The book begins with an overview of the significant events and changes in Ireland during most of the nineteenth century, an evolution aimed at helping to put in perspective key developments in Irish life that directly and indirectly influenced the imaginations and singular creative talents of dramatists. It discusses the kind of theatre the Queens was as Irelands National Theatre in the nineteenth century, and how it paved the way for the emergence of the Abbey as Irelands National Theatre designate, supported by the Irish Government. A chapter discusses all the original plays both in English and Irish presented during the Interregnum, treated as reflections of how the writers craft illuminates the time they live in. A related chapter lists all productions old and new to show the evolution of the Abbey and its theatrical tastes over the past century. The programmes of all first productions in English and Irish during the Interregnum provide a link with Lennox Robinsons of! ficial history, Irelands Abbey Theatre (1951), and serve as an aide memoire of authors, actors, producers, and scene designers who contributed to the staging of these dramasin short, the activities of the theatre in full spate.

The biographical sketches focus on those playwrights who contributed new works during the Interregnum, and personal observations by some of the authors about their work. The appendices offer summaries of the plays of the period, and embody information going back to the earliest years of the Abbeys theatrical life.