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{{Short description|1924 play by Seán O'Casey}}
{{About|the play by Seán O'Casey|the 1930 film by Alfred Hitchcock of the same name|Juno and the Paycock (film)}}
{{About|the play by Seán O'Casey|the 1930 film by Alfred Hitchcock of the same name|Juno and the Paycock (film)}}
{{refimprove|date=June 2014}}
{{use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{more citations needed|date=June 2014}}
{{Infobox play
{{Infobox play
| name = Juno and the Paycock
| name = Juno and the Paycock
| writer = [[Seán O'Casey]]
| writer = [[Seán O'Casey]]
| setting = Tenement room, Dublin, 1922
| setting = Tenement room, Dublin, 1922
| premiere = {{Start date|1924|03|03}}
| premiere = {{Start date|1924|03|03|df=y}}
| place = [[Abbey Theatre]]
| place = [[Abbey Theatre]]
| orig_lang = English
| orig_lang = English
| series = [[Dublin]] Trilogy
| series = [[Dublin]] Trilogy
| characters = Juno Boyle<br/>Captain Jack Boyle<br/>"Joxer" Daly<br/>Mary Boyle<br/>Johnny Boyle<br/>Maisie Madigan<br/>Charles Bentham<br/>Jerry Devine<br/>Mrs Tancred<br/>"Needle" Nugent<br/>[[Irish Republican Army (1922–1969)|Irregulars]]<br/>Furniture Removers<br/>Sewing-Machine Man<br/>Neighbours
| characters = Juno Boyle<br />Captain Jack Boyle<br />"Joxer" Daly<br />Mary Boyle<br />Johnny Boyle<br />Maisie Madigan<br />Charles Bentham<br />Jerry Devine<br />Mrs Tancred<br />"Needle" Nugent<br />[[Irish Republican Army (1922–1969)|Irregulars]]<br />Furniture Removers<br />Sewing-Machine Man<br />Neighbours
}}
}}
'''''Juno and the Paycock''''' is a play by [[Seán O'Casey]]. Highly regarded and often performed in Ireland, it was first staged at the [[Abbey Theatre]] in [[Dublin]] in 1924. It is set in the [[working-class]] [[tenement]]s of Dublin in the early 1920s, during the [[Irish Civil War]] period.
'''''Juno and the Paycock''''' is a play by [[Seán O'Casey]]. Highly regarded and often performed in Ireland, it was first staged at the [[Abbey Theatre]] in [[Dublin]] in 1924. It is set in the [[working-class]] [[tenement]]s of Dublin in the early 1920s, during the [[Irish Civil War]] period. The word "paycock" is the Irish pronunciation of "[[peacock]]", which is what Juno accuses her husband of being.


It is the second of his "Dublin Trilogy" – the other two being ''[[The Shadow of a Gunman]]'' (1923) and ''[[The Plough and the Stars]]'' (1926).
It is the second of his "Dublin Trilogy" – the other two being ''[[The Shadow of a Gunman]]'' (1923) and ''[[The Plough and the Stars]]'' (1926).
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===Act I===
===Act I===
''Juno and the Paycock'' takes place in the [[tenement]]s of [[Dublin]] in 1922, just after the outbreak of the [[Irish Civil War]], and revolves around the misfortunes of the dysfunctional Boyle family. The father, "Captain" Jack (so called because of his propensity for telling greatly exaggerated stories of his short career as a [[Merchant Navy (United Kingdom)|merchant seaman]]), is a [[slacker|loafer]] who claims to be unable to work because of pains in his legs, which mysteriously appear whenever someone mentions work to him. Despite his family's poverty, Jack spends all his time and money at the [[pub]] with Joxer Daly, his ne'er-do-well "[[Friendship|butty]]," instead of looking for a job. The mother, Juno (so called because all of the important events in her life took place in June), is the only member of the family currently working, as daughter Mary is [[strike action|on strike]] and son Johnny is disabled, having lost his arm in the [[Irish War of Independence|War of Independence]]. Mary feels guilty about dumping her boyfriend and fellow striker, Jerry Devine, who feels more strongly for her than she does for him. Meanwhile, Johnny agonises over his betrayal of his friend Robbie Tancred, a neighbour and former comrade in the [[Irish Republican Army (1922–1969)|IRA]], who was subsequently murdered by [[Irish Free State|Free State]] supporters; Johnny is terrified that the IRA will execute him as punishment for being an [[informant]]. Near the end of the act, one of Jack's relatives dies, and a schoolteacher, Charles Bentham, brings news that the Boyles have come into a large inheritance; Bentham notes aloud that the [[Will and testament|will]] names "John Boyle, [my] first cousin, of Dublin" as one of the beneficiaries. Overjoyed with the news, Jack vows to Juno to end his friendship with Joxer and change his ways.
''Juno and the Paycock'' takes place in the [[tenement]]s of [[Dublin]] in 1922, just after the outbreak of the [[Irish Civil War]], and revolves around the misfortunes of the dysfunctional Boyle family. The father, "Captain" Jack (so called because of his propensity for telling greatly exaggerated stories of his short career as a [[Merchant Navy (United Kingdom)|merchant seaman]]), is a [[slacker|loafer]] who claims to be unable to work because of pains in his legs, which mysteriously appear whenever someone mentions work. Despite his family's poverty, Jack spends all his time and money at the [[pub]] with Joxer Daly, his ne'er-do-well "[[Friendship|butty]]," instead of looking for a job. The mother, Juno (so called because all of the important events in her life took place in June), is the only member of the family currently working, as daughter Mary is [[strike action|on strike]] and son Johnny is disabled, having lost his arm in the [[Irish War of Independence|War of Independence]]. Mary feels guilty about dumping her boyfriend and fellow striker, Jerry Devine, who feels more strongly for her than she does for him. Meanwhile, Johnny agonises over his betrayal of his friend Robbie Tancred, a neighbour and former comrade in the [[Irish Republican Army (1922–1969)|IRA]], who was subsequently murdered by [[Irish Free State|Free State]] supporters; Johnny is terrified that the IRA will execute him as punishment for being an [[informant]]. Near the end of the act, one of Jack's relatives dies, and a schoolteacher, Charles Bentham, brings news that the Boyles have come into a large inheritance; Bentham notes aloud that the [[Will and testament|will]] names "John Boyle, [my] first cousin, of Dublin" as one of the beneficiaries. Overjoyed with the news, Jack vows to Juno to end his friendship with Joxer and change his ways.


