Our Irish Theatre: A chapter of autobiography

"Our Irish Theatre: A chapter of autobiography" by Lady Gregory is an autobiographical account written in the early 20th century. The memoir delves into the author's experiences and contributions to the establishment of the Irish Theatre movement, highlighting her collaboration with prominent figures like W.B. Yeats and Edward Martyn. The text serves as both a personal reflection and a historical account of the challenges and triumphs faced while striving to create a national theatre in Ireland. At the start of the narrative, Lady Gregory recounts her motivations for writing and her interactions with notable individuals who influenced her journey in theatre. She reflects on her initial discussions with Yeats about forming an Irish theatre, the fundraising efforts that followed, and the various plays they planned to produce. The opening chapters illustrate the sense of urgency and hope that surrounded the theatrical movement, while also hinting at the obstacles they faced, not only in securing a venue but also in navigating public reception and criticism of their works. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Isabella Augusta, Lady Gregory was an Anglo-Irish dramatist, folklorist and theatre manager. With William Butler Yeats and Edward Martyn, she co-founded the Irish Literary Theatre and the Abbey Theatre, and wrote numerous short works for both companies. Lady Gregory produced a number of books of retellings of stories taken from Irish mythology. Born into a class that identified closely with British rule, she turned against it. Her conversion to cultural nationalism, as evidenced by her writings, was emblematic of many of the political struggles that occurred in Ireland during her lifetime.