A Touch of the Poet

He had been born with wealth in a castle. He had been a major with the Duke of Wellington at the Battle of Talavera. And now he is determined to show his pride and importance to the Yankee townsmen

He makes a great show of it, cantering about on a blooded mare, quoting poetry at his majestic image in a mirror, donning his splendid British uniform and celebrating each anniversary of Talavera. But the show deludes only himself

He is an Irishman of humble origin in a strange and unfriendly civilization. He is totally in debt. His wife keeps the tavern going; unaccountably, this long-suffering woman adores him. His spirited daughter, whom he treats like a servant and berates as a slut, hates him

But his arrogance continues until at last he is beaten by the Yankee enemy - literally beaten into a coma. So now he kills himself with a dueling pistol. Not by shooting himself, but by shooting his beloved mare, his one great show piece

This deed means the death of the past, the death of his pretensions and the birth of a new Con Melody" ~ NY News

Though available in other formats,this isthe acting edition

"Given Eugene O'Neill and a cast of superb actors, the effect on the stage is electric. The play is A Touch of the Poet" ~ NY Times

"In our opinion A Touch of the Poet spells magnificent theatre. It held our attention with the grip of a vise" ~ NY Mirror

"With A Touch of the Poet, the new theatre season takes on dignity and importance" ~ NY Post