Arrah Na Pogue

Written in 1864 and set during the Irish rebellion of1798,Arrah na Pogueisis an entertainingtale of romance and misadventure with rascally rebels,despicable villains andlove struck youths. As night falls on the Wicklow mountains, the popularbut incorrigible rebel Beamish MacCaul is lying in wait. He’s out to ambush the cowardly rent-collector Michael Feeny and relieve him of a 'big lump of money.’ That done, he’s off to marry Fanny Power. Down in the valley, love is in the air for Shaun the Post and our heroine Arrah Meelish too. But Arrah has a secret. And Michael Feeny’s found out. As Shaun and Arrah celebrate their wedding, revenge comes a-calling.Love must conquer all - including the hangman’s noose.The play is full of Boucicault’s trademark comic roguery, farce and melodrama, which has influenced Irish playwrights including Synge, O’Casey, Shaw and McDonagh. This edition features an introduction by leading Boucicault scholar Dr Scott Boltwood.