Next Stage Press

Christy Mahon stumbles into Flaherty's pub on the west coast of Ireland, claiming that he is on the run because he killed his own father by sinking a spade into his father's head. Flaherty praises Christy for his bravery, and Flaherty's daughter (and the barmaid), Pegeen, falls in love with Christy, to the dismay of her betrothed, Shawn. Because of the boldness of Christy's deed and the skill with which he tells his own story, he becomes something of a town hero. Many other women also become attracted to him, including the Widow Quin, who tries unsuccessfully to seduce Christy at Shawn's request. Christy also impresses the village girls by his victory at the village race. Christy's father, Mahon, who was only wounded, eventually tracks him to the pub. When the townsfolk realize that Christy's father is alive, everyone (including Pegeen) shuns him as a liar and a coward. In order to regain Pegeen's love and the respect of the town, Christy attacks his father a second time. This time it seems that Old Mahon really is dead, but instead of praising Christy, the townspeople, led by Pegeen, prepare to hang him to avoid being implicated as accessories to his crime. Christy's life is saved when his father, beaten and bloodied, crawls back onto the scene, having improbably survived his son's second attack. As Christy and his father leave to wander the world, Shawn suggests he and Pegeen get married soon, but she spurns him. Pegeen then laments betraying and losing Christy, The Playboy of the Western World. This volume is comb bound on 8 1/2 by 11 paper and includes the full vocal score.