The Play

Abstract

Although Barry Fitzgerald and Sara Allgood appeared in the original stormy performance of Juno and the Paycock in Dublin in 1924, they have never appeared together in New York until now.’ Miss Allgood played Juno in the troupe of Irish players that brought the O’Casey drama here in 1927.² Barry Fitzgerald played Captain Boyle with the visiting Abbey Theatre company in 1932 and 1934.³ By happy chance they are now free to play together again in a revival put on at the Mansfield last evening. The performance as a whole needs considerable sharpening of mood to convey the tragic bitterness that hangs over this savage portrait of the Irish revolution. But count it as a dispensation to have two such glorious actors as Miss Allgood and Mr Fitzgerald in immortal parts that suit them. They are both in fine fettle just now.

The New York Times (17 Jan. 1940).