===Act II===
===Act II===
A mere two days after receiving Mr Bentham's news, Jack has already begun flaunting his newfound wealth by purchasing a new [[Suit (clothing)|suit]], new furniture, a [[Phonograph|gramophone]], and other luxuries on [[credit]], in anticipation of receiving the inheritance. The Boyles throw a party and invite Bentham, who is [[courting]] Mary. Joxer is present, Jack having already forgotten his vow to break off contact with him, and Mrs Maisie Madigan, a neighbour to whom Jack owes money, shows up after having been invited in Act I. During the party, Robbie Tancred's funeral procession passes the tenement, but the Boyles and their guests halt their carousing only when Tancred's grieving mother stops at their door. Juno goes out to offer support to Mrs Tancred, who delivers a monologue mourning the loss of her son and praying for an end to the war, but Jack selfishly ignores her suffering.
A mere two days after receiving Mr Bentham's news, Jack has already begun flaunting his newfound wealth by purchasing a new [[Suit (clothing)|suit]], new furniture, a [[Phonograph|gramophone]], and other luxuries on [[credit]], in anticipation of receiving the inheritance. The Boyles throw a party and invite Bentham, who is [[courtship|courting]] Mary. Joxer is present, Jack having already forgotten his vow to break off contact with him, and Mrs Maisie Madigan, a neighbour to whom Jack owes money, shows up after having been invited in Act I. During the party, Robbie Tancred's funeral procession passes the tenement, but the Boyles and their guests halt their carousing only when Tancred's grieving mother stops at their door. Juno goes out to offer support to Mrs Tancred, who delivers a monologue mourning the loss of her son and praying for an end to the war, but Jack selfishly ignores her suffering.


===Act III===
===Act III===
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* [[Barry Fitzgerald]] as Captain Jack Boyle
* [[Barry Fitzgerald]] as Captain Jack Boyle
* [[F. J. McCormick]] as Joxer Daly
* [[F. J. McCormick]] as Joxer Daly
* Eileen Crowe as Mary Boyle
* [[Eileen Crowe]] as Mary Boyle
* [[Arthur Shields]] as Johnny Boyle
* [[Arthur Shields]] as Johnny Boyle
* [[Maureen Delany]] as Mrs Maisie Madigan
* [[Maureen Delany]] as Mrs Maisie Madigan
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* Musical Direction: [[John Francis Larchet|Dr. J. F. Larchet]]
* Musical Direction: [[John Francis Larchet|Dr. J. F. Larchet]]
* Producer: Michael J. Dolan
* Producer: Michael J. Dolan
⚫
* Stage Manager: F. J. McCormick<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishplayography.com/play.aspx?playid=2077|title= IrishPlayography.com: Juno and the Paycock|access-date=29 February 2012}}</ref>
* Stage Manager: F.J. McCormick

⚫
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishplayography.com/play.aspx?playid=2077|title= IrishPlayography.com: Juno and the Paycock|accessdate=29 February 2012}}</ref>


