<b>"A Sceptic in a Credulous World": re-evaluating the work of Stewart Parker on the twentieth anniversary of his death</b><br>

Resumo

This paper aims to survey and re-evaluate the work of Northern Irish writer, Stewart Parker, following the twentieth anniversary of his death in November 2008. The paper takes into account work collected and published in 2008 that had been previously available only in archives. The focus is upon the alternative images of Northern Ireland that are to be found in Parker's dramatic writings. These alternative versions might be informally divided into two categories: the work that deals with specific historical events or moments, and the work which more generally addresses conditions of existence in and attitudes to Northern Ireland. In both what is of most consequence is personal experience and individual will to transcend or survive the constraints of circumstance. It is this quality which has led commentators to remark upon the humanistic and humane tenor of Parker's work and remains as captivating today as it did more than twenty years ago. The plays discussed include Spokesong, Northern Star, Pentecost, The Iceberg, I'm a Dreamer Montreal, Iris in the Traffic, Ruby in the Rain and Lost Belongings.