Exiles - A Play in Three Acts

Written during the early years of World War I, Exiles is James Joyce’s only play, a deeply introspective and emotionally charged study of love, fidelity, and personal freedom.

Echoing themes from the final story in Dubliners and foreshadowing the psychological depth of Ulysses, this three-act drama offers a rare glimpse into Joyce’s exploration of the human heart through theatrical form. At the centre of Exiles is the complex relationship between Richard Rowan, a writer returned from exile, and his wife Bertha. Their fraught dynamic unfolds with the quiet intensity of a chamber piece, laying bare the emotional and moral ambiguities of intimacy and autonomy.

A striking departure from Joyce’s better-known experimental prose, Exiles reveals his enduring preoccupation with identity, loyalty, and artistic freedom. First published in 1918, this play remains essential reading for lovers of modern drama and Joyce aficionados alike.