The Plays of Thomas Kilroy

<p> <I>The Irish Times</I> called Thomas Kilroy one of the most significant playwrights of modern Ireland while <I>The Sunday Times</I> has described him as one of the outstanding living Irish playwrights and perhaps the most complete. The winner of numerous honors including a special tribute from the Irish Theatre Awards in 2003 he has written fourteen plays.</p><p> This appraisal of the works of Thomas Kilroy focuses on the common themes and methodology of his plays including an unusual alliance between serious theatrical complexity and varied but demanding forms of comedy. A separate chapter is devoted to each play with the exception of <I>The Death and Resurrection of Mr. Roche</I> and <I>The MacAdam Travelling Theatre</I> whose complementary themes are discussed together. Reflecting on the essence of theatre Kilroy's works combine meditations on humanity with references to Irish history generally using historical reality as a dramatic starting point. Plays discussed include Kilroy originals such as <I>Talbot's Box The Secret Fall of Constance Wilde</I> and <I>Blake</I> as well as adaptations of well-known works such as <I>The Seagull</I> <I>Six Characters in Search of an Author</I> and <I>Henry.</I> Interviews with stage directors (L. Parker M. Stafford-Clark P. Mason A.S. Paul) and the playwright himself contribute to this in-depth analysis of Kilroy's dramatic art. Photographs of staged plays and a list of premieres of Kilroy's works (plays and adaptations) are also included.</p>