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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