Ballyvogan by Arthur Lloyd

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Ballyvogan by Arthur Lloyd

Ballyvogan
A Play (Extravaganza) In FOUR Acts

ACT 1- SCENE 1

Irish Cottage with a pretty view of Irish scenery in background. Pat Hogan enters with a pig. Pat declares his love for Norah O’Sullivan.

ACT 1 - SCENE 2

Four years have elapsed since Scene l. Front interior of Mrs O’Sullivan’s cottage. Father Connell and Norah talk about the loss of the ‘Pandora’ off Australian Coast and presumed death of Gerald and Pat Hogan on their journey back home. Mrs O’sullivan’s long behind with the rents. The Hon Bobbie Bowser admits being in love with Norah. Mr McCrindle (Agent) threatens to turn Norah and her mother out of the cottage for non-payment of rent.

ACT 2 - SCENE 1

Pat Hogan wandering about on his own. A creek. High rocks each side of the stage. Water rolling in small waves across the sands. A small hut against a rock L. On the right sticks crossed gypsy fashion with a pot hanging over the fire. On top of a rock L is a shirt hanging on a pole for a flag. Branson (or double) in the hut. Gerald and Sleeky discovered attending to the pot. All unshaven and ragged. Branson decides to pass himself off as the Baronet - says he will murder him. They sight a ship. Branson fires gun at Gerald. Ship goes away

ACT 3 - SCENE 1

As Act 1. Mr McCrindle is telling Mrs O’Sullivan how good it is that the young Master was rescued. At the Hall, Sir Gerald and Miss Redmond are to be married. Miss Redmond finds it difficult to understand Branson’s ignorance of the area. Branson meets Nora and talks coldly to her. Nora reproaches him about the promises he made four years ago to her. Branson then accuses Nora of stealing a locket belonging to but it is Nora’s. Mr McCrindle discovers Branson to be the bank forger. The real Gerald unmasks himself. Constables arrest Branson.

ACT 4 - SCENE 1

Gerald is locked up mistakenly for Branson at the County Police Office.

ACT 4 - SCENE 2

Large room in Ballyvogan used as a Court. All ends happily and the real Gerald marries Nora. The last speech declares Nora to be the one and only ‘Pet of Ballyvogan’.

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This is such a rough and ready guide to the play but I only had half an hour to read the play at the British Museum and have missed a few scenes. All the men in this play are in love with Nora. ‘Ballyvogan’ played for three years between 1887 - 1890. It was an extravaganza with a lot of music and funny business probably - not to mention some stunning effects. Nora - a teenager, was of course played by Katty King who was thirty-six and a mother of six children. She must have still been very pretty. She played the role 500 times even when she was ill and dying. Katty died in 1891 aged thirty-nine.

…compiled by Norman King Lloyd – March 1998

See his website here...