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The Arts Council Playography Na Gaeilge

Plays

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The Massacre at Paris

OVERVIEW

  • Playwright

    Alex Johnston 

  • Adapted / Translated From

    Christopher Marlowe

  • Author Notes

    Adapted from Christopher Marlowe's play The Massacre at Paris.
  • Synopsis

    Christopher Marlowe's play, The Massacre at Paris, was written in 1593 about the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, when three thousand Protestants were killed in one night in 1572, in a ruthless act of state terrorism by the Catholic government. The aftermath of this massacre led to the murder of a king and a sea-change in French history. Alex Johnston's adaptation enhances Marlowe's play for the 21st century, using a mixture of new and borrowed material. Terrorism, ethnic cleansing, the politics of bigotry, corruption in high office, spin doctoring and party political broadcasts augment this withering examination of human frailty.

  • Play Type

    Adaptation/Translation

    Number Of Acts

    Full-Length

  • Cast Size Male

    11

  • Cast Size Female

    5

  • Cast Notes

    Cast doubling is possible. In the original production various other unspecified parts were also played by five actors. See original production for details.

Original Production

Original Cast  
King of Navarre Robert Price
Performer Paul Burke
Gillian Rumour Lynn Cahill
Queen Catherine de Medici Andrea Irvine
Duchess of Guise Morna Regan
Charles IX Alex Johnston
Duke of Anjou Charlie Bonner
Gonzago Paschal Friel
Mountsorrell Tony Flynn
Duke of Guise Karl Shiels
Performer Noni Stapleton
Performer Katy Davis
The Lord High Admiral David Layde
Ramus David Layde
A Soldier Declan Byrne
Performer Matthew Keenan
Performer Jason Ryan
Production Team  
Director Jimmy Fay
Lighting Designer Paul Keogan
Costume Designer Catherine Fay
Costume Assistant Michelle Butler
Fight Director Paul Burke
Music by Ivan Birthistle
Production Manager Stephen Bourke
Stage Manager Aoife Hester
Assistant Stage Manager Marion Pierce
Lighting Technician Barry Conway
PR Siobhan Colgan
Graphic Design Jonathan Parson
Photography Ros Kavanagh
Administrator Diane Jackson

Unpublished Scripts

  • Contact

    Bedrock

  • Address

    Republic of Ireland

Rights Information

  • Territory

    All Territories

  • Rights Type

    Adaptation rights

  • Contact

    Bedrock

  • Address

    Republic of Ireland

Source Of Information

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