==Quotes==
==Quotes==
*"I ofen looked up at the sky an' assed meself the question – what is the moon, what is the stars?" – Captain Boyle, Act I
*"I ofen looked up at the sky an' assed meself the question – what is the moon, what is the stars?" – Captain Boyle, Act I
*"Th' whole worl's in a terrible state o' chassis" – Captain Boyle, Act III, The Final line of the play.
*"Th' whole worl's in a terrible state o' chassis" – Captain Boyle, Act III, the final line of the play.
*"Never tired o' lookin' for a rest" – Juno Boyle, Act I
*"Never tired o' lookin' for a rest" – Juno Boyle, Act I
*"it's nearly time we had a little less respect for the dead, an' a little more regard for the living." – Juno Boyle, Act II
*"it's nearly time we had a little less respect for the dead, an' a little more regard for the living." – Juno Boyle, Act II
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==Adaptations==
==Adaptations==
[[File:Juno and the Paycock.jpg|Original film poster|thumb|200px]]
[[File:Juno and the Paycock Movie Poster.jpg|UK pressbook|thumb|200px]]


===Film===
===Film===
{{main|Juno and the Paycock (film)}}
{{main|Juno and the Paycock (film)}}
In 1930, a British film adaptation of the play was produced which was directed by [[Alfred Hitchcock]]. In the United States, it was also known by the title "The Shame of Mary Boyle."
In 1930, a British film adaptation of the play was produced, which was directed by [[Alfred Hitchcock]]. In the United States, it was also known by the title ''The Shame of Mary Boyle''.


====Cast====
====Cast====
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* [[Maire O'Neill]] as Mrs Maisie Madigan
* [[Maire O'Neill]] as Mrs Maisie Madigan
* [[Edward Chapman (actor)|Edward Chapman]] as Captain Boyle
* [[Edward Chapman (actor)|Edward Chapman]] as Captain Boyle
* [[Sidney Morgan]] as 'Joxer' Daly
* [[Sidney Morgan]] as "Joxer" Daly
* [[Sara Allgood]] as Mrs Boyle ('Juno')
* [[Sara Allgood]] as Mrs Boyle ("Juno")
⚫
* [[Kathleen O'Regan]] as Mary Boyle
* [[John Laurie]] as Johnny Boyle<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021015/|title=IMDB entry for Hitchcock's 1930 Juno and the Paycock|date=1 December 1929|work=IMDb|accessdate=6 October 2014}}</ref>
* [[John Laurie]] as Johnny Boyle<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021015/|title=IMDB entry for Hitchcock's 1930 Juno and the Paycock|date=1 December 1929|work=IMDb|access-date=6 October 2014}}</ref>


===Television===
===Television===
There are various television adaptations of ''Juno and the Paycock'':
There are various television adaptations of ''Juno and the Paycock'':
* 1938, [[BBC Television]]: starring [[Maire O'Neill]] as Juno and Harry Hutchinson as Captain Jack.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0416883/|title=IMDB Entry for 1938 Television version of Juno and the Paycock|date=21 October 1938|work=IMDb|accessdate=6 October 2014}}</ref>
* 1938, [[BBC Television]]: starring [[Maire O'Neill]] as Juno and Harry Hutchinson as Captain Jack.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0416883/|title=IMDB Entry for 1938 Television version of Juno and the Paycock|date=21 October 1938|work=IMDb|access-date=6 October 2014}}</ref>
* 1951, BBC TV: starring Shela Ward and John Kelly.<ref>https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/1b2e4dcc08aa486c9faf7ba02400b468</ref>
* 1951, BBC TV: starring Shela Ward and John Kelly.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/1b2e4dcc08aa486c9faf7ba02400b468|title = Broadcast - BBC Programme Index}}</ref>
* 1952, Canadian TV: starring Nancy Pyper and Frank Peddie.<ref>https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6107210/</ref>
* 1952, Canadian TV: starring Nancy Pyper and Frank Peddie.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6107210/|title = "Encounter" Juno and the Paycock (TV Episode 1952) - IMDb}}</ref>
* 1957, BBC TV: starring Peggy Marshall and Liam Redmond.<ref>https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/1b2e4dcc08aa486c9faf7ba02400b468</ref>
* 1957, BBC TV: starring Peggy Marshall and Liam Redmond.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/d0fbf0036918415488849068050aff3e|title = Broadcast - BBC Programme Index}}</ref>
* 1960: US TV, starring [[Hume Cronyn]] and [[Walter Matthau]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0210134/|title=IMDB Entry for 1960 Television version of Juno and the Paycock|date=1 February 1960|work=IMDb|accessdate=6 October 2014}}</ref>
* 1960: US TV, starring [[Hume Cronyn]] and [[Walter Matthau]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0210134/|title=IMDB Entry for 1960 Television version of Juno and the Paycock|date=1 February 1960|work=IMDb|access-date=6 October 2014}}</ref>
* 1974, Swedish TV: ''Skuggan av en hjälte'' (''The shadow of a hero'').<ref>https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0244215/</ref>
* 1974, Swedish TV: ''Skuggan av en hjälte'' (''The shadow of a hero'').<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0244215/|title = Skuggan av en hjälte (TV Movie 1974) - IMDb}}</ref>
* 1980, BBC TV: Starring [[Frances Tomelty]] as Juno and [[Dudley Sutton]] as Captain Jack.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1390473/|title=IMDB Entry for 1980 Television version of Juno and the Paycock|date=6 October 1980|work=IMDb|accessdate=6 October 2014}}</ref>
* 1980, BBC TV: Starring [[Frances Tomelty]] as Juno and [[Dudley Sutton]] as Captain Jack.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1390473/|title=IMDB Entry for 1980 Television version of Juno and the Paycock|date=6 October 1980|work=IMDb|access-date=6 October 2014}}</ref>

