OVERVIEW

• Playwright

  Gerald Macnamara 

• Synopsis

  Set in Ulster 60 years from the 'present' [1929], this satirical piece takes place in a spiritualist society where all strife has ended. The past survives simply in the person of Thompson, the last-known remaining Orangeman, who is Exhibit No.1 in the hall of the Orange and Hibernian Museum. By the power of modern wireless William III is invited to attend the reformed Twelfth and open a Garden of Rememberance, on condition that Thompson joins the new order of which William approves. Thompson dies, and William indeed visits. He proves not to be to the people's liking, however, while he himself is quite disconcerted both by his findings on his short visit, and by the arrival to Ulster of Thompson's long-lost grandson. Finally, he declares himself weary and asks to be returned to the Purgatorio from whence he says he came.

• Play Type

  Plays General
  

  Number Of Acts

  Full-Length

Cast size

• Male

  6

• Female

  4

• Total

  10

• Cast Notes

  10

Original Production

• Date of First Production

  23 January 1928

• Producer

  Produced by Ulster (Literary)Theatre

• Original Venue

  Grand Opera House
  

Source Of Information

Information for this entry has come from the play script featured in Kathleen Danaher's 'The Plays of Gerald MacNamara'; from reviews of the premiere production; and from Margaret McHenry's 'The Ulster Theatre in Ireland'.