Plays

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The Only True History of Lizzie Finn

OVERVIEW

  • Playwright

    Sebastian Barry 

  • Setting

    Weston-super-mare, Somerset and Inch, County Kerry in the 1890s.

  • Synopsis

    Lizzie, performing in Weston-super-Mare, is wooed in unorthodox, even distracted fashion by a fellow Kerryman returned from the Boer War and haunted by his experiences in Africa. Won over by his 'wildness', it is only on her arrival in Ireland that she realises he is of the landlord class, one of those whose rent demands led to her own family's rootlessness. The Only True History of Lizzie Finn examines the social and religious prejudices in Ireland of the 1890s in a powerful human history. Like the colourful heroes of the Old West, Barry's young lovers write their private histories of adventure, romance and new beginnings.

  • Play Type

    Plays General

    Number Of Acts

    Full-Length

  • Cast size

  • Male

    17

  • Female

    14

  • Total

    31

  • Cast Notes

    Cast doubling is possible. See original production for details. Two musicians were also featured in the original production.

Original Production

Original Cast  
Jelly Lane Marion O'Dwyer
Birdy Doyle Birdy Sweeney
Factotum Birdy Sweeney
Rector Birdy Sweeney
Colonel Cody Roy Hanlon
Lord Castlemaine Roy Hanlon
Cavalry Man Darren Lawless
Pierrot Darren Lawless
Ballerina Shereen Lawlor
Miss America Shereen Lawlor
Indian Glen Mulhern
Ventriloquist Glen Mulhern
Musician Anthony Drennan
Lizzie Finn Alison Deegan
Bartholomew Grady Eamon Kelly
Robert Gibson Lorcan Cranitch
Lady Castlemaine Marion O'Dwyer
Theresa Fionnuala Murphy
Tilly Fionnuala Murphy
Zulu Warrior James Hosty
Indian James Hosty
Britannia Lynda Gough
Annie Oakley Lynda Gough
Pearley Queen Liz Roche
Squaw Liz Roche
Pearley King Pepe Roche
Sitting Bull Pepe Roche
Lucinda Gibson Joan O'Hara
Musician Greg Boland
Production Team  
Director Patrick Mason
Set Designer Joe Vanek
Lighting Designer Mick Hughes
Costume Designer Joan O'Clery
Costumes Abbey Theatre Wardrobe Department
Sound Dave Nolan
Choreographer David Bolger
Music by Shaun Davey
Staff Director Bríd Ó Gallchóir
Stage Director John Stapleton
Assistant Stage Manager Catriona Behan
Assistant Stage Manager Carrie Rooney
Set Construction Abbey Theatre Workshop
Photography Amelia Stein
Programme Irish Theatre Publications

Published Scripts

  • Title

    Sebastian Barry Plays 1

  • Year

    1997

  • Published By

    Methuen

  • Address

    Head Office, 215 Vauxhall Bridge Road
    London SW1V 1EJ
    England

  • Phone

    + 44 (0)20 7798 1600

  • Website

    www.methuen.co.uk

  • ISBN

    041371120X

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Rights Information

  • Territory

    All Territories

  • Rights Type

    All Rights

  • Contact

    Independent Talent Group

  • Address

    40 Whitfield Street
    London W1T 2RH
    England

  • Phone

    + 44 (0)20 7636 6565

  • Website

    www.independenttalent.com

Source Of Information

The information for this entry was taken from the original production programme.