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Irish Theatre And Popular Song In The 1950s And 1960s: Reimagining Ireland

Jace Mitchell

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Published in Hear My Song : Irish Theatre And Popular Song In The 1950s And 1960s (Reimagining Ireland 85)

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The 1950s and 1960s were a time of great change and upheaval in Ireland. The country was emerging from the shadow of the Second World War and beginning to forge a new identity for itself. This was reflected in the arts, with both theatre and popular song undergoing a period of significant change and innovation.

In the 1950s, Irish theatre was dominated by the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. The Abbey had a long tradition of producing classic Irish plays, but in the 1950s it began to experiment with more modern and experimental work. This was partly due to the influence of a new generation of playwrights, such as Brendan Behan, John B. Keane, and Samuel Beckett. These playwrights were not afraid to tackle controversial subjects, such as poverty, emigration, and the Troubles.

Hear My Song : Irish Theatre and Popular Song in the 1950s and 1960s (Reimagining Ireland 85)

'Hear My Song': Irish Theatre and Popular Song in the 1950s and 1960s (Reimagining Ireland Book 85)

by Superbritánico

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Print length	:	289 pages

At the same time, popular song was also undergoing a period of change. The traditional Irish ballads that had been popular in the first half of the 20th century were beginning to be replaced by more modern and upbeat songs. This was partly due to the influence of American rock and roll, which was becoming increasingly popular in Ireland.

The changes in Irish theatre and popular song in the 1950s and 1960s reflected the changing social and cultural landscape of Ireland during this time. The country was becoming more modern and outward-looking, and this was reflected in the arts. Theatre and popular song became more experimental and more reflective of the real lives of Irish people.

The Abbey Theatre

The Abbey Theatre was founded in 1904 by a group of Irish nationalists who wanted to create a theatre that would reflect the culture and traditions of Ireland. The Abbey quickly became one of the most important theatres in the world, and it played a major role in the development of Irish drama.

In the 1950s, the Abbey Theatre began to experiment with more modern and experimental work. This was partly due to the influence of a new generation of playwrights, such as Brendan Behan, John B. Keane, and Samuel Beckett. These playwrights were not afraid to tackle controversial subjects, such as poverty, emigration, and the Troubles.

One of the most important plays of the 1950s was Brendan Behan's "The Quare Fellow" (1954). This play is set in a Dublin prison and tells the story of a young man who is awaiting execution. The play is a powerful indictment of the death penalty and it was a major success both in Ireland and abroad.

Another important play of the 1950s was John B. Keane's "The Field" (1965). This play is set in rural Ireland and tells the story of a farmer who is obsessed with owning a field that borders his property. The play is a powerful exploration of the themes of greed and obsession.

Samuel Beckett was one of the most important playwrights of the 20th century. He was born in Ireland in 1906 and he wrote some of the most challenging and innovative plays of his time. Beckett's plays are often characterized by their absurdist themes and their use of language.

One of Beckett's most famous plays is "Waiting for Godot" (1953). This play is set in a barren landscape and tells the story of two men who are waiting for a man named Godot. Godot never arrives, and the play ends with the two men still waiting. "Waiting for Godot" is a powerful exploration of the themes of existentialism and the human condition.

Popular Song

In the 1950s, popular song was dominated by the traditional Irish ballads that had been popular in the first half of the 20th century. These ballads were often about love, loss, and emigration.

In the 1960s, popular song began to change. This was partly due to the influence of American rock and roll, which was becoming increasingly popular in Ireland. Irish musicians began to experiment with new sounds and styles, and this led to the development of a new genre of Irish music known as "showband music".

Showband music was a mix of traditional Irish music and American rock and roll. It was often played by large bands with multiple singers and instrumentalists. Showband music was very popular in Ireland in the 1960s and 1970s, and it helped to launch the careers of many Irish musicians, such as Van Morrison and Rory Gallagher.

One of the most popular showbands of the 1960s was The Miami Showband. The Miami Showband was formed in 1962 and they quickly became one of the most popular bands in Ireland. The band played a mix of traditional Irish music and American rock and roll, and they were known for their energetic live performances.

In 1975, The Miami Showband was the victim of a terrorist attack. The band was traveling to a concert in Dublin when their van was ambushed by a group of loyalist paramilitaries. Five members of the band were killed in the attack.

The Miami Showband massacre was a tragedy that shocked Ireland. It also marked the end of an era for Irish showbands. In the years that followed, the popularity of showband music declined and it was replaced by new genres of Irish music, such as folk rock and Celtic rock.

The 1950s and 1960s were a time of great change and upheaval in Ireland. This was reflected in the arts, with both theatre and popular song undergoing a period of significant change and innovation. These changes reflected the changing social and cultural landscape of Ireland during this time. The country was becoming more modern and outward-looking, and this was reflected in the arts. Theatre and popular song became more experimental and more reflective of the real lives of Irish people.

'Hear My Song': Irish Theatre and Popular Song in the 1950s and 1960s (Reimagining Ireland Book 85)

by Superbritánico

4.1 out of 5