The revival of Dion Boucicault's 'The Shaughraun' by Druid Theatre Company is a fascinating exploration of the enduring influence of a playwright often overlooked in modern Irish drama. Garry Hynes, the artistic director, argues that Boucicault's work lies at the root of modern Irish theatre, and this production challenges the notion that his melodramas are merely historical curiosities.
Hynes' decision to pair 'The Shaughraun' with Eugene O'Neill's 'Moon for the Misbegotten' in the season 'Strange Country: Ireland in the United States' is a bold move. It invites audiences to reconsider Boucicault's legacy, his politics, and the extent to which his work continues to resonate in contemporary theatre. The central challenge, as Hynes notes, is that 'The Shaughraun' cannot be treated as modern psychological realism; it must be approached with respect for its codified theatrical form.
This production's unique visual language, designed by Francis O'Connor, is a key element in bridging the gap between Boucicault's time and the present. A 19th-century Ordnance Survey map of Ireland dominates the stage, linking Boucicault's west of Ireland with O'Neill's United States. This map not only provides a practical stage design but also carries a deeper meaning, recalling Brian Friel's 'Translations' and the British state's colonial administration of Ireland.
The cast, including Aaron Monaghan, Marie Mullen, and Rory Nolan, approaches the material with seriousness, avoiding the trap of treating Boucicault's work as camp. Nolan, who plays the villain Corry Kinchela, emphasizes the importance of playing the character with emotional reality, drawing connections to Beckett's Pozzo rather than silent comedians. Monaghan, who plays Conn, the Shaughraun, argues that modern audiences have been conditioned to distrust heightened emotion, but when truly embraced, it can create a powerful response.
Monaghan's reassessment of Boucicault's genius comes from a deeper understanding of his politics. Boucicault, he notes, often portrayed ordinary people outwitting the establishment, challenging stereotypes. In 'The Shaughraun,' the informer, rather than the British soldier, receives harsh treatment, and the rogues and vagabonds become the true heroes. This subversion of expectations is a hallmark of Boucicault's genius, as he navigated the constraints of his audiences' expectations while quietly undermining them.
The influence of Boucicault's acting instincts and understanding of audience rhythms is evident in the work of subsequent Irish playwrights, from Beckett to Synge to O'Casey. The Shaughraun's revival at the Town Hall Theatre, Galway, from July 15th to 25th, is a testament to the enduring power of Boucicault's work and a reminder that, as Monaghan says, 'he’s kind of a genius.'
