The documentary vividly tells the story of the Abbey Theatre through the experiences of a renowned cast of artists closely associated with it, including Siobhan McKenna, Maureen Delaney, Harry Brogan, Shelah Richards, Cyril Cusack and Seán O’Casey.

From our origins, to memories of W.B. Yeats and Lady Gregory, the great fire in the 60s, and the riots during the first run of The Plough and the Stars, see the National Theatre of Ireland through the lens of a different era.

Watch Cradle of Genius here and browse the rest of the IFI Archive here. Image: Abbey Theatre Archive.