OVERVIEW

• Playwright

  Seumus O'Kelly 

• Synopsis

  The play tells of the election of a new doctor in the town, where many townspeople opt to vote for the most influential rather than the most qualified candidate. John Kirwan, the chairman of the local board of guardians, is one of several who accept bribes towards this end. When Kirwan's wife falls ill, however, the newly-installed corrupt doctor is incompetent and unable to help. The only other medic available is the unsuccessful candidate, but by the time he arrives it is too late and Kirwan has lost his wife and child.

• Play Type

  Plays General
  

  Number Of Acts

  Full-Length

• Cast Size Male

  11

• Cast Size Female

  4

Original Production

• Date of First Production

  18 December 1913

• Producer

  Produced by Abbey Theatre/Amharclann na Mainistreach

• Original Venue

  Abbey Theatre/Amharclann na Mainistreach
  

Source Of Information

The information for this entry was taken from the original production programme and Ireland's Abbey Theatre: A History 1899-1951 by Lennox Robinson, with additional information from press cuttings of the time