THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE

Introductory notes for schools

Navan Theatre Group presents this awarding play by Martin McDonagh in the Solstice Arts Centre, Navan from Nov 21st -24th

The CastDirected by Nigel Ryan, the cast features four characters:•Ray•Mags•Maureen•Patto

SETTING

Set in the west of Ireland in the 1990s, the play is considered to be a post -modernist, dark comedy. The play is entirely set in a lonely, isolated cottage in the village of Leenane, situated somewhere in the West of Ireland. The dreary setting of the play reflects the dreariness of the characters who live there and the lives they are compelled to tolerate.

CONTEXT

The world of the play is Ireland of the 1990s. References to TV programmes, music, food

popular at that time are all evident in the play like ‘Sons and Daughters’ and ‘The Sullivans’ two Australian Soapoperas froms the 70s/80s popular in Ireland at the time. Kimberly biscuits features as does Complan which was a popular health drink to provide people with extra nutrients

Another contextual feature of the play is where crude language is used at times. This helps bring the blatant sexuality and excessive violence into focus

THEMES Dysfunctional mother-daughter relationship Conflict Domestic Violence Inability to free oneself from the world in which

one lives Frustration Unfulfilled Love Regret Emigration

SYNOPSIS Maureen, a rather plain woman of about forty,

lives in constant conflict with her seemingly senile mother Mags. They have lived together most of their lives. Their fighting is a strange mixture of the tragic and comic. Yet they are dependant on each other for their every day survival. Therefore their mother-daughter relationship is dysfunctional.

Hope is shown through love interest, Patto Dooley and comedy with the harmless badboy, Ray (Patto's brother) and his accidental interactions with the seemingly senile Mags.

When Mags sabotages a last attempt at love for Maureen, the tension and conflict between the pair escalates to violence.

DRAMATIC DEVICES

This play is often described as having an unusual blend of comedy and tragedy.

Characters - Mags• Age: 70s• Selfish• Manipulative• crude• Seems senile (but

isn’t)• Drinks ‘complan’• Likes to watch soap-

operas on tv• Uses abusive language

Characters - Maureen• Age:40• Troubled by life• Resents her

mother• Trapped in her life• Abusive• History of mental

illness• Worked for a brief

time in the UK

Characters -

Patto• Construction

worker in UK• Unlucky in love

and life• Has many regrets• Does not like

confrontation• Does not like

working in UK

Characters - Ray• Age: early 20s• Badboy image but

harmless• Wants to leave

Leenane to make his fortune

• Bored by the monotony of Leenane

• Holds a long term grudge

WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THE PLAYNavan

Theatre

Group

2012