Life
Author of Melonfarmer (Peacock 1997), showing contemporary Dublin
through eyes of a young ‘jackeen’, Sean; the playwright is a
nephew of Jennifer Johnston.
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Works
“Melonfarmer”, in Judy Friel & Sanford Sternlicht, ed. &
intro., New Plays from the Abbey Theatre, Vol 2: 1996-1998 (Syracuse
UP 2001).
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Commentary
Eamonn Kelly, review of Judy Friel & Sanford Sternlicht, ed.
& intro., New Plays from the Abbey Theatre, Vol 2: 1996-1998
(Syracuse UP 2001): ‘In Melonfarmer the city [Dublin] is revealed
as a no-holds-barred embrace of nihilism in the form of drink, drugs and
sexual gymnastics unfazed by gender boundaries. Amidst the revelry Sean
Spence carried the ancestral memory of Catholic guilt as he tries to come
to terms with the apparently easy promiscuity taking place all around
him. Howver, the people don’t seem to be any happier for all the
fun they appear to be having [...] Johnston’s people are funny in
their troubles, the writing sharp and witty, and his play a welcome irreverent
shot in the arm of the Irish stage.’ (Books Ireland, Summer 2003,
p.152.)
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