Ireland’s Theatre on Film

This book provides an in-depth examination of the association between Irish theatre and film across a significant period of the last century. Divided into three interwoven sections, the book considers the relationship historically (as functional, financial, and political) between the Abbey Theatre and film practitioners from the beginning of the sound period. Secondly, it explores the adaptation for screen of a number of plays from the Abbey repertoire and it considers how key directors such as John Ford, Alfred Hitchcock, and Carol Reed used a theatricality of performance and narrative of Irishness to cinematic effect. Thirdly, it looks at the implications for a cinematic style of performances by stage actors, both individually and in groups. The book introduces an original perspective on understanding a theatricality of film. This includes adaptations and appropriations of dramatic texts for the screen, the interactions of Irish stage performers and internationally established dire