The Playboy of the Western World

John M Synge

• Publisher: Mercier Press
• Year: 1986
• ISBN:
  9781781175910
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Drama
• Index: Literature

John Millington Synge's classic work set in Mayo. A mysterious traveller, Christy Mahon, arrives in the village believing he has killed his father. He is looked upon as a hero by the locals and falls in love with one of them, Pegeen Mike, who agrees to marry him. But when Christy's 'murdered' father appears on the scene, Christy's fortune takes a downturn with comic and tragic result.The Playboy of the Western World is, undoubtedly, Synge's masterpiece. It was produced at the Abbey Theatre in 1907 and provoked an immediate riot and continuing controversy. This edition of the play is introduced by renowned Kerry actor Éamonn Keane whose interpretation of the role of Christy Mahon ranks him with the greatest actors to have played this part.

The Playboy of the Western World

Act I

Country public house or shebeen, very rough and untidy. There is a sort of counter on the right with shelves, holding many bottles and jugs, just seen above it. Empty barrels stand near the counter. At the back, a little to left of counter, there is a door into the open air, then, more to the left, there is a settle with shelves above it, with more jugs, and a table beneath a window. At the left there is a large open fire-place, with a turf fire, and a small door into inner room. Pegeen, a wild-looking but fine girl, of about twenty, is writing at table. She is dressed in the usual peasant dress.

Pegeen [Slowly as she writes.] Six yards of stuff for to make a yellow gown. A pair of lace boots with lengthy heels on them and brassy eyes. A hat that is suited for a wedding day. A fine-tooth comb. To be sent with three barrels of porter in Jimmy Farrell’s creel cart on the evening of the coming Fair to Mister Michael James Flaherty. With the best compliments of the season. Margaret Flaherty.

Shawn Keogh [A fat and fair young man comes in as she signs, looks around awkwardly, when he sees she is alone.] Where’s himself?

Pegeen [Without looking at him.] He’s coming. [She directs letter] To Mister Sheamus Mulroy, Wine and Spirit Dealer, Castlebar.

Shawn [Uneasily] I didn’t see him on the road.

Pegeen How would you see him [licks stamp and puts it on letter] and it dark night this half-hour gone by?

Shawn [Turning towards door again.] I stood a while outside wondering would I have a right to pass on or to walk in and see you, Pegeen Mike [comes to fire] and I could hear the cows breathing and sighing in the stillness of the air, and not a step moving any place from this gate to the bridge.

Pegeen [Putting letter in envelope.] It’s above at the crossroads he is, meeting Philly Cullen and a couple more are going along with him to Kate Cassidy’s wake.

Shawn [Looking at her blankly.] And he’s going that length in the dark night.

Pegeen [Impatiently] He is surely, and leaving me lonesome on the scruff of the hill. [She gets up and puts the envelope on dresser, then winds clock.] Isn’t it long the nights are now, Shawn Keogh, to be leaving a poor girl with her own self counting the hours to the dawn of day?

Shawn [With awkward humour.] If it is, when we’re wedded in a short while you’ll have no call to complain, for I’ve little will to be walking off to wakes or weddings in the darkness of the night.

Pegeen [With rather scornful good humour.] You’re making mighty certain, Shaneen, that I’ll wed you now.

Shawn Aren’t we after making a good bargain, the way we’re only waiting these days on Father Reilly’s dispensation from the bishops, or the Court of Rome.

Pegeen [Looking at him tea...

Table of contents

• Introduction
• Preface
• Persons in the Play
• The Playboy of the Western World
• Glossary
• The Works of J. M. Synge
• Bibliography
• About the Author
• About the Publisher