My intention in this short course is to look at two very contrasting masterpieces of twentieth century Irish theatre: The Playboy of the Western World a lyrical comedy by J.M. Synge and Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett, a bleak but, I would contend, very funny play as two tramps wait for a figure destined never to turn up.
In the six one-hour sessions, there should be time to view both plays in their entirety as well as discuss them in some depth. I’m particularly interested in the relationship of language and identity in Synge’s play and to consider what has happened to the role of language by the time we get to Beckett. But there will be much else to consider.