This thesis discusses the plays of Irish playwright Conor McPherson in the context of the Celtic ... more This thesis discusses the plays of Irish playwright Conor McPherson in the context of the Celtic Tiger. This study first seeks to clarify McPherson's work by distancing it from that of Martin McDonagh and others that are a part of a genre called "In-Yer-Face Theatre" as coined by theorist Aleks Sierz. The study then uses Kenneth Burke's "cluster analysis" to describe two of McPherson's plays-This Lime Tree Bower and The Weir-as artifacts of an Irish culture that is changing in response to Celtic Tiger. Next, McPherson's plays Port Authority and Shining City are discussed as artifacts of a changed, or "new," Ireland, that exists at the end of the Celtic Tiger. Finally, the conclusion makes a case for McPherson's place amongst the great writers of Irish theatre-Yeats, Lady Gregory, Synge, and Friel-because of the history revealed within the timelessness of his plays. iii Dedication This thesis is dedicated to my wife Allison and to my amazing children. Without them, this work would have been impossible. Their unfailing support and love were a constant force of strength, which drove me throughout my research. Thank you-I love you.
In 2011, the Irish government funded an initiative called “Imagine Ireland,” bringing some 400 cu... more In 2011, the Irish government funded an initiative called “Imagine Ireland,” bringing some 400 cultural events to forty US states. These events were meant to spark interest in Irish arts and culture, while shaping the ways in which Americans think about Ireland and Irish culture, broadly defined. Supported by this initiative, the Abbey Theatre's tour of playwright/director Mark O'Rowe's Terminus represented a bold programming choice.
This thesis discusses the plays of Irish playwright Conor McPherson in the context of the Celtic ... more This thesis discusses the plays of Irish playwright Conor McPherson in the context of the Celtic Tiger. This study first seeks to clarify McPherson’s work by distancing it from that of Martin McDonagh and others that are a part of a genre called “In-Yer-Face Theatre” as coined by theorist Aleks Sierz. The study then uses Kenneth Burke’s “cluster analysis” to describe two of McPherson’s plays—This Lime Tree Bower and The Weir— as artifacts of an Irish culture that is changing in response to Celtic Tiger. Next, McPherson’s plays Port Authority and Shining City are discussed as artifacts of a changed, or “new,” Ireland, that exists at the end of the Celtic Tiger. Finally, the conclusion makes a case for McPherson’s place amongst the great writers of Irish theatre—Yeats, Lady Gregory, Synge, and Friel—because of the history revealed within the timelessness of his plays.
This thesis discusses the plays of Irish playwright Conor McPherson in the context of the Celtic ... more This thesis discusses the plays of Irish playwright Conor McPherson in the context of the Celtic Tiger. This study first seeks to clarify McPherson's work by distancing it from that of Martin McDonagh and others that are a part of a genre called "In-Yer-Face Theatre" as coined by theorist Aleks Sierz. The study then uses Kenneth Burke's "cluster analysis" to describe two of McPherson's plays-This Lime Tree Bower and The Weir-as artifacts of an Irish culture that is changing in response to Celtic Tiger. Next, McPherson's plays Port Authority and Shining City are discussed as artifacts of a changed, or "new," Ireland, that exists at the end of the Celtic Tiger. Finally, the conclusion makes a case for McPherson's place amongst the great writers of Irish theatre-Yeats, Lady Gregory, Synge, and Friel-because of the history revealed within the timelessness of his plays. iii Dedication This thesis is dedicated to my wife Allison and to my amazing children. Without them, this work would have been impossible. Their unfailing support and love were a constant force of strength, which drove me throughout my research. Thank you-I love you.
In 2011, the Irish government funded an initiative called “Imagine Ireland,” bringing some 400 cu... more In 2011, the Irish government funded an initiative called “Imagine Ireland,” bringing some 400 cultural events to forty US states. These events were meant to spark interest in Irish arts and culture, while shaping the ways in which Americans think about Ireland and Irish culture, broadly defined. Supported by this initiative, the Abbey Theatre's tour of playwright/director Mark O'Rowe's Terminus represented a bold programming choice.
This thesis discusses the plays of Irish playwright Conor McPherson in the context of the Celtic ... more This thesis discusses the plays of Irish playwright Conor McPherson in the context of the Celtic Tiger. This study first seeks to clarify McPherson’s work by distancing it from that of Martin McDonagh and others that are a part of a genre called “In-Yer-Face Theatre” as coined by theorist Aleks Sierz. The study then uses Kenneth Burke’s “cluster analysis” to describe two of McPherson’s plays—This Lime Tree Bower and The Weir— as artifacts of an Irish culture that is changing in response to Celtic Tiger. Next, McPherson’s plays Port Authority and Shining City are discussed as artifacts of a changed, or “new,” Ireland, that exists at the end of the Celtic Tiger. Finally, the conclusion makes a case for McPherson’s place amongst the great writers of Irish theatre—Yeats, Lady Gregory, Synge, and Friel—because of the history revealed within the timelessness of his plays.
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Papers by C. Austin Hill