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The Arts Council Playography Na Gaeilge

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The Midnight Court

A Traditional Opera

OVERVIEW

  • Playwright

    David Marcus 

  • Adapted / Translated From

    Brian Merriman (1)

  • Author Notes

    The Midnight Court was Seán Tyrell's musical adaptation of David Marcus's English language translation of Brian Merriman's original poem 'Cúirt an Mheáin Oíche'.
  • Setting

    The Shores of Loch Gréine, near Feakle in Co. Clare and the court of Queen Aeval of Munster.

  • Synopsis

    A traditional Irish musical interpretation of 'Cúirt an Mheáin Oíche' written in the late 18th century, which celebrates the rights of women to wholesome sex and wholesome marriage. The action takes the format of a poet attending a case in the royal court of Munster where the male sex is under attack.

  • Play Type

    Adaptation/Translation

    Number Of Acts

    Full-Length

  • Cast Size Male

    4

  • Cast Size Female

    7

  • Cast Notes

    Cast doubling is possible. See original production for details.

Original Production

  • Date of First Production

    18 July 1992

  • Production Notes

    Co-produced with Aeval Productions.
  • Producer

    Produced by Druid

  • Original Venue

    The Mick Lally Theatre

Original Cast  
Weedy P.D. T.D. Sean Keane
Una the Prosecutor Mary McPartlan
Contrary Mary Bernie O'Mahony
Queen Aeval of Munster Rosie Stewart
Supermac Man Johnny Mullins
Fr. O'Flynn, OFM (outrageous fiddling maniac) Liam Lewis
Ann of a Thousand Ways Sharon Murphy (2)
Sister Sheila (Carmelite) Carmel Dempsey
Sal of the Century Kathie Prince
Merriman the Poet Sean Tyrrell
Bailiff Mary McPartlan
Production Team  
Director Maeliosa Stafford
Designer Monica Frawley
Lighting Designer Stephen McManus
General Manager Jane Daly
Music by Sean Tyrrell
Production Manager Tony Killeen
Stage Manager Terence White
Stage Manager Moya McHugh
Stage Manager Angela Duffy
Stage Manager Bernie Walsh
Technician Shannon Light
Technician Eamonn Fox
Set Construction Alan Clarke (1)
Scenic Artist Geraldine O'Malley
Wardrobe Monica Ennis
Wardrobe Assistant Martha Comer
Crew Frank Gleeson
Administrator Anne Butler

Published Scripts

  • Title

    The Midnight Court

  • Year

    1990

  • Published By

    Poolbeg Press

  • Address

    Baldoyle Industrial Estate
    Dublin 13
    Republic of Ireland

  • Phone

    + 353 1 8321 477

  • ISBN

    1853710601

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Rights Information

  • Not Found

Source Of Information

The information for this entry was taken from the original production programme and promotional flyer.