The Plough and the Stars: 100 Years of O’Casey’s Irish Masterpiece at the Abbey Theatre

A century after its controversial premiere, Seán O’Casey’s The Plough and the Stars has returned to the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, marking a significant moment for Irish theatre. The play, set against the backdrop of the 1916 Easter Rising, continues to resonate with audiences and spark conversation about Irish identity, history, and the complexities of revolution.

The original 1926 production was met with uproar, even inciting riots within the audience. The anger stemmed from O’Casey’s unflinching portrayal of working-class Dubliners grappling with poverty and political upheaval. As Caitríona McLaughlin, Artistic Director of the Abbey Theatre, explains, the play “challenged our idea of ourselves.” Audiences at the time, she suggests, preferred a more “noble and conservative” narrative, and were uncomfortable with O’Casey’s depiction of characters who were flawed, opportunistic, and driven by basic human desires.

The play centers on the lives of residents in a Dublin tenement house as the Easter Rising unfolds. The story particularly focuses on Nora Clitheroe, whose husband, Jack, is involved in the rebellion, and the devastating impact the political turmoil has on her life and community. Described as a tragedy in four acts, The Plough and the Stars doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of the period, exploring themes of loss, sacrifice, and the disillusionment that followed the Rising.

Despite the initial backlash, the play has since been recognized as an Irish theatre masterpiece. The Abbey Theatre is celebrating the centenary with a production that aims to honor the play’s legacy while also exploring its continued relevance. The current production features a “Centenary Company,” bringing together actors who have previously played iconic roles in the play over the decades.

For veteran Abbey Theatre actor Clive Geraghty, returning to The Plough and the Stars is a deeply personal experience. He has portrayed Jack Clitheroe in six different productions, including a celebrated 1976 staging. Geraghty’s connection to the play dates back even further, to 1955, when he attended a performance with his mother – their first ever theatre experience. “It was the first play I ever saw,” he recalled, adding that the thought of one day performing the role of Jack was unimaginable at the time.

Eimhin Fitzgerald Doherty, who currently plays Jack Clitheroe in the 2026 production, described meeting Geraghty as a “lovely experience.” He noted a palpable energy surrounding the centenary production, a sense of connection to the play’s rich history. “There’s a fizz in the air, which is really special and everybody knows that we’re putting on something that has a lot of history behind it,” Doherty said.

Acclaimed actress Cathy Belton, also part of the Centenary Company, has played three different roles in The Plough and the Stars – in 2000, 2002, and 2016. She emphasized the enduring power of O’Casey’s writing, noting that each production felt distinct yet equally “terrifying, nourishing and inspiring.” Belton particularly praised O’Casey’s nuanced portrayal of women, describing them as “multi faceted, complex, surprising, inspirational…the hidden heroes of every piece.” She highlighted Nora Clitheroe’s struggle to create a home and a loving environment amidst the chaos of war, emphasizing O’Casey’s depiction of women as “the real peace makers and the real revolutionaries.”

Tom Creed, the director of the current production, views The Plough and the Stars as “our inheritance as Irish theatre artists, and it is our greatest treasure.” He spoke of the powerful atmosphere created by the play’s location at the Abbey Theatre, noting the view of the General Post Office (GPO) from the rehearsal room and the presence of portraits of past cast members in the dressing rooms.

The Abbey Theatre is also hosting an exhibition in its bar area, showcasing photographs, news articles, and reviews from productions of The Plough and the Stars over the past century. The exhibition features images of actors who have graced the Abbey stage in the play, including Brendan Gleeson, Cyril Cusack, Siobhan McKenna, and Sorcha Cusack – a testament to the play’s enduring appeal and its place in Irish theatrical history.

Creed believes the play’s themes remain profoundly relevant today. “This is a play about war,” he said, “and while it’s something from history, it’s a really profound, living, breathing, work of art about so many things that are so crucial to us all right now.” The production is scheduled to run for another five weeks, and Creed expressed his excitement about continuing to discover new layers of meaning in the play with each performance.

As Belton succinctly put it, O’Casey’s work remains as relevant now as it was a century ago. The Plough and the Stars continues to challenge, provoke, and inspire, solidifying its status as a cornerstone of Irish theatre and a powerful reflection on the complexities of history, identity, and the human condition.