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The Arts Council Playography Na Gaeilge

Plays

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The Bribe

A Play in Three Acts

OVERVIEW

  • Playwright

    Seumus O'Kelly 

  • Synopsis

    The play tells of the election of a new doctor in the town, where many townspeople opt to vote for the most influential rather than the most qualified candidate. John Kirwan, the chairman of the local board of guardians, is one of several who accept bribes towards this end. When Kirwan's wife falls ill, however, the newly-installed corrupt doctor is incompetent and unable to help. The only other medic available is the unsuccessful candidate, but by the time he arrives it is too late and Kirwan has lost his wife and child.

  • Play Type

    Plays General

    Number Of Acts

    Full-Length

    • Cast size

  • Male

    11

  • Female

    4

  • Total

    15

Original Production

Original Cast  
Poor Law Guardian Udolphus Wright
Mrs. Diamond Nora Desmond
A Pauper Michael Conniffe
Mary Kirwan Kathleen Drago
Poor Law Guardian Andrew Patrick Wilson
Poor Law Guardian J A O'Rourke
Poor Law Guardian J M Kerrigan
Dr Power O'Connor Sydney J Morgan
Mr. Toomey H E Hutchinson
John Kirwan Arthur Sinclair
Mrs. Kirwan Eileen O'Doherty
Dr Luke Diamond Fred O'Donovan (1)
Mrs Cooney Eithne Magee
Dr Jack Power O'Connor Philip Guiry
Poor Law Guardian Farrell Pelly
Production Team  
Produced by Lennox Robinson

Published Scripts

  • Title

    The Bribe, a play in three acts, Seumas O'Kelly

  • Year

    1914

  • Published By

    Maunsel

  • Address

    Dublin
    Republic of Ireland

Rights Information

  • Copyright Expired

Source Of Information

The information for this entry was taken from the original production programme and Ireland's Abbey Theatre: A History 1899-1951 by Lennox Robinson, with additional information from press cuttings of the time