Borstal Boy (play)
Encyclopedia
Borstal Boy is a play adapted by Frank McMahon
from the 1958 autobiographical novel of Irish nationalist Brendan Behan
of the same title
. The play debuted in 1967 at the Abbey Theatre
in Dublin, with Frank Grimes
as the young Behan. McMahon won a New York Drama Critics' Circle
Award in 1970 and Tony Award
in 1970 for his adaptation.
, a British
juvenile jail, at Hollesley Bay
. The book was originally banned in Ireland
for obscenity.
The story is a recounting of Behan's imprisonment at Hollesley Bay
for carrying explosives into the United Kingdom
, with intent to cause explosions on a mission for the I.R.A.. A young, idealistic Behan, over the three years of his sentence, softening his radical stance and warming to the other prisoners.
and Nye Heron in 2000.
Frank McMahon (author)
Frank McMahon was an Irish American author and playwright perhaps best known for his play Borstal Boy, an adaptation of the Brendan Behan novel of the same title, which won Frank a prestigious Tony Award....
from the 1958 autobiographical novel of Irish nationalist Brendan Behan
Brendan Behan
Brendan Francis Behan was an Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, and playwright who wrote in both Irish and English. He was also an Irish republican and a volunteer in the Irish Republican Army.-Early life:...
of the same title
Borstal Boy
Borstal Boy is an autobiographical 1958 book by Brendan Behan. The story depicts a young, fervently idealistic Behan who loses his naïveté over the three years of his sentence to a juvenile borstal, softening his radical Republican stance and warming to his fellow British prisoners...
. The play debuted in 1967 at the Abbey Theatre
Abbey Theatre
The Abbey Theatre , also known as the National Theatre of Ireland , is a theatre located in Dublin, Ireland. The Abbey first opened its doors to the public on 27 December 1904. Despite losing its original building to a fire in 1951, it has remained active to the present day...
in Dublin, with Frank Grimes
Frank Grimes (actor)
Frank Grimes is an Irish stage and screen actor.Grimes was born in Dublin. He achieved his first major success as the young Brendan Behan in the 1967 stage adaptation of Behan's autobiography, Borstal Boy, at the Abbey Theatre...
as the young Behan. McMahon won a New York Drama Critics' Circle
New York Drama Critics' Circle
The New York Drama Critics' Circle is made up of 24 drama critics from daily newspapers, magazines and wire services based in the New York City metropolitan area. The organization was founded in 1935 at the Algonquin Hotel by a group that included Brooks Atkinson, Walter Winchell, and Robert Benchley...
Award in 1970 and Tony Award
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
in 1970 for his adaptation.
Plot synopsis
The title takes its name from the borstalBorstal
A borstal was a type of youth prison in the United Kingdom, run by the Prison Service and intended to reform seriously delinquent young people. The word is sometimes used loosely to apply to other kinds of youth institution or reformatory, such as Approved Schools and Detention Centres. The court...
, a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
juvenile jail, at Hollesley Bay
Hollesley Bay (HM Prison)
HM Prison Hollesley Bay, known locally as Hollesley Bay Colony or simply The Colony, is a Category D men's prison and Young Offenders Institution, located in the village of Hollesley, about 8 miles from the town of Woodbridge in Suffolk, England...
. The book was originally banned in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
for obscenity.
The story is a recounting of Behan's imprisonment at Hollesley Bay
Hollesley Bay
Hollesley Bay may refer to:* Hollesley Bay , near Woodbridge, Suffolk* HMS Hollesley Bay a Bay-class anti-aircraft frigate of the British Royal Navy* Hollesley Bay, Suffolk, part of the coast of Suffolk near the village of Hollesley...
for carrying explosives into the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, with intent to cause explosions on a mission for the I.R.A.. A young, idealistic Behan, over the three years of his sentence, softening his radical stance and warming to the other prisoners.
Film adaptations
The novel was adapted for film by Peter SheridanPeter Sheridan
Peter Sheridan is an Irish playwright, screenwriter and director. He lives in the north side of Dublin.His plays have a lyrical, vivid style amid tough dialog highlighting the difficulty and the promise of life in Ireland's capital. Awards include the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature...
and Nye Heron in 2000.