THE STEWARD OF CHRISTENDOM

For me, all great playwrights are poets. All poets are not necessarily playwrights. Sebastian is both. This is the story of an Irish policeman loyal to the then English monarch who reaches the top of his profession, only to be reduced to the poor house in his old age, with the establishment of the Irish Free State. Barry's sensitivity to the fallen giants of history, and his rare talent in the use of words make him the young playwright of today whose work is most likely to last. Like Shakespeare, he writes wonderfully deep characters for actors and actresses to play. Those who saw the late Donal McCann play the title role play will understand what I say.

Here, Tina Kellegher and Donal McCann in "The Steward of Christendom" at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.