OVERVIEW

• Playwright

  Páraic Breathnach 

• Author Notes

  Táin was adapted by Páraic Breathnach and devised by the cast.

• Synopsis

  A dramatic non-verbal adaptation of the ancient Irish saga 'Táin Bo Cuailnge', the centre piece of the eight century Ulster cycle of heroic tales. The play opens with the wedding of lovers Medb and Ailill, which is marred by a row between the couple that erupts when Ailill produces a Golden Bull as a symbol of his vast herds of cattle. Driven by a need to possess a bull equal to that of her husband's, Medb sends an envoy to Ulster to purchase a famous bull. On their way, Medb's men injure Cuchulainn, the famous warrior, which results in war being declared between Queen Medb and Conor, King of Ulster.

• Play Type

  Physical/Devised Theatre
  

  Number Of Acts

  Full-Length

Cast size

• Male

  15

• Female

  12

• Total

  27

• Cast Notes

  Cast doubling is possible. See original production for details. Five musicians were also used in the original production.

Original Production

• Date of First Production

  17 June 1992

• Producer

  Produced by Macnas

• Venue Notes

  Táin premiered at Expo '92 in Seville, Spain.

• Irish Premiere Notes

  The Irish premiere of the play took place at the McDonagh Building, Galway as part of the Galway Arts Festival on July 17, 1992.

Source Of Information

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