⚫
====Cast====
⚫
* [[Shirley Booth]] as Juno Boyle
⚫
* [[Melvyn Douglas]] as Captain Boyle
⚫
* [[Jeremy Kyle]] as Joxer
⚫
* [[Tommy Rall]] as Johnny Boyle<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=2081|title=IBDB Entry for Juno|publisher=|accessdate=6 October 2014}}</ref>


===Radio===
===Radio===
At least 11 adaptations have been produced for [[BBC Radio]]. Four of the first five starred [[Maire O'Neill]], who previously appeared in Hitchcock's film as Juno's sister Mrs. Maisie Madigan.
At least 11 adaptations have been produced for [[BBC Radio]]. Four of the first five starred [[Maire O'Neill]], who previously appeared in Hitchcock's film as Juno's sister Mrs. Maisie Madigan.
* 1937, adapted by Patrick Riddell and produced by Peter Creswell.<ref>https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/baae443462604c61a2200737ad484082</ref>
* 1937, adapted by Patrick Riddell and produced by Peter Creswell.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/baae443462604c61a2200737ad484082|title = Broadcast - BBC Programme Index}}</ref>
* 1941, adapted by Patrick Riddell and produced by James Mageean.<ref>https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/a59aa556a37249dbb9267667338aee37</ref>
* 1941, adapted by Patrick Riddell and produced by James Mageean.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/a59aa556a37249dbb9267667338aee37|title = Broadcast - BBC Programme Index}}</ref>
* 1942, adapted by L. A. G. Strong and produced by Joh Burrell.<ref>https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/f11d54a1c2b94249bdf47d70e32fe8c3</ref>
* 1942, adapted by L. A. G. Strong and produced by Joh Burrell.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/f11d54a1c2b94249bdf47d70e32fe8c3|title = Broadcast - BBC Programme Index}}</ref>
* 1946, adapted by Patrick Riddell and produced by Fred O'Donovan.<ref>https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/80df4f1a34dd40e78e410d46f2bdb350</ref>
* 1946, adapted by Patrick Riddell and produced by Fred O'Donovan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/80df4f1a34dd40e78e410d46f2bdb350|title = Broadcast - BBC Programme Index}}</ref>
* 1951, adapted by Patrick Riddell and produced by Fred O'Donovan.<ref>https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/92b7c140296241e8aa1aa4a04378bed8</ref>
* 1951, adapted by Patrick Riddell and produced by Fred O'Donovan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/92b7c140296241e8aa1aa4a04378bed8|title = Broadcast - BBC Programme Index}}</ref>
* 1957, adapted by Patrick Riddell and produced by John Gibson.<ref>https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/22da34497c8942429e8fb4395db8a964</ref>
* 1957, adapted by Patrick Riddell and produced by John Gibson.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/22da34497c8942429e8fb4395db8a964|title = Broadcast - BBC Programme Index}}</ref>
* 1962, produced by Sam Langdon.<ref>https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/7ea4b369b6c748219508455efd3158e9</ref>
* 1962, produced by Sam Langdon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/7ea4b369b6c748219508455efd3158e9|title = Broadcast - BBC Programme Index}}</ref>
* 1976, produced and directed by Michael Heffernan.<ref>https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/a2ba433031b24ea6b0262990d959639f</ref>
* 1976, produced and directed by Michael Heffernan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/a2ba433031b24ea6b0262990d959639f|title = Broadcast - BBC Programme Index}}</ref>
* 1980, produced by Prudence Fitzgerald and directed by Roger Chevely.<ref>https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/8448938437c747ac9ee80cf98121ae26</ref>
* 1980, produced by [[Prudence Fitzgerald]] and directed by Roger Chevely.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/8448938437c747ac9ee80cf98121ae26|title = Broadcast - BBC Programme Index}}</ref>
* 1997, directed by Pam Brighton.<ref>https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/e2fa01d0acd04163b037b736efd4fb9c</ref>
* 1997, directed by Pam Brighton.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/e2fa01d0acd04163b037b736efd4fb9c|title = Broadcast - BBC Programme Index}}</ref>


