The Silver Tassie

The Silver Tassie at National Theatre, Lyttelton

Why see The Silver Tassie?

Sean O'Casey's startling, voracious anti-war play from 1928 takes a more personal look at the madness of World War I through the eyes of the young dashing Harry Heegan. O'Casey was the first Irish playwright to focus his material solely on the working class, and this was to be his fourth, specifically infamous for its unforgiving anti-war, anti-Establishment stance - the ensuing controversy actually led to O'Casey's self-imposed departure from Ireland.

The four-act Expresionnist play is intersected with music and dance throughout, as memories of happier times are brought into sharp relief against the war-torn backdrop.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

Leaving his beloved Ireland after winning a local football tournement, handsome Harry Keegan is immediately bound for the trenches of France and the horrors that accompany it. Returning home a cripple, he watches on as the young men and women of the town dance together at his welcoming home party; he yearns to be part of it once again, the handsome, local hero.

However, he is forgotten in the wings, whilst others look at him as a pitiable figure. Betrayed by the friend who saved his life in the trench, with his fiancee, Harry is no longer deemed worthy in the eyes of his once-loyal town, and is resigned to carry on living - his last duty to the dea that he left behind.

 

Key Information

Audience

Suitable for audiences aged 14 and upwards

Run Time

Two hours 20 minutes including one interval

Dates

Finished 3 Jul 2014

Cast

Ronan Raftery as Harry Heegan
Adam Best
Aidan Kelly
Stephen Kennedy
Aidan McArdle
Deirdre Mullins

Creative

Written by Sean O'Casey
Directed by Howard Davies
Designs by Vicki Mortimer
Lighting by Neil Austin 
Costumes by John Bright
Sound by Paul Groothuis

Reviews

Customer reviews

Seen The Silver Tassie? Loved it? Hated it?!

Help your fellow London Theatreland visitors by leaving the first review!

All your reviews

NEWS, TICKETS, THEATRE & MORE

"Broadway and show news straight to your inbox!"

SHARE THE LOVE