The play was first staged at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin on September 28, 1964.[2] The production, directed by Hilton Edwards, then transferred to Broadway in the United States, where it premiered on February 16, 1966 at the original Helen Hayes Theatre,[3] by the David Merrick Arts Foundation, with arrangement by Oscar Lewenstein and Michael White.[4] It ran for 326 performances, and received several Tony Award nominations, including for Best Play and Best Director.[5]
In 2004, the play was performed through the Association of Regional Theatres Northern Ireland, directed by Adrian Dunbar and produced by Andrea Montgomery.[6] Second Age Theatre Company staged the play in 2007, directed by Alan Stanford. This production toured Ireland, stopping off at Donegal, Ennis, Dublin and Cork, as well as New York, Texas and California in the United States.[7]
Noel Pearson produced a revival of the play at Dublin's Gaiety Theatre in March/April 2010.[8] In 2012 the play was staged at Donmar Warehouse Theatre in London.[9]
Andrew Flynn directed the play at Lyric Theatre, Belfast in February/March 2014.[10] In October 2021, Patrick Talbot Productions presented the play at Cork Opera House. The cast included Alex Murphy as Private Gar.[11]
The play is on the syllabus for English Higher Level and Ordinary Level for the Irish Leaving Certificate examinations, as well as the English A1 course of the International Baccalaureate.[12]