The most recent production was broadcast 16 November 2014 on [[BBC Radio 3]],<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04p5202</ref> adapted and directed by Peter Kavanagh with:
The most recent production was broadcast 16 November 2014 on [[BBC Radio 3]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04p5202|title = BBC Radio 3 - Drama on 3, Juno and the Paycock}}</ref> adapted and directed by Peter Kavanagh with:
* [[Sorcha Cusack]] as Juno Boyle
* [[Sorcha Cusack]] as Juno Boyle
* [[Stanley Townsend]] as Captain Boyle
* [[Stanley Townsend]] as Captain Boyle
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===Sound recordings===
===Sound recordings===
O'Casey "Recorded at his home in Totnes, Devon on November 12, 1952" the play's opening and closing scenes. These were issued on LP by [[Caedmon Records]] in the US, coupled with similar extracts from his autobiographies ''Inishfallen, Fare Thee Well'' (1949) and ''Pictures in the Hallway'' (1942). Caedmon also released a 1960 7" in the UK, just containing the ''Juno'' readings.<ref>https://www.discogs.com/Sean-OCasey-Reading-Scenes-From-Juno-And-The-Paycock/release/5629611</ref>
O'Casey "Recorded at his home in Totnes, Devon on November 12, 1952" the play's opening and closing scenes. These were issued on LP by [[Caedmon Records]] in the US, coupled with similar extracts from his autobiographies ''Inishfallen, Fare Thee Well'' (1949) and ''Pictures in the Hallway'' (1942). Caedmon also released a 1960 7" in the UK, just containing the ''Juno'' readings.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Sean-OCasey-Reading-Scenes-From-Juno-And-The-Paycock/release/5629611|title=Sean O'Casey – Reading Scenes from Juno and the Paycock (Vinyl)}}</ref>


A full recording of the play was made by [[Cyril Cusack Productions]] in June 1955, in association with the [[Abbey Theatre]], Dublin. It was issued as a boxed double LP by [[Angel Records]]<ref>https://www.discogs.com/Various-Juno-And-The-Paycock/release/5019979</ref> and regular LP by [[Columbia Graphophone Company|Columbia Records]]<ref>https://www.discogs.com/Sean-OCasey-Juno-and-the-Paycock/release/12083745</ref> in the UK. In the US, it was originally issued by [[Seraphim Records]]<ref>https://www.discogs.com/Sean-OCasey-Juno-and-the-Paycock/release/9580338</ref> and reissued in 1973 by Caedmon Records.<ref>https://www.discogs.com/Sean-OCasey-Siobhan-McKenna-Cyril-Cusack-Maire-Kean-Seamus-Kavanagh-Juno-And-The-Paycock/release/8994752</ref> The performance has a spoken introduction by O'Casey. The cast includes:
A full recording of the play was made by [[Cyril Cusack Productions]] in June 1955, in association with the [[Abbey Theatre]], Dublin. It was issued as a boxed double LP by [[Angel Records]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Various-Juno-And-The-Paycock/release/5019979|title=Juno and the Paycock (1956, Vinyl)}}</ref> and regular LP by [[Columbia Graphophone Company|Columbia Records]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Sean-OCasey-Juno-and-the-Paycock/release/12083745|title = Sean O'Casey – Juno and the Paycock (1956, Gatefold, Vinyl)}}</ref> in the UK. In the US, it was originally issued by [[Seraphim Records]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Sean-OCasey-Juno-and-the-Paycock/release/9580338|title = Sean O'Casey – Juno and the Paycock (1956, Box Set, Vinyl)}}</ref> and reissued in 1973 by Caedmon Records.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Sean-OCasey-Siobhan-McKenna-Cyril-Cusack-Maire-Kean-Seamus-Kavanagh-Juno-And-The-Paycock/release/8994752|title=Sean O'Casey, Siobhan McKenna, Cyril Cusack, Maire Kean, Seamus Kavanagh – Juno and the Paycock (1973, Vinyl)}}</ref> The performance has a spoken introduction by O'Casey. The cast includes:
* Séamus Caomhánach as Captain Jack
* Séamus Caomhánach as Captain Jack
* [[Siobhán McKenna]] as Juno Boyle
* [[Siobhán McKenna]] as Juno Boyle
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===Musical===
===Musical===
{{main article|Juno (musical)}}
{{main article|Juno (musical)}}
A musical adaptation of the play, titled ''[[Juno (musical)|Juno]]'', was created by [[Marc Blitzstein]] (music, lyrics) and [[Joseph Stein]] (book) and opened on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] in 1959. [[Shirley Booth]] starred as Juno Boyle and [[Melvyn Douglas]] as the Captain. The musical version was a flop, closing after 16 performances, but Blitzstein's score was preserved on the original cast album and is today considered one of the composer's masterpieces. O'Casey gave his blessing to the project, but never saw the production.
A musical adaptation of the play, titled ''[[Juno (musical)|Juno]]'', was created by [[Marc Blitzstein]] (music, lyrics) and [[Joseph Stein]] (book) and opened on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] on 9 March 1959. [[Shirley Booth]] starred as Juno Boyle and [[Melvyn Douglas]] as the Captain. The musical version was a flop, closing after 16 performances, but Blitzstein's score was preserved on the original cast album and is today considered one of the composer's masterpieces. O'Casey gave his blessing to the project, but never saw the production.

