The Rope Dancers: A Play in Three Acts

by Morton Wishengrad

5 m, 4 f/ Int. This poetic drama starred Art Carney and Siobhan McKenna in the New York premiere. The story reveals the struggles of an Irish American couple at the turn of the century whose daughter has been born with six fingers on her left hand and who later becomes the victim of what appears to be St. Vitus' Dance. Margaret Hyland is convinced that the child's suffering is punishment from God, penance for James' alcoholism. Believing that the guilt is partially her own, she has become embittered, resentful and distant. Resolved in tragedy, the torments, repressions and denials of human beings caught in a inevitable maelstrom they can neither understand nor resist.

80 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[Kristi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This 1957 drama starred Art Carney and Siobhan McKenna in the New York premiere. The story reveals the struggles of an Irish American couple at the turn of the century whose daughter has been born with six fingers on her left hand and who later becomes the victim of what appears to be St. Vitus' Dance. Margaret Hyland is convinced that the child's suffering is punishment from God, penance for James' alcoholism. Believing that the guilt is partially her own, she has become embittered, resentful and distant. Resolved in tragedy, the torments, repressions and denials of human beings caught in a inevitable maelstrom they can neither understand nor resist. I found the story deeply sad because the child suffers because of her parents' inability to solve their own neuroses and irresponsibility. Cannot recommend. Kristi & Abby Tabby