Deirdre
One act play by W.B. Yeats, first performed in 1905. As it was not well received at the beginning, Yeats published a revised version in 1907. With the leading English actress, Mrs Cambbell, as Deirdre, it was performed at the Abbey Theatre and eventually became a success.
Deirdre is originally a figure of Irish mythology. In Yeats's play she becomes a symbol of hope for the freedom of Ireland.
Plot
Deirdre has fled from king Conchubar, to whom she was promised, in order to live with the warrior Naoise. After seven years of an isolated life together, Naoise and Deirdre receive the message that the king has forgiven them and wants a reconciliation.
However, when Deirdre and Naoise return to the kingdom, it soon turns out that Conchubar's forgiveness was just a pretence. Conchubar wants to meet Deirdre in private and has Naoise caught and assassinated. The king tries to woo Deirdre and make her his wife. Deirdre however chooses suicide and kills herself with a dagger on top of her beloved Naoise.
Deirdre is a typical one-act play. It has no changes of time and place. There is no exposition. Further the play evolves around one existential moment. The characters are all stock characters.
References
Yeats, William Butler. Deirdre. [place??]: Nabu Press, 2010.