⚫
====Cast====
* [[Shirley Booth]] as Juno Boyle
⚫
* [[Melvyn Douglas]] as Captain Boyle
⚫
* [[Jack MacGowran]] as Joxer
⚫
* [[Tommy Rall]] as Johnny Boyle<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=2081|title=IBDB Entry for Juno|access-date=6 October 2014}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 137: Line 138:


==External links==
==External links==
* The full text of ''[https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=inu.32000007322615&view=1up&seq=11 Juno and the Paycock]'' at [[HathiTrust Digital Library]]
* [http://www.theatrehistory.com/irish/ocasey002.html Andrew E. Malone:''Ireland Gives a new Playwright to the World'']
* [http://www.theatrehistory.com/irish/ocasey002.html Andrew E. Malone:''Ireland Gives a new Playwright to the World'']
* [http://shopix.250free.com/juno.html Photos of a production of ''Juno and the Paycock'']
* {{IBDB show|4988}}
* {{IBDB show|4988}}
* {{IBDB title|10020}}
* {{Theatricalia|dj}}
* {{Theatricalia|dj}}


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[[Category:1924 plays]]
[[Category:1924 plays]]
⚫
[[Category:Hawthornden Prize–winning works]]
⚫
[[Category:Irish plays adapted into films]]
[[Category:Plays by Seán O'Casey]]
[[Category:Plays by Seán O'Casey]]
[[Category:Plays set in Dublin (city)]]
[[Category:Plays set in Dublin (city)]]
⚫
[[Category:Irish plays adapted into films]]
⚫
[[Category:Hawthornden Prize-winning works]]

Latest revision as of 15:30, 28 December 2024

This article is about the play by Seán O'Casey. For the 1930 film by Alfred Hitchcock of the same name, see Juno and the Paycock (film).

Juno and the Paycock
Written bySeán O'Casey
CharactersJuno Boyle
Captain Jack Boyle
"Joxer" Daly
Mary Boyle
Johnny Boyle
Maisie Madigan
Charles Bentham
Jerry Devine
Mrs Tancred
"Needle" Nugent
Irregulars
Furniture Removers
Sewing-Machine Man
Neighbours
Date premiered3 March 1924 (1924-03-03)
Place premieredAbbey Theatre
Original languageEnglish
SeriesDublin Trilogy
SettingTenement room, Dublin, 1922

Juno and the Paycock is a play by Seán O'Casey. Highly regarded and often performed in Ireland, it was first staged at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin in 1924. It is set in the working-class tenements of Dublin in the early 1920s, during the Irish Civil War period. The word "paycock" is the Irish pronunciation of "peacock", which is what Juno accuses her husband of being.

It is the second of his "Dublin Trilogy" – the other two being The Shadow of a Gunman (1923) and The Plough and the Stars (1926).

Plot

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Act I

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Juno and the Paycock takes place in the tenements of Dublin in 1922, just after the outbreak of the Irish Civil War, and revolves around the misfortunes of the dysfunctional Boyle family. The father, "Captain" Jack (so called because of his propensity for telling greatly exaggerated stories of his short career as a merchant seaman), is a loafer who claims to be unable to work because of pains in his legs, which mysteriously appear whenever someone mentions work. Despite his family's poverty, Jack spends all his time and money at the pub with Joxer Daly, his ne'er-do-well "butty," instead of looking for a job. The mother, Juno (so called because all of the important events in her life took place in June), is the only member of the family currently working, as daughter Mary is on strike and son Johnny is disabled, having lost his arm in the War of Independence. Mary feels guilty about dumping her boyfriend and fellow striker, Jerry Devine, who feels more strongly for her than she does for him. Meanwhile, Johnny agonises over his betrayal of his friend Robbie Tancred, a neighbour and former comrade in the IRA, who was subsequently murdered by Free State supporters; Johnny is terrified that the IRA will execute him as punishment for being an informant. Near the end of the act, one of Jack's relatives dies, and a schoolteacher, Charles Bentham, brings news that the Boyles have come into a large inheritance; Bentham notes aloud that the will names "John Boyle, [my] first cousin, of Dublin" as one of the beneficiaries. Overjoyed with the news, Jack vows to Juno to end his friendship with Joxer and change his ways.

