The history of Irish theatre begins with the rise of the English
administration in Dublin at the start of the 17th century. In the
early days of its history, theatrical productions in Ireland tended
to serve the political purposes of the administration, but as more
theatres opened and the popular audience grew, a more diverse range
of entertainments were staged. Many Dublin-based theatres developed
links with their London equivalents and performers and productions
from the English capital frequently found their way to the Irish
stage. However, most Irish playwrights from William Congreve to
George Bernard Shaw found it necessary to go abroad to establish
themselves. At the beginning of the 20th century, theatres and
theatre companies dedicated to the staging of Irish plays and the
development of indigenous writers, directors and performers began to
emerge. This allowed many of the most significant Irish dramatists
to learn their trade and establish their reputations at home rather
than in Britain or the United States.
Reah the rest of this article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_theatre
Today's selected anniversaries:
1862 - The Emancipation Proclamation was issued by the Lincoln
administration.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emancipation_Proclamation)
1869 - Richard Wagner's opera Das Rheingold debuted in Munich.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Das_Rheingold)
1961 - Peace Corps was founded. Within two years, over 7,300 Peace
Corps volunteers were serving in 44 countries.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace_Corps)
1980 - Iraq launched an invasion of Iran, starting the Iran-Iraq War.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran-Iraq_War)
1989 - Famed American composer Irving Berlin died in his sleep at age 101.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irving_Berlin)
Wikiquote of the day:
"Human history becomes more and more a race between education and
catastrophe." ~ H. G. Wells
(
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/H._G._Wells)