OVERVIEW

• Playwright

  George Fitzmaurice 

• Setting

  Roger Carmody's kitchen.

• Synopsis

  Roger Carmody spends his days making Dandy Dolls (like a poppet or a corn dolly), much to his wife’s chagrin. When he isn’t making Dandy Dolls, he’s out stealing his neighbour’s poultry. Every time he completes a doll it is stolen by the hag’s son and he has to begin all over again. A visit from the mysterious Grey Man, who takes interest in the dolls, seems to herald a change in Roger’s fortunes.

• Play Type

  Plays General
  

  Number Of Acts

  One Act

• Cast Size Male

  6

• Cast Size Female

  3

Original Production

• Date of First Production

  02 December 1945

• Production Notes

  Produced by Austin Clarke's Lyric Theatre Company.

• Producer

• Original Venue

  Abbey Theatre/Amharclann na Mainistreach
  

• Irish Premiere Notes

  Written in 1912, 'The Dandy Dolls' was rejected by the Abbey and remained unperformed for over 30 years. It is considered by many to be Fitzmaurice's finest work and has been revived on a number of occasions since his death.

Source Of Information

The information for this entry was taken from 'The Plays of George Fitzmaurice, Volume I', edited and introduced by Austin Clarke. Additional information was taken from Fiona Brennan's monograph, 'George Fitzmaurice: Wild in His Own Way', and from the Abbey Theatre website.