Act II

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A mere two days after receiving Mr Bentham's news, Jack has already begun flaunting his newfound wealth by purchasing a new suit, new furniture, a gramophone, and other luxuries on credit, in anticipation of receiving the inheritance. The Boyles throw a party and invite Bentham, who is courting Mary. Joxer is present, Jack having already forgotten his vow to break off contact with him, and Mrs Maisie Madigan, a neighbour to whom Jack owes money, shows up after having been invited in Act I. During the party, Robbie Tancred's funeral procession passes the tenement, but the Boyles and their guests halt their carousing only when Tancred's grieving mother stops at their door. Juno goes out to offer support to Mrs Tancred, who delivers a monologue mourning the loss of her son and praying for an end to the war, but Jack selfishly ignores her suffering.

Act III

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Two months later, Bentham abruptly ceases all contact with the family and abandons Mary, who, it is revealed, is secretly carrying his child out of wedlock. While Jack is sleeping, Juno takes Mary to the doctor. Soon after they leave, Needle Nugent, the local tailor, storms into the flat and repossesses Jack's suit. Then Mrs Madigan arrives, demanding repayment of the loan she gave Jack; when he refuses to pay, she takes the gramophone as recompense. Joxer (who was present for both incidents, and did nothing to help) needles Jack about rumours that the inheritance is not forthcoming; this soon devolves into an argument during which Joxer openly mocks Jack's fortune as fraudulent. While Johnny upbraids his father for embarrassing the family, Juno returns alone and delivers the news of Mary's pregnancy. As Juno pleads with Jack to use the leftover money from the inheritance to move the family to a different city, he angrily reveals that they will receive nothing due to an error Bentham made while drafting the will (he failed to include the beneficiaries' names, referring to Jack only as "[my] first cousin"). As a result, numerous relations are claiming the inheritance, which is rapidly being eaten up by legal costs; to make matters worse, Bentham has apparently fled the country out of shame. Johnny berates his father for his shortsightedness and avarice. Unable to cope with the stress of the situation, Jack disowns Mary and retreats to the pub to drink with Joxer. Johnny persuades Juno to follow Jack and beg him to come home. Mary returns, and Johnny disowns her as well. Jerry Devine shows up to patch things up with Mary, but he too renounces her when he learns of her pregnancy. As the last of Jack's fancy new furniture is being repossessed, several IRA men arrive and drag Johnny away; Juno later hears from Mrs Madigan that a body resembling Johnny's has been found on a country road, riddled with bullets. Juno decides that Jack will never take on his responsibilities as a father and breadwinner, so she leaves to make a better life for herself and Mary. She sends Mary to live with a relative and, before going to the police station to identify Johnny's body, delivers a monologue that echoes Mrs Tancred's in Act II. Some time later, Jack stumbles home from the pub with Joxer, extremely drunk and unaware that his son is dead or that his wife and daughter have left him. After a brief conversation, Jack accidentally drops his last sixpence on the floor; he drunkenly mourns that "the whole world is in a terrible state o' chassis" before passing out.

Original production

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The play was first performed at the Abbey Theatre on 3 March 1924.

Cast:

  • Sara Allgood as Juno Boyle
  • Barry Fitzgerald as Captain Jack Boyle
  • F. J. McCormick as Joxer Daly
  • Eileen Crowe as Mary Boyle
  • Arthur Shields as Johnny Boyle
  • Maureen Delany as Mrs Maisie Madigan
  • Gabriel J. Fallon as Charles Bentham
  • P. J. Carolan as Jerry Devine
  • Christine Murphy as Mrs Tancred
  • Maurice Esmonde as First Irregular
  • Michael J. Dolan as Second Irregular / Needle Nugent
  • Peter Nolan as First Furniture Remover / Sewing Machine Man
  • Tony Quinn as Second Furniture Remover / Coal-Block Vendor
  • Irene Murphy and Eileen O'Kelly as Two Neighbours

Production team:

Quotes

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  • "I ofen looked up at the sky an' assed meself the question – what is the moon, what is the stars?" – Captain Boyle, Act I
  • "Th' whole worl's in a terrible state o' chassis" – Captain Boyle, Act III, the final line of the play.
  • "Never tired o' lookin' for a rest" – Juno Boyle, Act I
  • "it's nearly time we had a little less respect for the dead, an' a little more regard for the living." – Juno Boyle, Act II
  • "Isn't all religions curious?-if they weren't you wouldn't get anyone to believe in them" – Captain Boyle, Act II
  • "It'll have what's far better- it'll have two mothers" – Juno Boyle, Act III
  • "A darlin' (noun), a daarlin' (repeat noun)!" – Joxer's habitual exclamation throughout the play as he trivialises everything
  • "It doesn't matter what you say, ma – a principle's a principle." – Mary Boyle speaking about the strike
  • "He ought to be here." – Johnny on Boyle's absence

Adaptations

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UK pressbook

Film

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Main article: Juno and the Paycock (film)

In 1930, a British film adaptation of the play was produced, which was directed by Alfred Hitchcock. In the United States, it was also known by the title The Shame of Mary Boyle.

