A novel famous for the furious reaction it provoked in the people of Delvin, Co Westmeath. But how do boycotts work and why are they so terrifying?
S7 E3 Boycott: McNamara ‘The Valley of the Squinting Windows’ (1913)
S7 E1 & 2 Riotous: The Playboy of the Western World (1907)
The Playboy Riots were a notoriously rowdy series of audience protests in the Abbey Theatre. The patrons were so offended by The Playboy of the Western World their loud singing and heckling drowned out the actors. This much-studied moment in Irish cultural history deserves a deep-dive into the play itself and the over-reaction to its performance.
With guest, Dr Lloyd (Maedhbh) Houston, I discussed the play and the uproar it caused, paying particular attention to drunken singing and the comedy act of one protestor, Mr Overcoat.
S6 E3 Wanton: Powys ‘Mr Weston’s Good Wine’ (1927)
I haven’t read many novels like this – it’s a Christian allegory stuffed with Gothic sex. TF Powys was banned a numbers of times by the censors, who objected to his unique combination of sacred and profane.
