituary for The Guardian, “He was able to imply depths of feeling by doing very little.” This economy allowed Frank Finaly to be an affecting and powerful actor.

Productions

Juno and the Paycock at the Gate Theatre

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The Gate Theatre in Dublin is mounting a new production of Juno and the Paycock for 2016. The production will be directed by Mark O’Rowe with sets, costumes and lighting by Paul Wills, Joan Bergin and Sinead McKenna respectively. The cast will include Declan Conlon, Peter Coonan, Ingrid Craigie, Derbhle Crotty, Emmet Kirwan and Bríd Ní Neachtain.

Previews will begin on Thursday 11th February and
opening night is Tuesday 16th February.

“A wonderful and terrible play of futility, of irony, humour and tragedy.”

Lady Gregory

Juno and the Paycock is set in Dublin in the early 1920s during the Irish Civil War. Jack Boyle and his friend Joxer Daly are two Dublin tenement dwellers who put more effort into avoiding work than most do in securing it. Jack’s wife Juno is the breadwinner and moral powerhouse, but she can’t stop her life unravelling.

You can book tickets online now.

Productions

Juno and the Paycock First Production Staged at UTRGV

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The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is to open its first theatre season with a production of Juno and the Paycock. The Albert L Jeffers Theatre was built in 1931 but this is the first production of the newly instituted UTRGV.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Official Logo

Assistant Professor and designer Jennifer Saxton said of the choice of production,

“I think one reason we picked the play was that there were so many universal themes in it that struck us as relevant. It’s about family, and loyalty, the civil war turning neighbor against neighbor rather than uniting against an outside force now that they have left, what it means to be a mother, and the effects of poverty.”

The play will run from 7th October to11th October to If you want more information or to book tickets contact Elva Galvan at the University Theatre box office, (956) 665-3581.