are innocence set against the political motives and ambitions of others; and the arbitrary power of authority. It examines the Anglo-Irish relationship, and the Irish themselves. Behan uses Brechtian techniques of directly addressing the audience, using song and dance to offset the tragedy of the situation. Performance An Giall was first performed at the Damer Theatre, Dublin, in June 1958. It was translated into English, by Behan, and had its London première at Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop at the Theatre Royal Stratford East in October of the same year. It subsequently transferred to the West End theatre and Broadway. Theatre Workshop used improvisational theatre to develop performance, and the text was revised during production, in a collaboration between Behan, Littlewood and the cast. The play was the West End début of actor Stephen Lewis. The Hostage was also played at the Four Courts, Dublin, and at The Embankment, Tallaght, Co. Dublin in 1969 directed by Don Foley and Eamon Draper. The role of Teresa was played by Marie Rafferty and Leslie was played by Jerry Woods. During the Embankment performances, the cast met Brendan Behan's mother and pictures were taken, one of which was printed in a Dublin newspaper. A review was also published in the Dublin press. Script The Hostage, by Brendan Behan (1970) Methuen Drama References 1958 plays Plays by Brendan Behan