Cast

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Television

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There are various television adaptations of Juno and the Paycock:

Radio

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At least 11 adaptations have been produced for BBC Radio. Four of the first five starred Maire O'Neill, who previously appeared in Hitchcock's film as Juno's sister Mrs. Maisie Madigan.

  • 1937, adapted by Patrick Riddell and produced by Peter Creswell.[10]
  • 1941, adapted by Patrick Riddell and produced by James Mageean.[11]
  • 1942, adapted by L. A. G. Strong and produced by Joh Burrell.[12]
  • 1946, adapted by Patrick Riddell and produced by Fred O'Donovan.[13]
  • 1951, adapted by Patrick Riddell and produced by Fred O'Donovan.[14]
  • 1957, adapted by Patrick Riddell and produced by John Gibson.[15]
  • 1962, produced by Sam Langdon.[16]
  • 1976, produced and directed by Michael Heffernan.[17]
  • 1980, produced by Prudence Fitzgerald and directed by Roger Chevely.[18]
  • 1997, directed by Pam Brighton.[19]

The most recent production was broadcast 16 November 2014 on BBC Radio 3,[20] adapted and directed by Peter Kavanagh with:

Sound recordings

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O'Casey "Recorded at his home in Totnes, Devon on November 12, 1952" the play's opening and closing scenes. These were issued on LP by Caedmon Records in the US, coupled with similar extracts from his autobiographies Inishfallen, Fare Thee Well (1949) and Pictures in the Hallway (1942). Caedmon also released a 1960 7" in the UK, just containing the Juno readings.[21]

A full recording of the play was made by Cyril Cusack Productions in June 1955, in association with the Abbey Theatre, Dublin. It was issued as a boxed double LP by Angel Records[22] and regular LP by Columbia Records[23] in the UK. In the US, it was originally issued by Seraphim Records[24] and reissued in 1973 by Caedmon Records.[25] The performance has a spoken introduction by O'Casey. The cast includes:

Musical

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Main article: Juno (musical)

A musical adaptation of the play, titled Juno, was created by Marc Blitzstein (music, lyrics) and Joseph Stein (book) and opened on Broadway on 9 March 1959. Shirley Booth starred as Juno Boyle and Melvyn Douglas as the Captain. The musical version was a flop, closing after 16 performances, but Blitzstein's score was preserved on the original cast album and is today considered one of the composer's masterpieces. O'Casey gave his blessing to the project, but never saw the production.

Cast

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References

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  1. ^ "IrishPlayography.com: Juno and the Paycock". Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  2. ^ "IMDB entry for Hitchcock's 1930 Juno and the Paycock". IMDb. 1 December 1929. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  3. ^ "IMDB Entry for 1938 Television version of Juno and the Paycock". IMDb. 21 October 1938. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  4. ^ "Broadcast - BBC Programme Index".
  5. ^ ""Encounter" Juno and the Paycock (TV Episode 1952) - IMDb".
  6. ^ "Broadcast - BBC Programme Index".
  7. ^ "IMDB Entry for 1960 Television version of Juno and the Paycock". IMDb. 1 February 1960. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  8. ^ "Skuggan av en hjälte (TV Movie 1974) - IMDb".
  9. ^ "IMDB Entry for 1980 Television version of Juno and the Paycock". IMDb. 6 October 1980. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  10. ^ "Broadcast - BBC Programme Index".
  11. ^ "Broadcast - BBC Programme Index".
  12. ^ "Broadcast - BBC Programme Index".
  13. ^ "Broadcast - BBC Programme Index".
  14. ^ "Broadcast - BBC Programme Index".
  15. ^ "Broadcast - BBC Programme Index".
  16. ^ "Broadcast - BBC Programme Index".
  17. ^ "Broadcast - BBC Programme Index".
  18. ^ "Broadcast - BBC Programme Index".
  19. ^ "Broadcast - BBC Programme Index".
  20. ^ "BBC Radio 3 - Drama on 3, Juno and the Paycock".
  21. ^ "Sean O'Casey – Reading Scenes from Juno and the Paycock (Vinyl)".
  22. ^ "Juno and the Paycock (1956, Vinyl)".
  23. ^ "Sean O'Casey – Juno and the Paycock (1956, Gatefold, Vinyl)".
  24. ^ "Sean O'Casey – Juno and the Paycock (1956, Box Set, Vinyl)".
  25. ^ "Sean O'Casey, Siobhan McKenna, Cyril Cusack, Maire Kean, Seamus Kavanagh – Juno and the Paycock (1973, Vinyl)".
  26. ^ "IBDB Entry for Juno". Retrieved 6 October 2014.
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