Historical drama

THE ‘Playboy riots’ in the Abbey Theatre 100 years ago bring to mind how Barry Fitzgerald, later one of the most famous of all Irish actors, engaged in fisticuffs with a member of the audience, all because of the use of the word ‘shifts’.

Synge’s Playboy of the Western World is an actor’s delight. Pegeen Mike has been a challenge for most leading actresses. The definitive performance of Christy Mahon, however, came from the actor genius from Listowel, Eamon Keane, brother of the similarly gifted playwright, John B Keane.

Thomas Studley

Orwell Road

Rathgar

Dublin 6.