The Plough and the Stars by Sean O’Casey
-A Synopsis-
April 16, 2016 marks the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising of 1916. I am proud to direct The Plough and the Stars and allow the play to become a vehicle to teach the performers about Irish history while exploring Sean O’Casey’s rich text and dynamic characters. – Ranney Performing Arts Director John Doyle
The play opens with gossip by Mrs. Gogan; a catholic charwoman. We also meet husband and wife, Jack and Nora Clitheroe, Fluther Good, a trade unionist and a carpenter, The Young Covey, Jack’s cousin and an ardent communist, as well as Uncle Peter Flynn, uncle to Nora. Bessie Burgess their not so neighborly neighbor and a protestant, comes in complaining about Nora and the other residents of the tenement. Later in the first act, Captain Brennan knocks on the door of the Clitheroes' home and asks to see "Commandant Clitheroe," which surprises Jack Clitheroe, as he was not aware he'd been promoted. Nora begs him not to answer the door, but he does, and meets Captain Brennan - a chicken butcher and a member of the Irish Citizen Army. Captain Brennan hands Jack Clitheroe telling him that he and his battalion are ordered to join General James Connolly at a meeting. Jack Clitheroe asks why he was not informed that he was made commandant. Captain Brennan claims he gave a letter Nora Clitheroe explaining his new promotion. The act closes with Jack and Nora having a big fight. Later Mrs. Gogan’s ill daughter Mollser comes in to keep Nora company.
Act II is in the public house. A political rally is in progress outside. From time to time, an unnamed man is heard addressing the crowd. His words are taken from various speeches and writings of Patrick Pearse. Rosie Redmond complains to the pub owner that the meeting is bad for business. Peter Flynn, Fluther Good and Young Covey come in and leave again at intervals, having a quick drink during the speeches. Bessie Burgess and Mrs. Gogan also come in, and a fight breaks out between them. After they have left, Covey insults Rosie, leading to a row between him and Fluther. Jack Clitheroe, Lieutenant Langon and Captain Brennan enter the bar, in uniform and carrying The Plough and the Stars flag and a green, white and orange tri-color. They are so moved by the speeches that they are determined to face imprisonment, injury or death for Ireland. They drink quickly and leave again in time to march their respective companies away. Fluther leaves with Rosie.
Act III takes place on Easter Monday, the opening day of the Easter Rising. Bessie gloats about the Rebels' imminent defeat. The residents loot the shops of Dublin. Brennan and Jack appear with a wounded rebel, but Jack ignores Nora's pleas to leave the fighting. She then goes into labor.
Act IV takes place later in the rising. Mollser Gogan has died of tuberculosis, while Nora has had a stillbirth. She is delirious, imagining herself walking in the woods with Jack. Brennan arrives and tells the others that Jack has been shot dead. Two British soldiers arrive and escort the men away — civilians are suspected of aiding a rebel sniper. Nora goes to a window, calling for Jack; when Bessie pulls her away, Bessie is shot in the back, mistaken for a sniper.