2007, 24 minutes, RTÉ
A documentary looking back at the Playboy riots of 1907 and more recent theatrical controversies, introducing both the play itself and looks at the background of that dramatic night in the Abbey 100 years ago. Focusing on the tensions between the Anglo-Irish Synge, Yeats and Lady Gregory and the audience of the national theatre which they had founded, Playboys and Rebels looks at how those tensions erupted, how the controversy was fuelled and how Yeats and Synge very much differed in their attitude towards and handling of the troubles. Bringing these type of controversies up to date, and showing that they are still in evidence in modern day Ireland, Playboys and Rebels looks at more recent theatrical works which angered the masses and sparked controversy for the playwrights involved
Credits
Executive Producer – Adrian McCarthy
Editor – Paul Mullen
Producer – Martha O’Neill
Director – Robert Quinn
Contributors include Christopher Morash, Diarmuid Ferriter, John O’Donoghue, Anne Enright, Fiach MacConghail, Colm Tóibín and Garry Hynes.