OVERVIEW

• Playwright

  William Butler Yeats 

• Author Notes

  In this dance play I have brought together 'The Only Jealousy of Emer' and another Irish story. At the opening Cuchulain is shown fighting the waves in a frenzy of grief for he has killed his son. Then we see him lying in a bed, a seemingly drowned man, attended by his wife Emer and another. He is not dead but entranced. The Goddess Fand who loves him comes seeking to entice him away; she is defeated by the love of Emer and Cuchulain awakes. The play closes with Fand's dance among the waves, the waves of her despair. W.B.Y.

• Notes

  This play was first performed along with a revival of Lennox Robinson's 'The Whiteheaded Boy'.

• Synopsis

  Ballet-play with masks that tells the story of Cuchulain and Emer. He is in depair after killing his son and the Goddess Fand seizes her chance to entrance him, the object of her desire. Emer's love for him wins out and Fand is repelled, freeing Cuchulain from his grief.

• Play Type

  Plays General
  

  Number Of Acts

  One Act

• Cast Size Male

  4

• Cast Size Female

  8

ORIGINAL PRODUCTION

• Date of First Production

  13 August 1929

• 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 from press cuttings.