Shamus O'Brien is a 1887 Australian stage play by Alfred Dampier and Percy Kehoe based on a poem about the Irish rebellion of 1798 by Sheridan Le Fanu.[1][2] It was one of Dampier's most popular plays and was often revived.
| Shamus O'Brien | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Alfred Dampier Percy Kehoe |
| Based on | poem Shamus O'Brien by Sheridan Le Fanu |
| Directed by | Alfred Dampier |
| Date premiered | October 1, 1887 |
| Place premiered | Gaiety Theatre, Sydney |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | melodrama |
| Setting | County Wicklow and Dublin, Ireland |
Reception edit
The Sydney Morning Herald says "some portions of the plot could perhaps hardly with justice be said to be absolutely new" and while it allowed the play "contains many effective scenes which help to maintain the interest of the auditor in the drama, the performance occupied a longer time than was desirable."[3]
The Age called it "an interesting play. It is true there is no striking originality either in the characters or in the situations which they are made to occupy, but nevertheless the story is one which awakens the interest of the audience, and stirs the Hibernian breast to positive enthusiasm."[4]
References edit
- ^ "WOMEN'S CONCERT". The Daily Telegraph. No. 2531. New South Wales, Australia. 27 August 1887. p. 6. Retrieved 7 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "SHAMUS O'BRIEN". The Herald. No. 4115. Victoria, Australia. 18 April 1889. p. 4. Retrieved 7 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "THE GAIETY THEATRE". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 15, 451. New South Wales, Australia. 3 October 1887. p. 5. Retrieved 7 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "ALEXANDRA THEATRE.—SHAMUS O'BRIEN". The Age. No. 10, 658. Victoria, Australia. 22 April 1889. p. 7. Retrieved 7 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
External links edit
- Original text of poem at Swan River Press
- Shamus O'Brien at Ausstage