Playography is currently undergoing an essential rebuild, technical update and maintenance. All updates are on hold until the rebuild is complete. We are continuing to work hard in the background and are still accepting submissions which will be complete in Autumn 2023. For more information visit ITI's website.

Plays

Printer Friendly

Martha

OVERVIEW

  • Playwright

    St. John Greer Ervine 

  • Setting

    The sitting-room of the Mahaffy's home situated near Queen's University Belfast, in the present.

  • Synopsis

    Martha, an unselfish, kind girl, has devoted her life to looking after her thoughtless professor father and family members. Her dedication is tested when Albert, an adopted son of the family who was subsequently rejected, returns. He shows Martha that she has other options, and rouses awareness in her of her family's selfishness. When news subsequently comes of a property inheritance for Martha in America she has to make a choice, and weigh her option of family pleadings against the possibility of a life of her own.

  • Play Type

    Plays General

    Number Of Acts

    Full-Length

  • Cast Size Male

    4

  • Cast Size Female

    5

ORIGINAL PRODUCTION

Original Cast  
Martha Margaret D'Arcy
Bertha Catherine Gibson
Mr. Harkness James Greene
Professor Henry Masterson Mahaffy M.A. Harold Goldblatt
Agnes Mahaffy Elizabeth Begley
Catherine Lucie Young
Albert Denis Hawthorne
Mrs. Blatchley Jean Lundy
Denis Robert Bernal
Production Team  
Director Harold Goldblatt
General Manager Harold Goldblatt
Stage Director Dan Fitzpatrick
Stage Manager Joan Keenan
Records and Reproduction W. Erskine Mayne
House Manager Maurice O'Callaghan

RIGHTS INFORMATION

SOURCE OF INFORMATION

Information for this entry was taken from cuttings, and from the original production programme held at the Theatre and Performing Arts Archive of the Linen Hall Library, Belfast.