O’Casey’s searing political drama The Plough and the Stars is set at the time of the bloody Easter Rising of 1916, the seminal event in the progress towards an Irish state. 

They are a varied lot from the colourful handyman Fluther Good, to Nora and Jack Clitheroe, a couple divided by the conflicting needs of living and dying for one’s country. Other characters include the ranting socialist Young Covey and Bessie Burgess, the formidable drunken mother of an Irish boy fighting in World War I.  Despite being on the breadline and fighting for survival, the characters ignite the play with their banter, humour and rancour until tragedy strikes and the full horror and waste of the fight for freedom is realised.