The Playboy of the Western World

Explore themes of identity, heroism, and the absurdity of human nature, while celebrating the lyrical Hiberno-English speech of rural Ireland. Join us this September for our staged reading of John M. Synge’s The Playboy of the Western World. John M. Synge's The Playboy of the Western World tells the story of Christy Mahon, a young man who claims to have killed his father, transforming from a timid outsider into a celebrated figure in a small Irish village. Set in the early 1900s in County Mayo, Ireland, the play begins in Michael Flaherty’s pub. Christy Mahon arrives, claiming he killed his father with a spade while working on the farm. His bold story impresses the villagers, and his tale of patricide elevates him to local hero status. Villagers, especially young women, are fascinated by his audacity, and Christy gains confidence and charm through their admiration. The play remains a cornerstone of Irish literature and has been adapted for stage and screen.