MacIntyre, Tom (1931– )

Irish playwright. His drama is best known for its experimentation with dance, mime, and surrealistic imagery. Born in County Cavan, MacIntyre was educated at University College, Dublin, and first published short stories before turning to the theatre with Eye-Winker, Tom Tinker (1972). Several of his plays are very short, the most intriguing of which is The Great Hunger (1983), an adaptation of a poem by Patrick Kavanagh. Other works include The Bearded Lady (1984), Fleurs-du-Lit (1994), a volume of poetry, and short stories such as ‘The Harper's Turn’ (1982).

After leaving college, MacIntyre began his career teaching English in Ireland and at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and other centres in the USA.